Arashi & Yoshitaka Yuriko as hosts for the 65th NHK Kouhaku Utagassen

NHK announced on 10 October that Arashi and Yoshitaka Yuriko will be the hosts for the White Team and Red Team respectively in the 65th Kouhaku Utagassen while the main host will be its own announcer Udo Yumiko. This will be Arashi's 5th consecutive as the White Team's host while Yoshitaka is making her first appearance as the Red Team's host, following the success of the morning drama "Hanako to Anne" in which she was the heroine. The programme will be shown on New Year's Eve from 7.15pm to 11.45pm.

With regard to their 5th consecutive year as being hosts, Arashi's Aiba Masaki commented that it was something they never imagined but it will be a good way to end their 15th anniversary celebration this year. When asked if Arashi will be singing the final song for the night, Sakurai Sho said that it doesn't matter which order they appear in the programme as long as they put up a memorable performance. As for Yoshitaka, she commented that it was brave of NHK to choose her as the host and said that she was very shocked when she was told about the decision and wondered if they are taking too much of a risk. Nonetheless, she called upon the viewers not to switch the channel even if they find that she is making mistakes and hopes to show everyone a different and more mature side of her.

Source: Sanspo 1 / Sanspo 2 / Sanspo 3