Celebrated Japanese journalist Yasushi Akutsu made waves on December 27, 2024, during her appearance as a guest on Fuji TV's talk show 'Poka Poka,' where she opened up about her past romances and thrilling experiences as a reporter.
At the show, hosted by Kanda Aika, Akutsu was met with enthusiastic praise, as Kanda expressed her admiration for the veteran journalist. "I get goosebumps just thinking about you being here!" Kanda exclaimed, setting the stage for Akutsu's heartfelt revelations.
During the lively segment, Kanda posed poignant questions aimed at delving deep beneath Akutsu’s polished exterior. Specifically, she asked, "Did you ever struggle between choosing work or love during your younger years?" Akutsu, affirming the sentiment, lifted the 'yes' card high, indicating times when those two forces collided.
Reflecting on her earlier days, Akutsu recounted moments of emotional turmoil during long overseas assignments. She recounted vividly how, as her flight to cover stories would get delayed, thoughts of love would consume her. "I cried right at the moment when we took off," Akutsu admitted, giving the audience a peep at her vulnerability.
This memory stirred laughter as she recalled her emotional struggle: "I was on the plane, thinking, ‘If the flight doesn't take off, I might as well go back for my boyfriend.’ It was such a competing feeling- wanting to pursue my career but also yearning to maintain my relationship. It's difficult especially when you're young. The heart can feel so much at once."
Akutsu reflected on the nostalgia of those romantic moments mixed with the chaos of her career. "Perhaps this makes me seem heartless, but once we reached cruising elevation, all of those feelings disappeared, and suddenly work was my focus again. It was quite the turnaround!" she chuckled.
When asked by Kanda if she had special signals with her partner back then, Akutsu shyly confessed, "Occasionally I would wear the big men’s watch he gifted me. I’d forget how it looked at times and wonder why I wore it!" The studio erupted with laughter, showcasing the light-hearted nature of the dialogue.
The discussion also meandered through poignant reflections on how the shift to digital communication has affected romantic gestures. The two women laughed about how, back then, they were able to express their feelings freely without the scrutiny of social media's watchful eye. Akutsu noted, "Given the lack of the Internet then, we had unfiltered freedom to express our feelings. It wasn't filled with pictures on everyone’s timeline."
Apart from sharing stories on romance, Akutsu also revisited fascinating aspects of her exciting career. One tale involved surviving treacherous reporting conditions like her experience with a helicopter during the French summit. She revealed how the pilot had to make spontaneous decisions during flights, stating with humor, "We ended up making unexpected landings- even landing right onto sunflower fields!"
While Akutsu showcased her experiences on screen, she did not shy away from complimenting Kanda's own blossoming career. "I think you're such a rare and bright presence on television, Aika. You light up any room you enter," she stated. This acknowledgment from Akutsu set Kanda beaming with joy.
The depth of the conversation left audiences reflecting on the costs of career-driven life choices. Akutsu's stories of romance intertwined with her professional life painted a picture of resilience and personal sacrifice.
While Akutsu's past love stories were filled with laughter and emotion, they also underscored significant lessons about life choices, the struggle of balancing love and career, and what it truly means to pursue one's passion amid personal relationships.
Throughout the episode, Akutsu balanced her candid anecdotes with reflection and humor, reinforcing her position not just as a journalist but also as someone who remains relatable to young professionals today. By the end of the hour, viewers were left inspired by her powerful stories of love and ambition.
