His trademark shaved head is hidden by a cap, but his twin-bridge glasses give off a sharp glint in his eyes. "I'm not going to worry too much about the recording time, I'll just talk," the man says. He made the remark during a meeting for the radio show "Secret Agent Minamikawa," which just started this spring. It's a simple guest talk show that invites specialists from various genres and asks them frank questions about their activities.
"The staff told me, 'Rather than making it funny, we hope to make a program that stimulates intellectual curiosity.' I personally like listening to all kinds of people, so I was grateful for that. I simply like talking to people who aren't comedians. Don't comedians think too much about how 'great' they are? Of course, they do have a certain level of skill. But honestly, I think anyone can do it. That's the kind of cool-headed attitude I have, so I find it more enjoyable to hear from geniuses in other genres or unusual people."
Minamikawa bows deeply as he welcomes the guest into the booth. He's made a name for himself on TV with his physical comedy, gossip and sharp tongue, but here he's the ultimate gentleman. As the recording begins, he draws out the guest's stories with polite responses and a good hosting. The guest for the first episode was Professor Nakanishi Makoto, who is involved in "aging research" at the Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo. With occasional laughs, Minamikawa delves into the cutting edge of aging research, highlighting Professor Nakanishi's charming personality.
"For better or worse, those who predicted a 'Minamikawa monologue' have been disappointed. For now, this program is being run with the image that it will make drivers think, 'I don't know who this guy is, but he's telling an interesting story.'"
During the recording, neither the director nor the writer gave any instructions. This is proof that he is trusted as a personality. Contrary to what he said during the meeting, the recording finished almost on time.
"Anyway, I want to be liked by the staff. Higashino (Kouji) often says that comedians are nothing more than cogs in the machine. In the end, all you do is carry out what you're told. If I was told to do it, I did it. Then people noticed, 'Oh, you can put your body on the line,' or 'You're good at being sarcastic and gossiping, aren't you?' It's not that I became famous, I just didn't quit being a comedian. I'll be 43 this year, and there aren't many comedians that are willing to put their body on the line at my age. I'm really just a cog in the machine, somehow managing to get by in a niche industry."
That being said, Minamikawa currently has six regular radio and podcast shows, so what is the secret to her popularity in such a speaking role?
"I might get in trouble for saying this, but I think people use me because I don't have any love for radio. I didn't grow up listening to the radio, so I don't have any emotional feelings towards it. I just do my best with the work I'm given, so maybe the staff find it easy to use."
After finishing the recording of "Secret Agent Minamikawa," he immediately left the floor and headed to the studio for "All-Star After-Party." During this live broadcast, he was pranked and played the clown, drawing roars of laughter. He puts all his effort into the job he's been given and completes it without fail. You can't take your eyes or ears off this man, who flexibly changes gears depending on the time and place.
