Voice Actress Sumire Uesaka Stars in Radio Drama "Sayonara☆Keirin Ojisan" Set in the World of Keirin, Airing from July on interfm's "Sumire Uesaka's Saturday Darkness Pot Theater"! A Youth Road Movie Touring the Country with Partner Voice Actor Hiroki Takahashi

interfm (interfm/Tokyo: 89.7MHz, Yokohama: 76.5MHz) will broadcast the radio drama "Sayonara☆Keirin Ojisan" starring voice actress Sumire Uesaka from 24:20 on Saturday, July 4, 2026.

This radio drama was realized with the support of the Public Interest Incorporated Foundation JKA. Following the great success of the special radio drama "Sora ni Kakeru" planned by Japan FM Network Co., Ltd. and aired on interfm and the JFN network nationwide at the end of last year, a plan for a long-form radio drama was initiated. After a planning period, the story will unfold as a 32-episode serial radio drama, linked to races held at keirin velodromes nationwide from July to March of next year.

The story of the radio drama is a youth road movie in which the protagonist, a female university student named "Chikako Koito," meets a "keirin ojisan" (old man) who inhabits a stuffed toy while on a trip. Together, they travel to keirin velodromes across the country, learning about the appeal of keirin through encounters with various people.

The role of the protagonist Chikako Koito is played by Sumire Uesaka, who is active as a voice actress and singer, has deep knowledge of a wide variety of genres, and captivates many fans with her unique worldview. Her representative works include the role of Lum in "Urusei Yatsura" and the role of Towa Kuga in "Patlabor EZY," and she currently appears in numerous works. The role of the "stuffed toy inhabited by the keirin ojisan," who becomes Sumire Uesaka's partner, is played by Hiroki Takahashi. Takahashi has handled a wide range of roles, including Eiji Kikumaru in "The Prince of Tennis," Katsuya Jonouchi in "Yu-Gi-Oh!," and Japan in "Hetalia," and continues to be increasingly active throughout his career. The story progresses with these two as the core, and various other characters will appear.

This radio drama will be broadcast for 10 minutes from around 24:20 within the regular program "Sumire Uesaka's Saturday Darkness Pot Theater," which airs every Saturday from 24:00 on interfm. It will run for a total of 8 months (July to December, and February to March of the following year), with 32 episodes in total. After the broadcast, it will also be distributed as a podcast on platforms including "JFN Pods" as the main platform, as well as Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcast, radiko podcast, and Radiocloud. Please enjoy it on podcast as well as on terrestrial radio and radiko time-free listening.

Furthermore, the story of the radio drama will develop in conjunction with keirin races nationwide. Pay attention to the characters appearing at each velodrome, who are deeply involved in the story. Additionally, events are being planned where cast members of the radio drama will visit various keirin velodromes to promote the drama with local JFN stations. Please look forward to this serial radio drama set in the world of keirin.

■ Radio Drama "Sayonara☆Keirin Ojisan" Overview

Station: interfm (Tokyo: 89.7 MHz, Yokohama: 76.5 MHz) http://www.interfm.co.jp/

Title: Sayonara☆Keirin Ojisan

Cast: Sumire Uesaka, Hiroki Takahashi, and others

Broadcast Date/Time: Every Saturday 24:20 - 24:30 (10-minute program)

Format: Recorded

Number of Episodes: 32 total (4 episodes x 8 months) *Broadcast in weeks 1-4; no broadcast in week 5.

Broadcast Period: July - December 2026, February - March 2027 (8 months total)

Program Hashtag: #さよなら競輪おじさん

■ Cast

Sumire Uesaka / Role of Chikako Koito

Born in Kanagawa Prefecture. Born December 19. Debuted as a voice actress in 2011. Debuted as an artist in 2013. Major roles include Sanae Dekomori in "Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions!," Cure Cosmo in "Star Twinkle PreCure," the voice of Carmeara in "Ultraman Trigger," Lum in "Urusei Yatsura," Ingrid Tradoll in "Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM," Meat-kun in "Kinnikuman: Perfect Origin Arc," Alisa Mikhailovna Kujo (Alya) in "Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian," and Towa Kuga in "Patlabor EZY." She is a unique voice actress and artist with interests and knowledge in a wide range of fields, including Showa-era popular songs, metal rock, lolita fashion, and professional wrestling.

HP: https://king-cr.jp/artist/uesakasumire/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uesaka_sumire/

X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/uesaka_official

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/uesakasumire

Hiroki Takahashi / Role of Keirin Ojisan (Stuffed Toy)

Born September 7, 1974, from Tokyo. A leading voice actor in Japan who continues to be active at the forefront of a wide range of fields, including anime, games, and dubbing for foreign films. His representative works include Eiji Kikumaru in "The Prince of Tennis," Katsuya Jonouchi in "Yu-Gi-Oh!," Parco Folgore in "Zatch Bell!," Japan in "Hetalia," and Takato Saijo in "Dakaichi: I'm Being Harassed By the Sexiest Man of the Year." He is well-regarded for his high acting ability that brings out the charm of his characters. In addition to voice acting, he demonstrates multifaceted talents as an artist utilizing his excellent singing ability in music activities and as a radio personality.

X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/H_I_R_O_K_I____

■ Regular Program Overview (Terrestrial)

Station: interfm (Tokyo: 89.7 MHz, Yokohama: 76.5 MHz) http://www.interfm.co.jp/

Title: Sumire Uesaka's Saturday Darkness Pot Theater

DJ: Sumire Uesaka

Broadcast Date/Time: Every Saturday 24:00 - 24:30 (30-minute program)

Format: Recorded program

Program Email: donabe@interfm.jp

Program Hashtag: #土ナベ

■ JFN Pods Overview (Podcast)

Distribution Platform: JFN Pods https://jfn-pods.com/

Distribution Date/Time: Every Saturday around 24:30 (after terrestrial broadcast)

Distribution Content: Archive of terrestrial talk portion only + JFN Pods exclusive after-talk

Program URL: https://jfn-pods.com/program/300010710

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[interfm became a special affiliate of the National FM Broadcasting Association (JFN = Japan FM Network) on September 1, 2020]