Popular Idol Announces Pregnancy And Upcoming Hiatus With No Mention Of A Partner

A former member of one of the ever-popular AKB48 sister groups has announced her pregnancy.

On July 30, Yamazaki Rena announced her pregnancy, first on her radio program Rena Yamazaki’s Things I Wanted to Tell Someone, then through an official statement on her website.

According to her statement, both she and her baby are doing well, and she will take a temporary break from many of her entertainment activities. She plans to break this hiatus sometime next year.

I would like to share with you that I have been blessed with a new life and am expecting a child.

As for my future activities, I intend to continue approaching my work sincerely while prioritizing my physical and mental well-being. I would also like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved for their understanding and support.

I struggled with whether or not to make my pregnancy public. I want to continue devoting myself to my work while also protecting the ability to live peacefully as an ordinary person. However, because I will be taking a leave of absence from several regular programs—including the live daily show for which I serve as the main host—I decided it was appropriate to make this announcement.

— Portion of the letter

Yamazaki first rose to fame as a member of Nogizaka46’s second generation before graduating from the group in 2022. Since then she has been active in television and radio, and has not announced a partner or marriage.

Congrats to the star!