Hiroshi Ariyoshi’s third consecutive year as host of “Kohaku” raises many questions.

I will be hosting the Kohaku Uta Gassen again this year, as I did last year. I was really surprised to be asked, but I am very grateful. On that day, it was announced that Ariyoshi had been chosen to host the “76th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen” to be broadcast on New Year’s Eve. He said enthusiastically, “This will be my third time hosting the event, so I think I can do it without being more nervous than before. In addition to Ariyoshi, actors Haruka Ayase (40) and Mio Imada (28) and NHK announcer Nahoko Suzuki (43) will serve as hosts for this year’s Kohaku. Ariyoshi has been the MC of NHK’s educational variety program “Ariyoshi’s Money Discovery: Kaneo-kun” since 2007! Her selection as host for the third consecutive year is probably due to her contribution to the station. Both Ms. Ariyoshi and Ms. Ayase are from Hiroshima, a city commemorating peace, and Ms. Imada is the heroine of “Anpan,” a series of TV novels about war. Akihisa Koike, the general manager of “Kohaku,” commented that Ariyoshi was chosen because of his “ability to create a warm atmosphere with a casual word. However, some viewers are concerned about Ariyoshi’s appointment, with the following comments being made on the Internet. I like Ariyoshi as “Kaneo-kun” because he is funny, but I always think that he is not suitable for hosting Kohaku. Even though Ariyoshi is popular as a variety performer, he is a different person in the Kohaku series, and his laugh is borrowed from other people. A source at the aforementioned TV station explains the reason. A TV station official explains the reason for this. (Nippon Television Network Corporation), and after a period of stagnation, Ariyoshi made a comeback as a tongue-in-cheek character, and his specialty is his “tongue. However, what is required of the host of “Kohaku” is not to show his/her personality, but to keep the program running smoothly. Therefore, in the past two “Kohaku” shows, Mr. Ariyoshi’s unique flavor was completely overshadowed. Even in his comments, his “personality” was sealed off, and only remarks that lifted up the artists were noticeable. For example, last year, after Kento Kocchi (29) sang “Hai Yorokonde,” he said, “It was great.” After THE ALFEE’s performance, he said, “Amazing guitar. After three years of the same person hosting, the show has lost its freshness, and there were many comments on the Internet such as, “I’m tired of it. This is not limited to Mr. Ariyoshi, but is unavoidable. ……” (A TV station official) Will Ariyoshi be able to demonstrate his hosting skills this year that will convince the “Kohaku” viewers?