Leading entertainers in the Kanto region in Japan 2022, by number of TV performances

Osamu Shitara was the leading entertainer in Japan in 2022, based on the number of appearances on television programs in the Kanto region. The entertainer, who is part of the comedy duo Bananaman, appeared in 548 episodes of TV programs aired by broadcasters in the Kanto region. Akira Kawashima followed in second place with 536 episodes.

Comedians and talent

In a similar ranking for broadcasters in the Kansai region, Akira Kawashima ranked first, with 529 appearances. Many celebrities in the ranking were part of a Manzai comedy duo. Manzai is a type of stand-up comedy originating in the Kansai region. Comedians who appear frequently on television are part of a broad range of TV personalities in Japan, also known as talents. Talents are entertainers who do not belong to any particular professional category of the entertainment industry and are regularly present in Japanese mass media, including dramas, variety shows, and TV commercials.

Fandom in Japan

In recent years, oshikatsu has increasingly gained attention in Japan. Oshikatsu, a combination of the words oshi (a favorite member of a band, sports team, etc.) and katsu (activity), describes the practice of enthusiastically supporting a favorite person, character, or object. Oshikatsu can be directed at real people, ranging from idols to sports professionals, anime characters, or objects, such as railways, and entails activities like visiting live performances, spreading information on social media, and, most importantly, actively spending money on merchandise and other products. The trend is particularly popular among Gen Zs, who are generally more willing to spend money to support celebrities and characters than older generations, according to a survey.