[Important] ABEMA to Premiere New Original Romance Program 'Renai Byoin' on April 2, 2026, at 10 PM JST; Pre-Interviews with Participants Including Shinji Ishimaru Reveal True Feelings of 'Adults Who Have Forgotten Love'

The new future TV 'ABEMA' will broadcast the original romance program 'Renai Byoin' (6 episodes in total) starting Thursday, April 2, 2026, at 10 PM. Ahead of the broadcast, pre-interviews with the participating members have been released.

'Renai Byoin' is a romance program where adults who have become so engrossed in their work that they have forgotten about love, confront love through a 3-day, 2-night cohabitation. Ten men and women who have been active at the forefront of various fields such as politics, economics, and culture will gather, unfolding a love documentary of awkward adults.

Announcement Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgQTZ3IQPDE

We would appreciate it if you could embed this video in your article.

The pre-interviews released this time feature the participating members confessing their romantic 'symptoms.' Their true feelings are revealed, including why they need rehabilitation and their conflicts and anxieties about love.

Pre-Interview Viewing URL: https://abema.go.link/fDo6J

◾️ 'Not Interested in Love' Shinji (Former Aki-Takatashi Mayor, Shinji Ishimaru / 43 years old)

--What are your current feelings about participating?

To be honest, I'm still struggling. I'm already filled with the feeling of 'Was this the right decision...?' But conversely, I am honestly looking forward to it. It's a theme I haven't consciously thought about for several years, so I wonder what kind of state of mind I'll be in when I have to confront it. I have emotions, I have likes and dislikes, joys and sorrows, so I'm excited to see how I'll react to stimuli that I haven't experienced much before.

--When was the last time you were in love?

I wonder when that was. It feels like a very long time ago. It's difficult to measure how much of a 'love' it was. Rather, I'd like to ask everyone, 'Was that love serious?' (laughs) I'd especially like to ask those who are married. Can everyone confidently say 'yes'?

--Why did you forget how to love?

Did I even know how to begin with? I doubt that everyone knows and practices it. I'm always skeptical or anxious about human relationships, not just romance. Even with family, I've thought since I was old enough to understand, 'What are these people to me? What am I to these people?' So, it's natural for me to be more cautious with a woman I don't know well.

◾️ 'I Can Only Love Someone Superior to Me' Asa (University of Tokyo Graduate Student & Miss University of Tokyo, Asa Kamiya / 25 years old)

--What are your current feelings about participating?

I'm 25 years old, and I want to get married! At 25, my mother was already married and had my older sister, so I want to get married soon too. I'm serious, so I brought my marriage registration. I've already written my name on it. I came here with the sole intention of deciding here.

--What is your dating style?

My way of thinking is very old-fashioned; I'm the type who wants to be led by a man. I can't respect a man unless he's superior to me in everything. So, I want to 'lose' (to him). But I haven't found such a person yet (laughs).

--What is your ideal type?

Appearance-wise, I like clean-looking gorillas. The muscular type, the kind who could hunt mammoths in prehistoric times. I generally like people who seem hairy. Gorillas are loyal to their group. When they fight, they throw their own dung to protect their companions, and I idealize someone with that kind of mindset. Until now, I've prioritized intelligence and sense, so I haven't paid much attention to appearance, but when it comes to marriage, it's a different story (laughs).

◾️ 'I Want to Live Freely Without Responsibility' Ryusei (Entrepreneur & General Director of 'Reiwa no Tora', Ryusei Kuwata / 40 years old)

--When was the last time you were in love?

I suppose it was marriage. Although we divorced, that was the last time. We divorced because continuing the marriage might have made us unhappy, so while I want to be in love, I don't want to get married. Ultimately, that hurts the other person, so I think it's better not to be in love. I feel like it's an era where responsibility is measured by marriage, so I think it's better not to get married.

--What was the reason for deciding to participate?

I believe it's not good to think that a certain way of thinking is correct. In other words, you shouldn't become stubborn. My desire not to get married might seem stubborn, right? It might change with some trigger. So, I wanted to try it once.

◾️ 'Work-First Brain Causes Love Emotions to Stall' Haruka (Entrepreneur & Former Car Mechanic, Haruka Ikeda / 30 years old)

--Why did you forget how to love?

I was so busy with work that I gradually stopped understanding what love is. I wondered if I had the time for romance. I hadn't been in a relationship for a long time, and my priority for it dropped even further, and before I knew it, I turned 30 (laughs). I don't really know how to communicate outside of work. Even if I suspect someone might be approaching me romantically, the consequences of not having dated catch up, and I don't know how to interact with such people, so I freeze.

--What is your dating style?

I have a habit of thinking rationally, and people call me a 'rationalist.' I'm actually very emotional, deeply loving, and considerate, but I find myself thinking about things like, 'How many people do I need to meet to get married?' or thinking in terms of probabilities. People often tell me, 'Is marriage something you think about rationally with numbers?' The habit of thinking rationally at work has led me to become accustomed to suppressing my own emotions.

--What was the reason for deciding to participate?

If I appear on this show, I can meet many people at once (laughs). I know that saying that is rational, but I decided to participate because I consider it a rare new encounter for me.

◾️ 'Too Honest with My Feelings' Hideo (Ultraman Lead Actor, Hideo Ishiguro / 37 years old)

--Why did you forget how to love?

After turning 30, I stopped understanding what romance is. It became difficult to build something from scratch, and rather than spending time on it, I prioritized work and time alone. Recently, I've been thinking, 'I'll probably be single forever,' or 'I probably won't get married.'

Also, my personality is very straightforward. It's hard for me to say things indirectly, and I tend to say unnecessary things. My girlfriend in school used to say, 'You say things you don't need to say.'

--Do you think your 'symptoms' will be cured?

I don't know. I really don't know. If I knew, I wouldn't be struggling, right? I'd probably be married by now (laughs).

◾️ 'Divorced & Bankrupt, No Time for Romance' Erina (Former Entrepreneur & Single Mother, Airina Hirakawa / 33 years old)

--Why did you forget how to love?

I'm afraid to trust people in relationships. I think it's better not to trust from the beginning if I'm going to be betrayed. The decision to divorce was also due to relationship issues. I hated seeing myself constantly troubled and crying, so I divorced to escape that version of myself.

--What is your goal this time?

I have no experience dating while having a child, and perhaps I've been carrying too much burden. I haven't been able to show my vulnerability. Whether we end up dating or not, if I can free my heart, I think it will have been worthwhile for my life. So, I want to focus on liberating my heart.

◾️ 'Too Much Work and Muscle Training' Masakatsu (Freelance Announcer & Entrepreneur, Masakatsu Shizukishi / 32 years old)

--Why did you forget how to love?

Because I prioritized muscle training and work too much. When you're competing in bodybuilding contests, there are dietary restrictions and a set lifestyle, which reduces opportunities to go out for meals with women. It's difficult to balance romance and muscle training, but I think saying that is just an excuse. I hope this will be an opportunity for me to express myself as a man and, if possible, continue my muscle training!

--What is your goal this time?

As a freelance announcer, I often speak on behalf of others or convey atmosphere, so I don't get many opportunities to talk about myself. I want to express my own thoughts rather than reading someone else's mood or facial expressions. I want this to be a journey for Shizukishi to find himself.

◾️ 'Can't Fall in Love Because Work Mode Won't Turn Off' Izumi (Nishitokyo City Council Member, Izumi Senma / 33 years old)

--Why did you forget how to love?

I was originally an elementary school teacher for six years and worked diligently as a teacher. I often took leadership roles rather than focusing on romance. This ingrained in me the need to be strong and dependable, both with men and women, so I think I've forgotten how to be vulnerable. I do go out for meals with men sometimes, but I often end up just being friends because I can't switch to a romantic mindset...

--What was the reason for deciding to participate?

Until recently, I thought that was fine, but after turning 30, my friends started getting married, there's a second child boom, and I hear about people buying houses. My desire for romance has grown. However, I don't have opportunities to meet people, and I haven't been in a serious relationship for 10 years, so I don't know what to do. At such a time, I'm happy to have been given an opportunity to meet people with the intention of dating and facing men seriously.

◾️ 'Work First, Love Later' Yuto (Culinary Researcher, Yuto Koizumi / 30 years old)

--Why did you forget how to love?

Work is my top priority now, and romance has fallen down the priority list. I used to play as a J.League player, and my life was centered around soccer. After that changed drastically, I became unsure of how to balance romance. I also wonder if I can meet the other person's expectations.

--What is your ideal type?

Since I work in the culinary field, I try to restrain myself to maintain credibility, but in that sense, I find someone who takes care of their body and life, someone who is striving for something, to be attractive.

--What was the reason for deciding to participate?

They said 'adults who have forgotten love,' and I felt that was true. I thought it would be a good time to have new encounters and challenges at the milestone of turning 30.

◾️ 'Only Likes Handsome Men' Natsuko (Former Gravure Idol, Natsuko Tatsumi / 38 years old)

--When was the last time you were in love?

It's been quite a while since I was in serious love. I rarely fall for someone easily. It's below the Olympics level (laughs). My strike zone is quite narrow; first, they have to be handsome. I fall for someone whose demeanor is so wonderful it's like art.

--What was the reason for deciding to participate?

I wanted this to be an opportunity to change myself, not just in romance, but in all aspects of meeting people. I just talked about my ideals, but somewhere in my heart, I know that 'that alone isn't enough,' so I hope I can change.

■ 'Mr. Ishimaru' Trends! Huge Reaction on Social Media Upon Announcement! Studio Observer Hiroyuki: 'A Program Like a Mystery'

Following the announcement of the program, there was a significant reaction on social media, with 'Mr. Ishimaru' trending and garnering attention.

Many expressed surprise and anticipation due to the unusual nature of the project, with comments like, 'Is Shinji Ishimaru going to date?' 'I can't imagine this cast in a romance program,' and 'What kind of romance program will ReHacQ make?'

Furthermore, prominent figures such as entrepreneur Takafumi Horie, Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura, editor Kosuke Minowa, and author Hiroyasu Otake have commented on the program. Hiroyuki, who will be a studio observer for the program, commented, 'It's a romance for people who are bad at socializing, so it's like a mystery program where you analyze their actions while understanding the psychology of shy people,' generating significant buzz even before its broadcast.

Will they be able to confront 'love' again? The new program 'Renai Byoin' will begin airing on 'ABEMA' on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at 10 PM JST. Please look forward to this unique romance program that delves into the 'love and lives' of adults.

■ 'Renai Byoin' Broadcast Overview

Broadcast Date & Time: Starting April 2, 2026 (Thursday), every Thursday at 10 PM JST

Broadcast Channel: ABEMA SPECIAL Channel

Cast: Allen-sama, Hiroyuki, Yoko Maki, Tina Tamashiro

Pre-Interviews: https://abema.go.link/fDo6J

Announcement Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgQTZ3IQPDE

▼ 10 Participants of 'Renai Byoin' (in Japanese alphabetical order)

＜Male Participants＞

Shinji (Shinji Ishimaru / 43 years old)

Hideo (Hideo Ishiguro / 37 years old)

Masakatsu (Masakatsu Shizukishi / 32 years old)

Yuto (Yuto Koizumi / 30 years old)

Ryusei (Ryusei Kuwata / 40 years old)

＜Female Participants＞

Asa (Asa Kamiya / 25 years old)

Izumi (Izumi Senma / 33 years old)

Erina (Airina Hirakawa / 33 years old)

Natsuko (Natsuko Tatsumi / 38 years old)

Haruka (Haruka Ikeda / 30 years old)

*Ages are as of the broadcast.

*When using images, please include the credit: (C) AbemaTV, Inc.

■ About 'ABEMA'

'ABEMA' is a video distribution service aiming to innovate television, operating as 'New Future TV' as it approaches its 10th anniversary on April 11, 2026. Since its launch, it has provided an internet television service that is free to watch and requires no registration, offering 24-hour news channels, original dramas, romance reality shows, variety shows, anime, sports, and approximately 25 diverse channels broadcast 24/7.

It boasts the No. 1 number of original episodes in Japan among domestic video services (*), along with a rich lineup of new movies, popular domestic and international dramas, and trending anime, as well as sports broadcasts and online live events. Users can enjoy content anytime, regardless of time constraints, through TV or on-demand viewing. Through a viewing experience that is not bound by location on smartphones, PCs, tablets, and TV devices, ABEMA continues to provide content that caters to diverse lifestyles.

Additionally, 'ABEMA Premium' offers exclusive features and content for ¥1,080 (tax included) per month, and 'ABEMA Premium with Ads' offers the same exclusive content with ads for ¥580 (tax included) per month.

(*) As of November 2025, self-researched.

For the latest information, please check official social media.

New Future TV 'ABEMA' for enjoying free videos and trending content (https://abema.tv/)

'ABEMA' is celebrating its 10th anniversary with special programs, the 'ABEMA 10th Anniversary Free Grand Thanksgiving Festival,' and various other campaigns throughout the year to commemorate this milestone. Please look forward to ABEMA's 10th anniversary.

'ABEMA' 10th Anniversary Site URL: https://contents-abema.com/10th/