Bunka Hoso

Japanese entertainer Ito Shiro, 89, has announced he will retire from show business in June 2026, when he turns 90, saying his eyes, ears, brain, hips and knees are rapidly declining. His long-running radio show on Bunka Hoso, on air for about 30 years, will end with its final broadcast on June 12, 2027, and his signature TV programs are also winding down. Fellow comedians, including Machiko Kyomoto's peer Maho Hisamoto, expressed surprise but praised his comedy legacy.

Japanese broadcaster Bunka Hoso aired a special edition of the Grape Company program on October 2, hosted by comedian Shinichi and presenter Maha Takahashi. The episode featured guests Kurokoppu, who reportedly once lived with Shinichi, and Fujiwara, a comedian Shinichi admires. Fans of the show are sharing details of the lineup.