Monthly Income Plummets from 1.8 Million to 80,000 JPY... A Close-Up on Fruits Punch Wataru's Electrical Work Side Job Supporting His Family; Reveals His Resolve to His Wife: 'I'll Quit Comedy and Get a Proper Job.' Also Features Their First One-on-One Drink in 21 Years! From 'ABEMA Entertainment'
The ABEMA news program 'ABEMA Entertainment' features an exclusive on the comedy duo Fruits Punch. It follows Wataru, whose monthly income dropped from 1.8M to 80k JPY due to the pandemic, leading him to work as a licensed electrician to support his family. The special also captures the duo's complex relationship and current reality.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 7, 2026 at 04:32
- 🔍 Collected: April 6, 2026 at 20:00
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 7, 2026 at 00:03 (4h 3m after Collected)
The 'new future of television,' ABEMA, broadcasts the news program 'ABEMA Entertainment' on its 'ABEMA NEWS Channel,' delivering carefully selected entertainment information.
In a recent installment of 'ABEMA Entertainment's' close-up segment 'NO MAKE,' the program exclusively documented the 'now' of the comedy duo Fruits Punch. The full episode is currently available for free on ABEMA.
In this special, the program followed Kenshi Murakami and Kentaro Wataru of Fruits Punch, now in their 21st year as a duo. It documented their 'first-ever one-on-one drink' in 21 years and also accompanied Wataru to his 'electrical construction part-time job.'
Wataru's monthly income, which was 1.8 million JPY at their peak, plummeted to as low as 80,000 JPY during the COVID-19 pandemic. Reflecting on that time, Wataru confessed, 'I was desperate. I was using up my savings.' He also revealed the resolve he shared with his wife: 'My wife must have been very anxious. She told me to be honest if our income was unstable and life was getting tough. I told her that if it came to that, I would quit comedy and get a proper job.' To support his family of four, Wataru obtained a national license as a 'Type 2 Electrical Construction Operator' in 2023 and now diligently works part-time in electrical construction. He works about 15 days a month, and his income from comedy and his part-time job are roughly equal. At the electrical site, he expressed his job satisfaction, saying, 'I feel relieved at this moment. You can clearly see that 'it's become brighter.''
Just three years after their formation, the duo quickly rose to fame on comedy shows like 'Bakusho Red Carpet.' However, as their schedules became extremely busy, their relationship gradually deteriorated. Murakami looked back with regret: 'For several years, I thought, 'It's because you're not good enough,' or 'It's because you can't try harder'... I was trying to lift myself up by putting my partner down.' He added, 'I said terrible things. I wonder why I said them.' Wataru also spoke candidly about their past estrangement: 'From Murakami's perspective, he was stressed, thinking, 'I'm doing so much,' and the feeling of 'You don't write any material,' 'You do nothing' just built up... Rather than fighting, it was more like we just grew distant.'
The program set up their 'first-ever one-on-one drink,' but just 10 minutes in, Murakami's raw reaction was captured as he called over the filming staff, saying, 'It's not that it's awkward, but I don't know what to talk about...' Despite their distant demeanor, they agreed on their 'greatest memory' as a duo. Wataru said, 'Auditioning for 'Bakusho Red Carpet' was the biggest turning point,' and Murakami reminisced, 'I was so happy because it was the first time we passed a TV audition.'
When asked about their relationship as a duo, both affirmed their current distance. Murakami explained, 'If we try to change our current relationship, the risk of it getting worse is about 90%.' He continued, 'I can't honestly say 'I'm sorry,' but I can see he looks 'a little bit sorry,' so I decide not to say anything. That's the best for us right now.' Wataru agreed, 'If getting along better means we become less funny, I'd choose being funny.' He added, 'This is fine as it is.' They discussed their future as a duo, maintaining their distance.
You can watch the full feature on their real relationship, which allows them to continue being Fruits Punch now and in the future, for free on ABEMA.
About 'ABEMA Entertainment'
This news program introduces carefully selected, up-to-the-minute entertainment news. It delivers hot topics daily, including breaking news, information releases, and celebrity social media updates. It also features original interviews that delve into the charm and true character of today's trending figures.
Broadcast Time: Every Monday to Friday at 11:00 PM
Broadcast Channel: ABEMA NEWS Channel
About 'NO MAKE' Segment
'What is their true self...?' 'NO MAKE' gets up close with actors, talents, artists, and models. It explores the unknown pasts of those in the spotlight and the 'now' that accepts it. After watching, you'll surely... 'want to talk about them.'
About 'ABEMA'
ABEMA is a video streaming service that aims to innovate television as 'the new future of television,' celebrating its 10th anniversary on April 11, 2026. Since its launch, it has operated as an internet television service that is free to use without registration, broadcasting about 25 diverse channels 24/7, including a dedicated news channel, original dramas and dating reality shows pursuing 'the highest quality or the one and only,' variety shows, anime, and sports.
Boasting the No. 1 number of original episodes for a domestic video service (according to our research as of March 2026), it also offers a rich lineup of new movies, popular domestic and international dramas, and trending anime, as well as sports and live online events. Through a viewing experience that is not bound by time or place on smartphones, PCs, tablets, and TV devices, ABEMA continues to provide content that fits diverse lifestyles.
Furthermore, the 'ABEMA Premium' subscription at 1,180 JPY/month (tax incl.) offers exclusive features and content, while the 'Ad-supported ABEMA Premium' at 680 JPY/month (tax incl.) allows viewing of 'ABEMA Premium' exclusive content with ads.
In a recent installment of 'ABEMA Entertainment's' close-up segment 'NO MAKE,' the program exclusively documented the 'now' of the comedy duo Fruits Punch. The full episode is currently available for free on ABEMA.
In this special, the program followed Kenshi Murakami and Kentaro Wataru of Fruits Punch, now in their 21st year as a duo. It documented their 'first-ever one-on-one drink' in 21 years and also accompanied Wataru to his 'electrical construction part-time job.'
Wataru's monthly income, which was 1.8 million JPY at their peak, plummeted to as low as 80,000 JPY during the COVID-19 pandemic. Reflecting on that time, Wataru confessed, 'I was desperate. I was using up my savings.' He also revealed the resolve he shared with his wife: 'My wife must have been very anxious. She told me to be honest if our income was unstable and life was getting tough. I told her that if it came to that, I would quit comedy and get a proper job.' To support his family of four, Wataru obtained a national license as a 'Type 2 Electrical Construction Operator' in 2023 and now diligently works part-time in electrical construction. He works about 15 days a month, and his income from comedy and his part-time job are roughly equal. At the electrical site, he expressed his job satisfaction, saying, 'I feel relieved at this moment. You can clearly see that 'it's become brighter.''
Just three years after their formation, the duo quickly rose to fame on comedy shows like 'Bakusho Red Carpet.' However, as their schedules became extremely busy, their relationship gradually deteriorated. Murakami looked back with regret: 'For several years, I thought, 'It's because you're not good enough,' or 'It's because you can't try harder'... I was trying to lift myself up by putting my partner down.' He added, 'I said terrible things. I wonder why I said them.' Wataru also spoke candidly about their past estrangement: 'From Murakami's perspective, he was stressed, thinking, 'I'm doing so much,' and the feeling of 'You don't write any material,' 'You do nothing' just built up... Rather than fighting, it was more like we just grew distant.'
The program set up their 'first-ever one-on-one drink,' but just 10 minutes in, Murakami's raw reaction was captured as he called over the filming staff, saying, 'It's not that it's awkward, but I don't know what to talk about...' Despite their distant demeanor, they agreed on their 'greatest memory' as a duo. Wataru said, 'Auditioning for 'Bakusho Red Carpet' was the biggest turning point,' and Murakami reminisced, 'I was so happy because it was the first time we passed a TV audition.'
When asked about their relationship as a duo, both affirmed their current distance. Murakami explained, 'If we try to change our current relationship, the risk of it getting worse is about 90%.' He continued, 'I can't honestly say 'I'm sorry,' but I can see he looks 'a little bit sorry,' so I decide not to say anything. That's the best for us right now.' Wataru agreed, 'If getting along better means we become less funny, I'd choose being funny.' He added, 'This is fine as it is.' They discussed their future as a duo, maintaining their distance.
You can watch the full feature on their real relationship, which allows them to continue being Fruits Punch now and in the future, for free on ABEMA.
About 'ABEMA Entertainment'
This news program introduces carefully selected, up-to-the-minute entertainment news. It delivers hot topics daily, including breaking news, information releases, and celebrity social media updates. It also features original interviews that delve into the charm and true character of today's trending figures.
Broadcast Time: Every Monday to Friday at 11:00 PM
Broadcast Channel: ABEMA NEWS Channel
About 'NO MAKE' Segment
'What is their true self...?' 'NO MAKE' gets up close with actors, talents, artists, and models. It explores the unknown pasts of those in the spotlight and the 'now' that accepts it. After watching, you'll surely... 'want to talk about them.'
About 'ABEMA'
ABEMA is a video streaming service that aims to innovate television as 'the new future of television,' celebrating its 10th anniversary on April 11, 2026. Since its launch, it has operated as an internet television service that is free to use without registration, broadcasting about 25 diverse channels 24/7, including a dedicated news channel, original dramas and dating reality shows pursuing 'the highest quality or the one and only,' variety shows, anime, and sports.
Boasting the No. 1 number of original episodes for a domestic video service (according to our research as of March 2026), it also offers a rich lineup of new movies, popular domestic and international dramas, and trending anime, as well as sports and live online events. Through a viewing experience that is not bound by time or place on smartphones, PCs, tablets, and TV devices, ABEMA continues to provide content that fits diverse lifestyles.
Furthermore, the 'ABEMA Premium' subscription at 1,180 JPY/month (tax incl.) offers exclusive features and content, while the 'Ad-supported ABEMA Premium' at 680 JPY/month (tax incl.) allows viewing of 'ABEMA Premium' exclusive content with ads.
FAQ
Why and how did Wataru of Fruits Punch's monthly income change?
Due to a sharp decrease in work during the COVID-19 pandemic, his monthly income dropped from a peak of 1.8 million JPY to as low as 80,000 JPY.
Besides being a comedian, what other job does Wataru have now?
He obtained a national qualification as a Type 2 Electrical Construction Operator in 2023 and now works part-time in electrical construction about half the month.
What is the relationship between the members of Fruits Punch now?
Both members state that their current relationship, where they intentionally keep some distance, is the 'best for us right now' to continue as a comedy duo.