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| Former AKB48 Member Kashiwagi Yuki Reportedly Planning Marriage With Comedian Suga chan Saiko No 1 in 2026 (Photo: NikkanSports) |
Big news is buzzing through the J-Pop world, and AKB48 fans are definitely sitting up for this one. According to Japanese media reports, former AKB48 member Kashiwagi Yuki aka Yukirin is reportedly preparing to marry comedian Suga-chan Saiko No.1 sometime in 2026.
The couple, both born in 1991, have been quietly dating since September 2024.
While they’ve never made a flashy announcement, industry insiders say their relationship has been steady, serious, and heading firmly towards marriage.
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Their relationship first caught public attention in late 2024, when weekly magazines reported the pair spending time together after Suga-chan’s birthday solo live event. (ICYMI: Kashiwagi Yuki Dating Suga Chan)
Photos showed them heading back to Kashiwagi’s home, sparking instant headlines.
When approached by reporters at the time, Suga-chan didn’t deny the romance, joking that his feelings were very much “love and getchu”.
Since then, the couple have continued dating for around a year and a half, with those close to them describing the relationship as healthy and well-balanced.
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At public events following the reports, Suga-chan kept things playful when asked about his love life, while his comedy partner jokingly spoke on his behalf, fuelling even more curiosity among fans.
Kashiwagi Yuki officially graduated from AKB48 in April 2024 after a record-breaking 17-year run, the longest in the group’s history. Her departure marked a major life shift, especially as she openly admitted that staying in the group made it difficult to even consider future milestones like marriage or starting a family.
In a TV appearance aired in November 2025, she spoke candidly about her views on marriage.
While she joked about being hopeless at housework and organisation, she also shared that graduating was partly about giving herself the chance to step into a new life stage, without pressure but with possibility.
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That honesty resonated strongly with fans, many of whom have grown up watching her career from her teenage years to her mid-30s.
While Kashiwagi transitions into her post-idol career, including her work as a cosmetics brand producer, Suga-chan’s career is also on a strong upward curve.
His comedy trio topped Japan’s breakout comedian rankings, and he has since expanded into drama appearances and solo media work.
Despite his flashy on-screen persona, people who’ve worked with him often describe him as sincere, supportive, and surprisingly grounded. With both sides entering a more stable phase professionally, it’s no surprise they’re now thinking seriously about the future.
For fans, this isn’t just celebrity romance news. It feels like the closing of one chapter and the beginning of another — especially for those who have followed Kashiwagi Yuki since her early AKB48 days. With marriage reportedly on the table for 2026, attention is now turning to how both will balance personal happiness with busy entertainment careers.
Will there be an official announcement soon? Could wedding plans become public later this year? And how do fans feel about seeing “Yukirin” stepping into a brand-new life role?