Sasaki Nozomi revealed that after the "scandal," her husband Watabe Ken seemed like “the soul had left his body.”

Sasaki and Watabe married in 2017. In 2020, Watabe suspended his media appearances after reports surfaced about multiple affairs. He resumed his career in 2022.

When the host Higashino asked her if divorce had been a possibility, Sasaki replied, “I was so shocked, I just couldn’t process it. I was like, ‘What is going on?’ It was really tough.”

She said about Watabe, “He looked like the soul had left his body. He was probably just putting on a brave face,” revealing that he seemed totally out of it.

When asked, “Didn’t your friends say anything?” she recalled, “Yeah, some friends told me, ‘Divorce might be an option too,’” as she looked back on that time.

When their first child was about 1 and a half, Sasaki Nozomi’s mother told her, “It’s your decision, but the child is still young, so think carefully. If you divorce now… are you sure about that?” Her mother’s words, focused on the child’s future, really stuck with her.

Sasaki admitted that at first, she seriously considered divorce. But seeing how good of a father Watabe was, caring for and loving their child, made her decide to believe in his love for their kid.

She also thought about the future: if they divorced and the child later found out why, would they prefer a dad who stayed nearby and raised them, or one who was gone? She figured the child would feel more loved and secure with a father who stayed close.

[+43, -158] 

source: Girls Channel

1. [+907, -92]

Why didn’t she just divorce him?

>> It’s just that she hasn’t divorced yet because their child is still little.

>> There are quite a few celebrity couples who don’t divorce even after repeated cheating. I think for some people, cheating doesn’t automatically mean divorce.

>> I kinda get it now when people say she has that “mild delinquent” kind of pure and loyal heart. People like that don’t abandon their partner or friends, no matter how badly they mess up.

2. [+456, -42]

She’s the victim here, people should just leave her alone...

3. [+261, -59]

She’s so cute, how could anyone even cheat on her?

4. [+19, -115]

I’m starting to feel kind of sorry for Watabe too...

>> Huh? Why the sympathy?? Fu*k him. I just hope he spends the rest of his life as Sasaki Nozomi’s servant.

5. [+306, -23]

They’re probably going to ride this story (and her image) for a while, huh.

6. [+575, -95]

I watched the show, and Sasaki Nozomi’s love and dedication are incredible. Watabe owes her a lifetime of gratitude and loyalty. He better not make the same mistake again. 

7. [+262, -12]

Instead of rushing to divorce or kicking someone out, gradually wearing them down mentally feels like a more effective approach.

8. [+357, -10]

It’s a mystery why they haven’t divorced yet, and also why she doesn’t make him do more housework.

9. [+100, -4]

She really opened up about it, huh? The pay must have been good.

10. [+293, -5]

Here it comes, the classic “he looks like his soul has left his body” line from someone who knows he messed up and wants to play the self pity card. 

11. [+119, -3]

Sasaki Nozomi chose to stay married for the sake of her child, but I think that choice has affected her image as a celebrity going forward. She clearly prioritized her family.