It was revealed on October 1st that AKB48's Sashihara Rino (18), comedian Watanabe Naomi (23), and Yamazaki Hironari (35) would be joining Fuji TV's "Watatte Iitomo!" as its new regulars.

The three were chosen as "fresh people who would cheer up Japan". Watanabe will appear on Mondays, Sashihara will be in charge of Wednesdays, and Yamazaki will take on Thursdays.

Sashihara is known for her larger-than-life character, who quickly gives up on terror experiences and projects that require physical strength. In January, she obtained her own show on TBS titled "Sashiko no Kuseni ~ Kono Bangumi wa AKB to wa Mattaku Kankei Arimasen ~". During AKB48's Senbatsu Election in June, Sashihara placed 9th, moving up 10 places from the previous year. She will continue to show her power as a regular for "Waratte Iitomo!".

With this new appointment, Sashihara tied with Adachi Yumi (30) in being the show's youngest female regular (Adachi had also joined the show at the age of 18 back in 2000). During a press conference at Studio Alta in Shinjuku, Sashihara expressed her excitement by saying, "Even now, I still think it's a prank... I can't believe it."

AKB48's Akimoto Sayaka (23) is already a regular for the show, and so Sashihara felt that there's a lot to live up to. "I've co-starred with Tamori-san many times as an AKB48 member, but I don't think he has recognized me yet. I want to do my best to live up to the example of my senpai, Sayaka-san."

Watanabe, on the other hand, was a part of the show's assistant group,�"Iitomo Shojotai", for two years. Regarding this 'promotion', she commented, "I wanted to return as a regular someday, so I'm happy." Meanwhile, Yamazaki laughed as he said, "I want to do my best as an entertainer."

The new regulars will appear on the show starting October 3rd.

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Source + Photos: Sanspo 1 + 2