[2026] What was the reason for Kaito Kozono and Lisa Watanabe's divorce? Also, let's sort out the rumors about zombie cigarettes.

On August 31, 2026, Hiroshima Toyo Carp player Kaito Kozono and model Lisa Watanabe announced their divorce on their respective Instagram accounts. Neither party has revealed the reasons or circumstances of the divorce, and it has been stated that Lisa Watanabe will raise their child. This article summarizes the full text of the announcement, the timeline from marriage to divorce, and the rumors surrounding the "zombie cigarette" incident, focusing on the facts that can be confirmed.

[2026] What was the reason for Kaito Kozono and Lisa Watanabe's divorce? Also, let's sort out the rumors about zombie cigarettes.

Key points to keep in mind first
Kaito Kozono and Lisa Watanabe have announced their divorce.
Full statement | Comments from the two individuals
What was the reason for the divorce? "I cannot discuss that."
The child lives with Lisa Watanabe
The events from marriage to divorce
The rumor about "zombie cigarettes"
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Key points to keep in mind first

Q. Are Kaito Kozono and Lisa Watanabe divorced?

A. Yes. On August 31, 2026, the two announced their divorce on their respective Instagram accounts.

Q. Has the reason for the divorce been made public?

A. No. Both of them said they "cannot talk about the circumstances or reasons," and have not revealed any specific reasons.

Q. Who will raise the children?

A. Lisa Watanabe has announced that "the children will continue to live with me."

2. Kaito Kozono and Lisa Watanabe announce their divorce.

On August 31, 2026, model and influencer Lisa Watanabe (24 years old) updated her Instagram Stories to announce her divorce from her husband, Hiroshima Toyo Carp infielder Kaito Kozono (26 years old).

On the same day, Kaito Kozono also announced his divorce on his Instagram account. The two made the announcement simultaneously on their respective social media accounts.

🔗 Lisa Watanabe's Instagram Stories

【2026】小園海斗・渡辺リサ離婚の理由は？ゾンビタバコの噂も整理

Lisa Watanabe is from Hiroshima Prefecture and has gained popularity through video posting apps and as a reader model for magazines. Kaito Kozono is a representative infielder in the baseball world who joined the Hiroshima Toyo Carp after graduating from Hotoku Gakuen High School and won two titles in the 2025 season: batting champion and highest on-base percentage.

3. Full text of the announcement | Comments from the two individuals

Full text of Lisa Watanabe's announcement

I have an announcement to make.

I have divorced Kaito Kozono.

I cannot discuss the circumstances or reasons that led to the divorce.

From now on, I will refrain from making any further comments regarding Ms. Kozono.

Also, the children will be living with me.

I would be grateful for your understanding and kind support.

Furthermore, Watanabe Lisa wrote that she is grateful to those who have supported her so far for the connections and memories she has gained during the time she has spent with her family, and asked them to continue to watch over her as before.

Full text of Kaito Kozono's announcement

I have an announcement to make.

I have recently divorced Lisa Watanabe.

I will refrain from disclosing the details of the divorce.

We would appreciate your continued warm support.

Kaito Kozono also apologized to his fans for having to announce it on social media and stated that he would be responding to their messages from now on.

4. What was the reason for the divorce? "I cannot discuss that."

Many people are curious about the reason for the divorce. However, the couple has been very careful about what they say on this matter.

Lisa Watanabe stated, "I cannot discuss the circumstances or reasons that led to the divorce," and Kaito Kozono also said, "I will refrain from commenting on the circumstances of the divorce." In other words, as of September 2026, the specific reasons for the divorce have not been publicly disclosed by either party.

Lisa Watanabe has also stated that she will refrain from making any further comments regarding Kaito Kozono, making it clear that both parties will not disclose the reasons for their stance.

item	Content
Announcement date	August 31, 2026
Presentation method	Each of their Instagram accounts
Divorce	They both admit it.
Reasons for divorce	Not disclosed (neither party made a clear statement)
Child custody	Living with Lisa Watanabe

5. The child lives with Lisa Watanabe.

The couple has a child. In her announcement, Lisa Watanabe stated, "The children will live with me," meaning the children will be living with Lisa Watanabe.

Lisa Watanabe became a mother of two after getting married, and has previously shared glimpses of her family life on social media. In this latest announcement, she also expressed her gratitude for the time she spent with her family.

6. The circumstances from marriage to divorce

The couple's marriage became public in 2021. At the time, the identity of the groom was not revealed, but it was later announced that her husband was baseball player Kaito Kozono.

season	event
January 2021	Lisa Watanabe has announced her marriage (her partner's identity has not been revealed).
November 2022	She has publicly announced that her husband is baseball player Kaito Kozono.
2025	Kaito Kozono wins two titles: batting champion and highest on-base percentage.
March 2026	Kaito Kozono will be playing for the Japanese national team in the WBC.
August 18, 2026	Kaito Kozono has been demoted to the minor leagues for further adjustment.
August 31, 2026	The couple announced their divorce.

Kaito Kozono was entering his eighth professional season in 2026, but was demoted to the minor leagues on August 18, 2026, for readjustment. This was his first demotion to the minor leagues in approximately 3 years and 4 months, since April 2023. The announcement of his divorce came about two weeks after this demotion.

7. The rumor about "zombie cigarettes"

Regarding this divorce, some people on social media are linking it to the term "zombie cigarettes." Here, we will separate the verifiable facts from the parts that are merely speculation.

What is a "zombie cigarette"?

"Zombie cigarettes" is a slang term referring to e-cigarette-type products containing etomidate, a designated drug. Etomidate will be designated as a designated drug in Japan from May 16, 2025, and its use will be prohibited except for legitimate purposes such as medical treatment.

In 2026, former Hiroshima Toyo Carp player Ryutaro Hazuki (26 years old) was convicted of violating the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act for using etomidate. Hazuki's contract with the team has already been terminated.

Why is he being associated with Kaito Kozono?

The reason why the public is linking their divorce to this issue is due to a combination of several events.

Specifically, the fact that Kaito Kozono was demoted to the minor leagues on August 18, 2026, without much explanation, and that his divorce was announced in the same month of August 2026, are points of interest due to the close timing. This coincidence led to widespread speculation and the view that there might be some connection between the two events on social media.

However, this is merely speculation circulating in the public eye. There is no confirmation that Kaito Kozono himself used or purchased Etomidate. As the reasons for their divorce have not been revealed by the couple themselves, there is no evidence as of September 2026 to connect these matters and make a definitive conclusion.

Neither the team nor player Kaito Kozono has provided an official explanation regarding the reason for the divorce, so it can be said that speculation is running ahead of the facts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. When did Kaito Kozono and Lisa Watanabe get divorced?

A. On August 31, 2026, the two announced their divorce on their respective Instagram accounts.

Q2. What was the reason for the divorce?

A. Both individuals have stated that they "cannot comment on the circumstances or reasons," and no specific reasons have been made public.

Q3. Who will take custody of the child?

A. Lisa Watanabe has announced that "the children will continue to live with me."

Q4. Is there a connection between "zombie cigarettes" and divorce?

A. No facts have been confirmed to indicate a connection. Some people on social media are making this connection, but there is no confirmation that Kaito Kozono himself used or purchased the product; it is purely speculation.