Takaaki Ishibashi

Takaaki Ishibashi (石橋 貴明, Ishibashi Takaaki, born October 22, 1961) is a Japanese comedian, singer and actor. He is best known as a member of Tunnels and Yaen with his partner Noritake Kinashi.

Takaaki Ishibashi
May 2022
Born (1961-10-22) October 22, 1961
Katsushika, Tokyo, Japan
Occupation(s)Comedian, actor, singer
Years active1984–present
Height1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)

Early life and family

Born in Katsushika, Tokyo, Japan, Ishibashi moved to Narimasu, Itabashi after his father's bankruptcy in his first grade at an elementary school. He attended Teikyo Junior & Senior High School. In November 1998, Ishibashi married actress Honami Suzuki (鈴木 保奈美).[1] The couple later had three daughters.[1] In July 2021, the couple announced they were divorcing.[1] He has several nicknames such as "Taka-san" and "Taka-chan."

Career

Ishibashi is known for "teasing" music artists on his show Utaban alongside co-host Masahiro Nakai, especially Morning Musume. He has over the years come up with different pet names for each member such as Johnson for Kaori Iida (飯田圭織) or Ka-san for Sayaka Ichii (市井紗耶香). This is apparently done purely for humor, based on comments made regarding Takaaki by his "victims," and in many cases these taunts actually increase the marketing "buzz" surrounding the artists.

Particularly well known is Ishibashi's fascination with accusing Kei Yasuda (保田圭) of anything from simple hideousness, to outright alien or supernatural evil, which started back when the group debuted. Numerous CG images will depict her as a hag or Kappa or show her in some maniacal facial expression while doing the activities she is speaking of in the interview. Both Kei and her mother apparently credit this humorous "abuse" with Kei's popularity as a member.

Ishibashi was also criticised in 2017 when he revived a 30-year-old character that played on homophobic stereotypes.[2][3]

He is also an actor known for playing Isuro Tanaka in the film Major League II and Taka Tanaka in Major League: Back to the Minors.[4]

Ishibashi is a member of the Japanese vocal group Yazima Beauty Salon.

References
  1. Lim, Ruey Yan (2021-07-18). "Tokyo Love Story actress Honami Suzuki divorces husband of 23 years". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
  2. "Fuji TV apologizes over comedy show mocking gay men". The Japan Times. 2017-10-17. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
  3. Power, Shannon (2017-10-04). "Resurrected 'gay' TV character causes stir in Japan". Gay Star News. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
  4. "A Nostalgic Favorite: Revisiting Major League II". Twins Daily. Retrieved 2021-12-14.


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