TBS Radio and TikTok Collaborate on New Podcast "Can't Wait Until Kick-off!" Featuring Former Soccer Star Yoichiro Kakitani and Creator Saki Yagi

TBS Radio has teamed up with the short-form video platform "TikTok" to launch a new podcast program, "Kakitan i& Saki Yagi's 'Can't Wait Until Kick-off!'" on April 10, 2026. In this program, Yoichiro Kakitani, a former Japanese national soccer team player who retired from active duty in January 2025, and Saki Yagi, a popular TikTok creator known for her "I'll verify it!" videos, will serve as personalities. Over 12 episodes, they will deliver the fun of soccer, the charm of top players, and simple questions that people might be too embarrassed to ask, in an easy-to-understand manner for those who haven't engaged with soccer before. In addition to audio distribution on TBS Radio's various podcast platforms, cut-out videos will also be released from the official TikTok account of the Japan Football Association (JFA) (@jfa_samuraiblue). You can visually enjoy the passion from the studio. Heading into this summer, with major soccer tournaments on the horizon, we will delve into the depth of sports and the joy of spectating with words that resonate with everyday people. Don't miss it!

■ Personality Comments

【Yoichiro Kakitan i】 I am very happy to be able to convey the charm of soccer through this program. At a time when interest in soccer is growing, I want to convey my experiences as a player and the real feelings I had on the pitch in an understandable way. I hope to have fun and engaging conversations with Saki Yagi, making it interesting even for those who don't know much about soccer. Please feel free to listen. 【Saki Yagi】 I was very surprised to hear that I would be co-hosting a podcast with former Japanese national soccer player Kakitan i! I enjoy watching soccer on TV, but my knowledge is still limited, so as a representative beginner, I want to learn and have fun with everyone from the listeners' perspective, with Kakitan i-san teaching me. How much more will Saki Yagi know about soccer? Let's find out!

■ Personality Profiles

• Yoichiro Kakitan i Born January 3, 1990, from Osaka Prefecture. A product of Cerezo Osaka's youth academy, he signed his first professional contract in 2006 during his second year of high school, becoming the club's youngest-ever professional at 16 years old. He has also played for Tokushima Vortis, FC Basel, and Nagoya Grampus, among others, and is the first player in J.League history to win the J.League Best Goal award multiple times (2013, 2021). After being selected for various national youth teams, he debuted for SAMURAI BLUE in the East Asian Cup in July 2013 and participated in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. He retired from active duty in January 2025.