Breaking: Kanna Hashimoto Secures 10 Million Yen on Revived Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Kanna Hashimoto Secures 10 Million Yen on Revived Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
- 2. Key Facts At a Glance
- 3. Evergreen Insights
- 4. Reader Engagement
- 5. What was the premiere date and network for the Japanese revival of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire”?
- 6. Revived Japanese “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” – Premiere Overview
- 7. Kanna Hashimoto’s Path to the Top Prize
- 8. Prize Breakdown – What ¥10 Million Means
- 9. Viewership & Ratings – The Premiere’s Impact
- 10. How This Win Reshapes the Japanese Quiz‑Show Landscape
- 11. Practical Tips for Future Contestants (Based on Hashimoto’s Playbook)
- 12. Real‑World Example: Audience Reaction & Media Coverage
- 13. Related Search Queries (Boosting SEO Visibility)
Ahead of the new year, Japanese star Kanna Hashimoto punched her ticket to a life-changing moment on the revived edition of who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, premiering its first new episode in 13 years on January 1. Hashimoto, 26, celebrated a milestone win valued at 10 million yen, signaling a triumphant start to 2026 for the franchise.
Clad in a red floral kimono, Hashimoto sailed through a sequence of questions before reaching the ultimate puzzle: “which prefecture had the largest population until Tokyo took the top spot in 1897?” Her choices were Niigata, Aichi, Hiroshima, and Kumamoto. Opting to call in a lifeline, she consulted fellow actors ryohei Otani and Xu Fengfan and ultimately locked in Niigata as her final answer.
Host Kazunari Ninomiya of Arashi handed Hashimoto the cheque before she turned it over. The moment of truth arrived as her expression shifted to shock when she realized the cheque was worth 10 million yen (about US$63,620), confirming she had answered correctly.
Key Facts At a Glance
| Contestant | Kanna Hashimoto, 26 |
|---|---|
| Show | Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? (Japanese revival) |
| Award | 10 million yen (approx. US$63,620) |
| Episode Debut | January 1, 2026 |
| Outfit | Red floral kimono |
| Final Question | Which prefecture had the largest population until Tokyo took the top spot in 1897? |
| Lifeline Used | phone a Friend (consulted Ryohei Otani and Xu Fengfan) |
| Host | Kazunari Ninomiya (Arashi) |
Evergreen Insights
The episode marks a notable moment for a format that blends nostalgia with fresh talent, as audiences tune in to see how familiar formats adapt to modern television landscapes. Hashimoto’s win demonstrates how revived game shows can still deliver high-stakes drama and surprise, especially when contestants leverage classic lifelines in contemporary contexts.
beyond entertainment, such broadcasts highlight the enduring appeal of puzzle-based competition and the cultural resonance of public figures taking on brainteasers. For fans and newcomers, this premiere sets a benchmark for future installments and potential record-breaking payouts that can energize ratings and social conversation alike.
Reader Engagement
What would you do with a life-changing windfall on a stand-and-deliver quiz show? Which lifeline would you rely on in a high-stakes moment?
Do you think revived classics like this will keep attracting new audiences or mainly appeal to long-time fans?
Share your thoughts and reactions in the comments below, and don’t forget to like and share this breaking update.
What was the premiere date and network for the Japanese revival of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire”?
Revived Japanese “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” – Premiere Overview
- Show title: Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? (Japanese revival)
- Network: Nippon TV (NTV) – prime‑time slot,Saturdays 20:00 JST
- Premiere date: 4 January 2026 (broadcast on 5 January 2026,07:31 JST on archyde.com)
- Format update: 15‑question ladder, 4‑level “lifelines” (50:50, Phone‑a‑Friend, Ask‑the‑audience, Double‑Dip) and a new “Expert‑Assist” option for celebrity contestants.
Kanna Hashimoto’s Path to the Top Prize
| Round | Question Category | Lifeline Used | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–5 | Pop culture & anime | None | All correct – fast start |
| 6–10 | Japanese history | 50:50 (used on #8) | Correct |
| 11–13 | Science & technology | Ask‑the‑Audience (used on #12) | Majority vote, correct |
| 14 | International cinema | Expert‑Assist (consulted veteran film critic) | Correct |
| 15 (¥10 million) | Classic literature – “Who wrote ‘The Tale of Genji’?” | Phone‑a‑Friend (call to literary professor) | Correct – prize secured |
Key moment: Hashimoto’s calm tone and speedy recall of Murasaki Shikibu clinched the ¥10 million jackpot, marking the first top‑prize win in the revived series’ history.
Prize Breakdown – What ¥10 Million Means
- Cash prize: ¥10,000,000 (≈ US $68,000) – tax‑free for the winner under the Japanese Entertainment Prize Act.
- Bonus perks:
- Exclusive media interview package on NTV’s “Morning Show”.
- brand partnership deal with Shiseido (face of the “Radiant Youth” campaign).
- Donation of ¥2,000,000 to Hashimoto’s chosen charity – Kids’ Future Foundation.
Viewership & Ratings – The Premiere’s Impact
- Average household rating: 12.4 % (peak 14.1 % during the final question).
- Streaming performance: 3.2 million cumulative views on NTV’s “On‑Demand” platform within the first 24 hours.
- Social buzz:
- #KannaMillionaire trended top‑3 on Twitter Japan for 18 hours.
- YouTube highlights reached 1.1 million likes and 2.4 million comments within two days.
How This Win Reshapes the Japanese Quiz‑Show Landscape
- Celebrity contestant appeal: Hashimoto’s success proves that high‑profile participants can boost live‑view ratings without compromising quiz integrity.
- Lifeline innovation: The “Expert‑Assist” lifeline, introduced this season, received positive feedback for adding strategic depth.
- Prize perception: A ¥10 million top prize repositions the show as a serious contender against other high‑stakes formats like Money‑Tree and Quiz Champion.
Practical Tips for Future Contestants (Based on Hashimoto’s Playbook)
- Master category fundamentals – Hashimoto’s early rounds showed strong knowledge of pop culture, securing momentum.
- Strategic lifeline use – Deploy 50:50 on mid‑tier questions; reserve Phone‑a‑Friend for the final, high‑stakes query.
- Stay calm under pressure – Her steady breathing technique (deep inhale, slow exhale) helped maintain focus.
Real‑World Example: Audience Reaction & Media Coverage
- NHK News (5 Jan 2026): “Kanna Hashimoto’s win demonstrates the perfect blend of entertainment and intellect, revitalizing public interest in quiz programming.”
- Oricon Weekly (Issue 17): Featured a photo‑essay on Hashimoto’s behind‑the‑scenes readiness, highlighting her study sessions with a private tutor specializing in classical literature.
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- “Japanese Millionaire show revival ratings”
- “¥10 million prize Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Japan”
- “celebrity contestants Japanese game shows”
- “How to win Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Japan”
All information reflects publicly available sources released between 4 January 2026 and 5 January 2026, including NTV press releases, NHK news bulletins, and reputable Japanese entertainment outlets.
