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[2026] Will Kazuhiro Koyabu retire? The truth behind his departure from Yoshimoto and his future activities.
Kazutoyo Koyabu will end his exclusive management contract with Yoshimoto Kogyo on December 31, 2026, and will switch to a partnership contract from January 1, 2027. Some are saying, "Is this a retirement?", but this is not. We will summarize the points you're curious about, such as the reason for his departure, the meaning of the partnership contract, his future activities, and even how to pronounce his name, his height, his wife, and why he doesn't eat meat.
[2026] Will Kazuhiro Koyabu retire? The truth behind his departure from Yoshimoto and his future activities.
The announcement on September 2, 2026, that Kazutoyo Koyabu would be "leaving" Yoshimoto Kogyo became a major topic of discussion. The word "leaving" has led to concerns that he might be "retiring," but to put it simply... This is not a retirement.
Q. Is Kazuhiro Koyabu retiring?
A. No, this is not a retirement. My exclusive management contract with Yoshimoto Kogyo will end on December 31, 2026, and from January 1, 2027, I will continue my activities in a new form called a "partnership contract."
Q. Why are you leaving Yoshimoto Kogyo?
A. Mr. Koyabu himself expressed a desire to "challenge himself by working in a new environment," and Yoshimoto Kogyo respected his wishes, so both parties agreed.
Q. Will your relationship with Yoshimoto Kogyo continue after you leave the company?
A. To be continued. Yoshimoto Kogyo has announced that they will continue to support Koyabu's activities, so their ties are not completely severed.
table of contents
- Is Kazutoyo Koyabu retiring? -- The answer is "He is not retiring."
- Reasons for leaving Yoshimoto Kogyo
- What is a partnership agreement? Future activities
- Profile (pronunciation, height, career)
- About my wife and children
- Why don't you eat meat? Are you a vegan?
- The story of Kazutoyo Koyabu and his wheelchair.
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is Kazuhiro Koyabu retiring? -- The answer is "He is not retiring."
On September 2, 2026, Yoshimoto Kogyo announced on its official website that it would be signing a partnership agreement with Kazutoyo Koyabu. The announcement stated that his exclusive management contract would end on December 31, 2026, and that a partnership agreement would be signed from January 1, 2027.
The word "leaving the agency" took on a life of its own, leading some to interpret it as "Is he retiring?" However, judging from the announcement, it is not a "retirement" from entertainment activities. Koyabu himself reported on Instagram that although he is leaving the agency, he will be signing a new contract with Yoshimoto Kogyo, indicating that he intends to continue his activities.
"Leaving the agency" and "retirement" have completely different meanings. Leaving the agency means leaving the agency you belong to, while retirement means ceasing all activities. In this case, it's the former, and moreover, it's not a complete separation, but rather a transition to a new relationship as a partnership.
2. Reasons for leaving Yoshimoto Kogyo
Yoshimoto Kogyo explained the circumstances of his departure, stating, "Chitose Koyabu expressed a desire to challenge himself in a new environment, and both parties agreed to respect his wishes to the fullest extent." It was not due to any trouble or conflict, but rather Koyabu himself sought a new field of activity.
🔗 Kazutoyo Koyabu Official Instagram
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Instagram full text |
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This report might not be necessary, but I'm reporting it because Instagram is that kind of place. I will be leaving Yoshimoto Kogyo by the end of the year. I had the opportunity to speak with the president, vice president, and other senior executives. And, although I will be leaving the company, Yoshimoto Kogyo and I have entered into a new type of contract, a "partnership agreement," which is unlike anything we've had before. I made several suggestions for the name of this new type of contract. I will continue to be affiliated with Yoshimoto Kogyo as before until the end of 2026. I don't have much experience with this kind of report, so I wasn't sure how to present it properly, which is why I'm reporting it in this way. That's all for my report, I don't know anything about it. I mean, I really want to see Koyabu Sonic at the end. #announcement |
Koyabu reflected on the name of the contract with a touch of humor on Instagram. He revealed that he had proposed names such as "Hyper Partnership Agreement" and "Sometimes Fusion Agreement," but all were rejected, and they finally settled on "Partnership Agreement." This suggests that it is not a serious breakup, but rather a positive new beginning.
3. What is a partnership agreement? Future activities
A partnership agreement differs from the traditional arrangement of being exclusively affiliated with an agency; it's a contractual arrangement that establishes a more flexible collaborative relationship. In Mr. Koyabu's case, he will be leaving Yoshimoto Kogyo and collaborating in a new and unprecedented way.
| season | Contract status |
| Until December 31, 2026 | He will remain under an exclusive management contract with Yoshimoto Kogyo, as before. |
| From January 1, 2027 | The partnership agreement has been established, and Yoshimoto Kogyo will continue to provide support. |
Yoshimoto Kogyo has commented, "We will continue to support Kazuhiro Koyabu's activities," suggesting that there is little concern that his appearances on TV shows and at events will be interrupted after his departure. Koyabu is a former leader of the Yoshimoto Shinkigeki comedy troupe, a member of the band "Jenny High," and the organizer of the festival "KOYABU SONIC," and is active in various fields including television, stage, and music. He is expected to continue working under Yoshimoto Kogyo as before until the end of 2026.
4. Profile (pronunciation, height, career)
The correct reading of "小籔千豊" is "Koyabu Kazutoyo". Many people misread this surname, but the correct reading is " Koyabu "is.
| item | Content |
| Name (pronunciation) | Koyabu Kazutoyo |
| date of birth | September 11, 1973 |
| Birthplace | Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture |
| Height and weight | 188cm, 63kg |
| blood type | B type |
| debut | 1993 NSC Osaka School 12th Class |
His towering height of 188cm is a striking feature that makes him stand out on stage. He formed the comedy duo "Viridian" in 1993, and after the duo disbanded in 2001, he joined Yoshimoto Shinkigeki as a solo comedian. In 2006, he became the youngest ever leader of Yoshimoto Shinkigeki, a position he held until his retirement in 2022.
5. About my wife and children
Kazutoyo Koyabu is married and not single. His wife is a non-celebrity woman, and they married in 2001. It has been reported that they met by chance after graduating from high school and got married after dating for about nine years. Because his wife is a private citizen, her name and photograph have not been made public, and there is no information that can be definitively identified. They have children, and stories about their family are sometimes shared on television and other media.
6. Why don't you eat meat? Are you vegan?
Koyabu is known for not eating beef, pork, or chicken, but this is not due to veganism or religious reasons. His grandfather was a believer in a brown rice and vegetable diet, and as a result, he grew up in a household where meat was not served at the dinner table. He himself explains that it's "not a matter of ideology, but rather that he simply doesn't like the taste."
On the other hand, he does eat eggs, fish, and seafood, so he differs from the generally imagined vegan. His famous exchanges include comments like, "I eat fish sausage." Incidentally, the "Healthy Cult" seen online is the name of an online salon where Koyabu talks about his views on health and lifestyle habits, and it is not an actual religion but rather a humorous piece of content.
7. The story of Kazutoyo Koyabu and "wheelchairs"
The word "wheelchair" is often associated with Mr. Koyabu, but Mr. Koyabu himself does not use a wheelchair. This stems from an incident that occurred at Shinagawa Station in February 2019. When a woman in a wheelchair was trying to get into a taxi, Mr. Koyabu rushed over and humorously asked, "Can I help you with anything? I don't really know what to do, so please tell me." This episode went viral on social media at the time and touched many hearts. This warm response is still talked about today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. What is Kazuhiro Koyabu doing these days?
A. As a former leader of the Yoshimoto Shinkigeki comedy troupe, he is active in a wide range of fields, including television, stage, music (with the band "Jenny High"), and organizing the festival "KOYABU SONIC". He will continue to work under Yoshimoto Kogyo until the end of 2026.
Q. Is Kazuhiro Koyabu single?
A. No, I am married. I married a non-celebrity woman in 2001.
Q. Is Kazuhiro Koyabu a vegan?
A. I'm not vegan. I don't eat meat, but I do eat eggs and fish. This is a habit I developed as a child due to my grandfather's brown rice and vegetable diet.
Q. What is the difference between "retirement" and "leaving the company"?
A. Retirement means ceasing the activity itself, while leaving the agency means leaving the agency to which you belong. In this case, it is a departure from the agency, and moreover, the relationship with Yoshimoto Kogyo will continue through a partnership agreement.
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