After nearly 17 years with TBS, popular announcer Sylvia Kato officially bids farewell to the network on February 28. The 39-year-old made the announcement on her Instagram, reflecting on her long tenure and expressing her heartfelt gratitude to the viewers, colleagues, and staff who supported her throughout her career.
Kato posted with a cheerful smile, holding up a personalized mug gifted to her as part of her farewell celebration. “Today, I have officially retired from TBS, where I have been cared for about 17 years. Many memories come flooding back, but I am truly filled with gratitude for everyone who has watched, supported, and worked with me,” she wrote appreciatively. “Thank you very much!”
She continued her message with aspirations for the future, emphasizing her focus on her impending childbirth and expressing hopes of returning to the public eye after her maternity leave: “First, I want to concentrate on my upcoming delivery, and I wish to see everyone again somewhere down the line!”
The positive reactions to Kato's announcement flooded her comments section, with many well-wishers sending encouraging messages, including hopes for her to have a healthy child. One of her colleagues, ex-NTV announcer Mika Oguma, who joined the industry around the same time as Kato, commented: “Sylvie, thank you for your hard work! Please take care of your body! I will come to see you again!”
Kato's career is notable not only for its lengthy duration but also for her academic background, graduating from Ochanomizu University and later earning her master’s degree from Hitotsubashi University’s Graduate School of International and Public Policy after joining TBS in April 2008.
Since joining TBS, Kato has played significant roles on various shows, including being part of the crew for programs such as “Hana Maru Market” from her first year and “Minomonta’s Asa Zuba” starting from her third year. She tied the knot with her husband, whom she married in 2016, and over the years has successfully balanced her family life, giving birth to four children; her first son arrived in 2017, followed by daughters born in 2018, 2021, and her pregnancy announcement for the fourth child reported on December 27 last year. Kato took maternity leave following her third child and returned to TBS in April 2023. She made her departure announcement upon her appearance on TBS’s “N-Sta.”
This marks the end of a significant chapter for Kato at TBS, as she now prepares to embrace motherhood once again. Her departure evokes a mix of nostalgia among her fans and colleagues, who are eager to see what future endeavors await her after she takes time for her family.