Tomomi Itano Reveals Pro Baseball's "Mom-Friend Group LINE"; Minami Minegishi Frustrated by Husband's Fandom - A Look at a 23-Year-Old Single Mom's Midwife Journey on "Secret Mom Garden 2"

The new future of television, "ABEMA," broadcast episode #9 of the information variety show "Secret Mom Garden 2," where mothers talk frankly without holding back, on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at 9:00 PM.

"Secret Mom Garden" is an information variety show that provides a space for mothers to speak their "real thoughts" rather than just platitudes. It addresses the realities of parents living in the "now" from every perspective, including diverse family structures, views on child-rearing, romance, marital relationships, and self-fulfillment. The show's MCs are Makiko Takizawa, Chihiro Kondo, and Minami Minegishi, three mothers and working women who represent their respective generations. Through studio talks and anonymous consultations, the show has garnered a strong response from many viewers, with comments like, "I related to it as if it were my own story," and "It connects to my own life."

▼ The three "Mama Garden" MCs finally hold a completely private mom get-together!

■ Cruel Words Faced During a Teen Pregnancy at 15: "Is That Really Our Child?"

"I fled to the police holding my daughter" - A close-up on a 23-year-old single mother who divorced at 17 due to violence and now aims to become a midwife.

In the #9 broadcast on Sunday, March 29, the segment "Peek! The Mom Next Door," which peeks into the lives of other families, followed Mikumo, a 23-year-old nursing student and single mother who gave birth at 15 and is now raising her 7-year-old daughter while aiming to become a midwife. Mikumo became pregnant with a classmate's child during the summer of her first year of high school. She recalled that when her pregnancy was discovered, not only did those around her strongly object, but she was also hit with cruel words from her partner's family, such as, "Is that really our child?" and "We want you to have an abortion." She shared her harrowing past of giving birth at 15 against everyone's wishes, saying, "I felt like everyone was the enemy, my only ally was this child, and this child's only ally was me." She began living with the partner at 16 and later married him, but an argument escalated into violence, resulting in Mikumo suffering a broken bone. She recounted her desperate escape, "I realized I couldn't make my daughter happy like this," and "I fled to the police holding my daughter and was taken into protective custody," revealing the circumstances of her divorce at 17. Afterward, thinking it would be difficult to raise a child on part-time work alone, and saved by the words of the midwife who attended her own birth—"You can make this child happy"—Mikumo was inspired to become a midwife herself to "help mothers in situations similar to my own."

The segment delves into the daily life of Mikumo and her 7-year-old daughter, Ao-chan, and includes a moment where Ao-chan expresses her deep affection with the words, "(I'm worried because you're always studying) Mom, I actually want you to get fired from school." The bond between Ao-chan, who supports her mom despite her worries, and Mikumo, who is fighting for her daughter and her dream, brought MC Minegishi to tears. "I think 23 is an age when I was still only thinking about myself and having fun," she said, crying. "I heard so many words from Ao-chan that could only come from knowing her mom truly cares for her." The segment concluded with the moving moment Mikumo passed her national nursing exam, bringing the studio to an emotional finale.

▼ A 23-year-old mother aiming to be a midwife, why did she give birth at 15? Photos from that time are released.

■ Tomomi Itano reveals pro baseball mom-friend situation: "There's a group LINE for team moms."

Also, in the studio segment "Breakdown the Platitudes! Relaxed Well-side Chat," former AKB48 member and mother of one, talent Tomomi Itano, appeared. The conversation revolved around the theme of "Reiwa-era mom-friend one-upmanship." While tricky one-upmanship tactics like "reverse one-upmanship" and "relying on your parents one-upmanship" were introduced, Itano showed her natural strength by being completely oblivious to it, saying, "Isn't it just 'Wow, isn't that amazing?'" and "I'd just be like, 'Oh, your parents' house! I'm so jealous.'" This prompted Minegishi to exclaim in surprise, "It really doesn't affect you, does it?" Furthermore, when the topic turned to mom-friend group chats, Itano confessed, "There's a group LINE for the team moms." She surprised the studio by revealing the unknown mom-friend circumstances unique to the wives of professional baseball players: "The wives will dutifully report things like, 'My husband is going to a different team'…" and "It gets confusing when a lot of people are leaving and joining."

▼What happens in Tomomi Itano's team mom-friend group LINE!?

■ Minami Minegishi annoyed by husband's "fandom activities": "His earnestness started to get on my nerves."

Minami Minegishi warns a "newlywed husband" on the show's staff: "You're thinking too much of marriage as an eternal contract."

In the latter half of the show, the real-life marital situations of the MCs also came to light one after another. Minegishi started by saying, "On the day of this recording, my husband's favorite artist has a concert at Budokan." She mentioned how her husband (Tetsuya of Tokai On Air) desperately rearranged his work schedule for his favorite's concert. "While he can't make time in his schedule for family, today he tried so hard to adjust his work... that earnestness is starting to get on my nerves," she confessed, expressing her genuine jealousy. "So, an appointment with me is less important than his favorite's concert," she revealed her frustration, to which Takizawa sympathized, "I see, that is a little irritating."

Furthermore, in the advice corner "Secret Anonymous Afternoon Tea," Minegishi sharply pointed out to a "newlywed husband" on the show's staff who admitted to not complimenting his wife recently, "You're thinking too much of marriage as an eternal contract." She added with a smile, "You don't realize that it can be ended if one wants to," which prompted Takizawa to shudder and say, "That's a scary thing to say," as the strong punchline erupted, filling the studio with laughter.

In addition, "Secret Mom Garden 2" #9 was packed with highlights, including the special project "Lazy Dad Garden," where a Showa-era dad with zero housework and childcare experience is tasked with doing laundry and cleaning for the first time in his life. The episode is still available for free on-demand viewing. Please enjoy it.

■ ABEMA "Secret Mom Garden 2" Broadcast Overview

#9 On-demand streaming URL: https://abema.tv/video/episode/90-2029_s2_p109

Program Page URL: https://abema.tv/video/title/90-2029

Starring: Makiko Takizawa, Chihiro Kondo, Minami Minegishi

Studio Guest: Tomomi Itano

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

■ About "ABEMA"

"ABEMA" is a video streaming business that aims to innovate television as a "new future for television," celebrating its 10th anniversary on April 11, 2026. Since its launch, as an internet television service that can be enjoyed for free without registration, it broadcasts approximately 25 channels 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, across a variety of genres, including a 24-hour news specialty channel, original dramas and romance reality shows that pursue "top quality or one-of-a-kind," variety shows, anime, and sports.

In addition to boasting the number one count of original episodes for a domestic video service in Japan (*), it also features an extensive lineup of notable new movies, popular domestic and international dramas, and trending anime, as well as sports broadcasts and online live events. Viewers can enjoy content anytime without being tied to a schedule through TV and on-demand services, and through a viewing experience that is not tied to a location via smartphones, PCs, tablets, and TV devices, ABEMA continues to provide content that aligns with diverse lifestyles.

Furthermore, the "ABEMA Premium" subscription for 1,080 yen (tax included) per month allows users to enjoy exclusive features and content, while the "ABEMA Premium with Ads" for 580 yen (tax included) per month allows viewing of "ABEMA Premium" exclusive content with ads.

(*) As of November 2025, according to our own research.

Please check the official social media for the latest information.

Free videos and popular works can be enjoyed on the new future of television "ABEMA" (https://abema.tv/)

In commemoration of its 10th anniversary, "ABEMA" will roll out various campaigns throughout the year to celebrate, including special program broadcasts and the "ABEMA 10th Anniversary Free Grand Appreciation Festival." Please look forward to "ABEMA's" 10th anniversary.

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