Which Celebrity Would People Most Like as Their Boss? NEXER and Speakers Release a Nationwide Survey of 1,000 Respondents

What kind of person would make people think, “Work would be fun every day if this person were my boss,” or “I’d like to work with them”? Reasons for choosing an ideal boss vary widely, from reliability and generosity to intelligence in giving accurate instructions and the ability to brighten the workplace atmosphere. If a celebrity became your boss, who would you want it to be? NEXER, together with the lecture speaker dispatch site Speakers, conducted a survey of 1,000 men and women across Japan on “celebrities people would like to have as their boss.” The survey was conducted online among men and women nationwide in Japan. It collected 1,000 valid responses between April 22 and May 8, 2026. Respondents were asked to name the one celebrity they would most like to have as their boss and explain why. The No. 1 choice was George Tokoro, with 76 votes. Respondents said he would make going to work feel enjoyable, praised his generosity, broad knowledge, and nonjudgmental attitude, and described his way of life as ideal. Others said he seemed easy to consult with, likely to give accurate instructions, and broad-minded enough to entrust work to people’s own discretion. Many appear to be drawn to his easygoing personality, long familiar from television, and his lifestyle of enjoying many hobbies and everything he does. He is supported as an ideal boss who combines warmth, humor, and inner strength. No. 2 was Yuki Amami, with 72 votes. Respondents said she is cool and admirable, and that she seems capable of being strict when needed and kind when appropriate while guiding people properly. Others described her as cheerful, fair to everyone, reliable, competent, humorous, stylish, and also possessing a uniquely gentle quality. Her dignified presence and the dependable female figures she has played in dramas seem to have earned her strong support as an ideal boss. Her balance of strictness and kindness, along with the impression that she would evaluate people fairly without scolding them unreasonably, was also seen as appealing. No. 3 was Tamori, with 65 votes. Respondents described him as intellectual and knowledgeable, and said conversations with him outside of work would likely be interesting. Others praised his kindness, intelligence, deep knowledge of trivia, and sense of humor. Some felt he would guide people accurately during problem-solving, while others thought he would let people work freely without making things unnecessarily difficult. His knowledgeable and intellectual image, along with his calm and unemotional demeanor, was highly valued. Many seem to see him as an ideal boss who trusts subordinates and gives them freedom while stepping in to help when needed. No. 4 was Sanma Akashiya, with 42 votes. Respondents cited his humor, approachability, kindness, entertaining conversation, quick thinking, and ability to give accurate answers when consulted. In addition to his talk skills and quick wit, many said his friendly personality would brighten the workplace atmosphere. He may be seen as a reliable boss who would be easy to consult when problems arise. No. 5 was Teruyoshi Uchimura of Ucchan Nanchan, with 38 votes. Respondents said he is unpretentious, kind, and likely to speak to younger people as well. Others described him as calm and gentle, someone who gives a sense of security and would listen sincerely to opinions, concerns, and problems. He was also seen as a boss who could bring out the strengths of subordinates, solve problems quietly, and properly praise people when deserved. His long-standing image as someone admired by juniors and younger entertainers left a strong impression, and many linked his calm and kind personality to their image of an ideal boss. His ability to draw out people’s strengths and watch over them warmly was also widely appreciated. Ranks 6 through 10 were as follows: Hiroshi Abe ranked sixth with 34 votes; Yo Oizumi ranked seventh with 31 votes; Kazlaser of Maple Chogokin ranked eighth with 27 votes; and Ryohei Suzuki, Koji Yakusho, and Takuya Kimura tied for ninth with 24 votes each. Abe was praised for seeming good-natured, reliable, strict when giving guidance, and likely to solve problems cleanly. Oizumi was supported for seeming able to brighten the workplace, switch properly between fun and seriousness, and be easy to talk to. Kazlaser was valued for intelligence, humor, extensive knowledge, and calm judgment. Suzuki was seen as unlikely to engage in workplace harassment, gentle, and easy to work with. Yakusho was viewed as charming, likely to listen while seeing a person’s true character, and both kind and dignified. Kimura was expected to be strict while also offering solid support, accurate advice, and careful attention to detail. Overall, celebrities chosen as ideal bosses tended to have impressions of generosity, kindness, and reliability. Competence and quick thinking are attractive qualities, but when working together, personality and character are also important. Some people want a relaxed and humorous boss, while others prefer a dignified leader who can guide them accurately; the ideal image of a boss varies from person to person.