Japanese announcer rushes to studio bare-faced to deliver earthquake bulletin

A Japanese NHK announcer who rushed to the studio without makeup to deliver a breaking earthquake bulletin has drawn widespread attention.

According to Nikkan Sports and other outlets, a magnitude-5-plus earthquake struck Aichi Prefecture at around 1:04 a.m. Sunday, and Inai Sayaka, an announcer at NHK Nagano Broadcasting Station, was on air with a breaking bulletin within about 10 minutes.

A magnitude-5-plus quake is strong enough to make walking difficult without holding onto a fence or wall, and can knock numerous items off shelves and topple some furniture.

Inai appeared on camera that day without makeup or formal attire, wearing glasses. Inai had been at home in Nagano when the earthquake struck.

"At my home in Nagano, the shaking was measured at intensity 2, so I didn't feel it as particularly strong," Inai said. "After the emergency earthquake alert went off, I got a notification on my smartphone and headed straight to the station."

The outlet noted that Inai read the script without showing the slightest sign of flustered nerves, delivering the bulletin with composure. Inai joined the station in 2024 and is in their third year as an announcer.

In Japan, praise poured in for Inai's professionalism, with many calling the announcer a true journalist. The official profile on the station's website lists "disaster preparedness" and "minority issues" among Inai's areas of interest.