Snow Man's Abe Ryohei to be Friday personality on "ZIP!" in July! "Since it was decided that I would be the personality, I've been trying hard to go to bed early and get up early."

■ “Raul saw the July ZIP! letters before anyone else and came over to say, ‘Congratulations, Abe-chan!'”

It has been announced that Snow Man’s Abe Ryohei will be the Friday personality for the Nippon Television morning information program “ZIP!” (Monday to Friday, 5:50 to 9:00) in July. He will appear every Friday from July 5th, and is scheduled to appear a total of four times until July 26th.

Abe is a smart person who has passed the weather forecaster exam, the World Heritage Examination Level 1, and the Kanji Examination Level 2, and has appeared on many quiz shows. From April 2019 to March 2022, he was active as a reporter for “ZIP!’s “Trend News Kiterne!”

■ Comment from Ryohei Abe
Q: How did you feel when you were chosen as the Friday personality on “ZIP!”?
I was so happy. Ever since I was a reporter for “Kiteru ne!” and was part of the “ZIP!” family, I’ve always wanted to be a “ZIP!” personality, so I’m really honored to be entrusted with that role. I was really happy when my manager told me about it.
Q: Have you told the members of Snow Man?
Before I could tell him, all the members of Snow Man can see their schedules on an app, and Raul found the July “ZIP!” letters before anyone else and came over to say, “Congratulations, Abe-chan” (laughs). When you open a schedule app, you see the schedule for that month first, right? You have to turn the pages quite a bit before you can see the July schedule, but Raul knew about it right after it was decided, so I was like, “What! It’s already in it?” (laughs).
Q: You have appeared on “ZIP!” as a reporter for “Kiteru ne!” for three years. You have also performed as Snow Man, but what are your memories of “ZIP!”?
The first show we appeared on after our debut day was “ZIP!” Our debut day was January 22, 2020, and I remember vividly that we stayed at a hotel near Nippon TV the day before, gathered at the hotel front desk in the morning, and traveled from there. Then, Snow Man and SixTONES took turns appearing in various corners of “ZIP!” and performing, so it’s a show that’s really indispensable when talking about our debut day!
Q: How does it feel to appear live in the studio as a Friday personality?
Because it’s a live broadcast, I think the schedule will change from moment to moment. After all, this corner will not be included, etc. I hope I can respond calmly to such changes. And I want to approach it with a firm sense of confidence, knowing that I have done “Kiteru ne!” for three years.
Q: Are you worried about anything?
There is a challenge corner at the end of the show, right? I wonder if I’ll succeed? I wonder if I can do it? (laughs). I want to send everyone off right from the morning with a bang, right? I’m looking forward to it, and I want to try it… (laughs).
Q: As a personality, what about your comments?
I want to aim for the comments made by (Monday personality) Kazama (Shunsuke) to be a little warm and comforting, or at least soothing, when summarizing the video. The other day, I contacted Kazama on his birthday and told him, “Happy birthday! You’ve been confirmed for next month’s ZIP!” Kazama was very supportive and said, “That’s Abe-chan-like.”
Q: Are you strong in the mornings?
Since it was decided that I would be a personality, I’ve been trying my best to go to bed early and get up early. However, right now, when I wake up, the show has already started… (laughs).
Q: How do you wake up early?
I want to send everyone who watches in the morning off feeling refreshed, so I don’t think we should have any tired faces, so I guess it’s about putting that feeling into action.
Q: What would you like to do on the show?
I am a qualified weather forecaster, so I would be happy to take part in the weather segment for a little while.
Q: What is your impression of announcer Asami Miura, who will be the general host?
I have the impression that just watching her makes me happy. I feel relieved when I see her smile throughout the show, right up to the end. I feel like even if I make a mistake, she would really comfort me. I think she has the power to make it seem like the mistake never happened.
Q: Finally, please tell us your enthusiasm!
I am Abe Ryohei from Snow Man, and I will be the Friday personality on “ZIP!”. This is a stage I have dreamed of since my “Kiteru ne!” days. I will do my best. And above all, I will do my best to deliver a wonderful morning to everyone! Thank you!
■ Comment from Takahiro Ueda, Producer, Nippon Television Network Corporation Content Production Department
For the first time in two years, Snow Man’s Abe Ryohei will be appearing as the Friday personality on ZIP!! in July.
Two years ago, Abe-san was putting his body on the line to report on the “Kiteru ne!” corner.
In a recent interview, he spoke passionately about his love for ZIP!
I look forward to seeing them in the studio next time to bring smiles to mornings all over Japan.
Please look forward to the return of that nostalgic corner!!