Former Nogizaka46 member Rena Yamazaki announces pregnancy

Rena Yamazaki, a broadcaster and former member of the popular Japanese girl group Nogizaka46, is drawing intense attention from the Japanese entertainment industry after announcing her first pregnancy during a live broadcast. However, she did not disclose her marital status or the identity of the child's father, appealing for restraint regarding speculation about her private life.

Yamazaki first revealed the pregnancy on the 30th of last month during her TOKYO FM radio program, "What Rena Yamazaki Wanted to Tell Someone." Immediately following the broadcast, she shared her feelings directly through a lengthy post on her official website.

"I agonized for a long time over whether to disclose this, as I want to protect my child in a stable environment," she stated. "However, since I will be taking a break from several regular programs, including the live broadcast I host as a main presenter, I decided it was right to be honest."

Along with this announcement, she shared her plan to suspend activities for several months starting this fall to focus on childbirth and health recovery. She aims to return to her activities early next year.

Public interest has centered on whether she is married. Yamazaki only disclosed the pregnancy and made no mention of a spouse or the father of the child. Instead, she requested privacy, saying, "Please refrain from unauthorized reporting and filming, as well as speculative articles and the spread of false information without fact-checking."

She also expressed her sense of responsibility as a broadcaster, adding, "I will work even more diligently so that I can be remembered as someone people want to work with in the future."

Born in 1997, Yamazaki made her debut in the entertainment industry through the Nogizaka46 2nd generation auditions in 2013. While balancing her career and studies, she graduated from the Faculty of Letters at Keio University, earning the nickname "highly educated idol." Since then, she has expanded her presence as an intellectual broadcaster through hosting history programs, serving as a radio DJ, and appearing on quiz shows.

While the pregnancy announcement has drawn continuous congratulations and support, various speculations regarding her marital status are also emerging. However, as she has personally requested restraint against indiscriminate interpretations of her private life, attention is expected to focus on her future return and the birth of her child.