Hiroshi Kume (久米 宏, born 1944) is a legendary Japanese broadcaster and journalist who revolutionized the landscape of Japanese television. He is best known for shifting the paradigm of news reporting from rigid, formal announcements to engaging, critical, and "human-centered" storytelling.
Here is a detailed look at his life, career, and lasting influence on Japanese media.
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1. Early Career and the "Best Ten" Era
Born in Saitama Prefecture, Kume graduated from the prestigious Waseda University and joined TBS (Tokyo Broadcasting System) as an announcer in 1967.
Entertainment Success: Unlike traditional news anchors who start in journalism, Kume first gained national fame as an entertainment host.
The Best Ten: From 1978, he co-hosted the legendary music countdown show The Best Ten. His rapid-fire banter with co-host Tetsuko Kuroyanagi and his ability to handle live, unpredictable situations made him a household name.
Going Freelance: In 1979, at the height of his popularity, he made the bold move to leave TBS and become a freelance announcer, a rarity at the time.
2. The News Station Revolution (1985–2004)
Kume’s most significant contribution to history is "News Station" on TV Asahi. Before this program, Japanese news was strictly objective, dry, and often delivered by anchors who simply read scripts.
"News for the Common Person": Kume’s philosophy was to make news understandable even to a middle-school student. He broke the "fourth wall" by speaking directly to the audience in a conversational tone.
The Anchor as an Iconoclast: He abandoned the traditional suit-and-tie look for more casual attire and wasn't afraid to show emotion—whether it was anger, joy, or skepticism.
Visual Innovation: The show introduced large props, maps, and physical models to explain complex geopolitical or economic issues, a style that is now standard in Japanese infotainment.
Social Impact: The show maintained high ratings (often exceeding 20%) for nearly two decades, making Kume one of the most powerful influencers in Japanese public opinion.
3. Broadcasting Style and Philosophy
Kume is often described as a "Rebel with a Microphone." His style was defined by several key traits:
Anti-Establishment Stance: He was famous for criticizing the government and powerful corporations. He viewed himself as a representative of the "ordinary citizen," questioning authorities on behalf of the viewers.
Meticulous Preparation: Despite his relaxed on-air persona, Kume was known as a perfectionist. He would spend hours reading multiple newspapers and briefing documents to ensure he could speak authoritatively without a teleprompter.
The "Kume Effect": His commentary could sway public sentiment so significantly that politicians both feared and sought his approval.
4. Later Years and Legacy
After stepping down from News Station in 2004, Kume returned to his roots in radio. He hosted "Kume Hiroshi Radio Show: Let's Begin from 00" on TBS Radio for 14 years, retiring from the program in 2020.
Defining the "Caster" Role: In Japan, there is a distinction between an "announcer" (who reads news) and a "caster" (who analyzes and comments). Kume is considered the father of the modern Japanese News Caster.
Global Influence: His style of "editorialized news" influenced broadcasters across Asia. For example, some media critics note similarities between Kume’s approach and the style later adopted by famous Korean anchors like Sohn Suk-hee.
Awards: He has received numerous accolades, including the prestigious Galaxy Award for his contributions to broadcasting culture.
Summary
Hiroshi Kume transformed news from a government-adjacent lecture into a vital part of democratic discourse. Even in his 80s, he remains a symbol of intellectual curiosity and the courage to speak truth to power.
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