Hiroiki Ariyoshi

Born in Kumano, Aki District, Japan, Ariyoshi formed the owarai duo Saruganseki with Kazunari Moriwaki in 1994.^[4] The pair became famous through the variety television show Susunu! Denpa Shōnen when they were made to hitchhike across Asia, a task that was covered on the show for six months.^[4] They were so popular when they returned that when they published a book about their travels, it became a best-seller.^[4] When they released a single, Shiroi kumo no yō ni, it reached number three on the Oricon charts, with the album reaching number two.^[5] They even received a new artist award at the Japan Record Awards in 1997.^[6] While for a time they were earning 20 million yen a month (about $170,000^[7] in 1997 US dollars),^[8] their fame did not last long, and the duo broke up in 2004.^[4]

After his career went into decline, Ariyoshi's income reportedly fell to virtually nothing.^[8][9] However, he gradually began reappearing on television, now as a solo comedian noted for his poison tongue.^[4] His career really began to revive around 2006 when, on shows like Ametalk (hosted by Ameagari Kesshitai), he became known for giving mischievous nicknames to famous personalities.^[10] In 2009, public opinion research conducted by Oricon found that those polled considered him to be the number one "comeback" personality of the year.^[10] By 2011, he was ranked as the top television tarento in terms of number of appearances.^[11] He now hosts and have hosted several television shows, including Ariyoshi AKB Kyōwakoku with AKB48^[12] and Matsuko & Ariyoshi Karisome Tenkoku with Matsuko Deluxe,^[13] and is a regular guest on variety shows like London Hearts.^[14]

As of September 2019, Ariyoshi has over 11 ongoing regular television programs in his name and as the MC and several other special programs.

On 2 April 2021, it was announced that Ariyoshi had married the TV announcer Miku Natsume, who was the host on Matsuko & Ariyoshi's Angry New Party.^[15]

• Matsuko & Ariyoshi's Angry New Party (2011–2017)
• Matsuko & Ariyoshi Karisome Tengoku (2017–)
• London Hearts (2011–)
• Ariyoshi-Kun no Shōjiki Sanpo (2012–)
• Ariyoshi Japon (2012–)
• Ariyoshi Seminar (2013–)
• Ariyoshi Hanseikai (2013–)
• Sakurai-Ariyoshi The Yakai (co-host with Sakurai Sho of Arashi, 2014–)
• Ariyoshi Base (2016–)
• Ariyoshiiieeeee! (2018–)^[16][17]
• Ariyoshi no Okane Hakken Totsugeki! Kaneo-Kun (2019–)
• Ariyoshi's Wall (2020–)
• 74th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen (2023)^[18]
• 75th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen (2024)^[19]
• 76th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen (2025)^[20]