Keiichiro Koyama

Keiichiro Koyama is a Japanese singer, actor, and radio personality, best known as the leader of the boy band NEWS under Starto Entertainment. Since the group's formation in 2003, he has been its steady anchor, guiding it through lineup changes and industry shifts while building a parallel career in acting, hosting, and variety television.

As of 2026, Koyama continues to expand his horizons with a solo digital push, including his YouTube channel CHOIYAMA and a TikTok account, while maintaining regular radio programs and appearances on Japanese variety shows. His recent lead role in the drama Takasugi-san's Obento showcased his acting range, and he remains a prominent figure in Japanese entertainment.

Fans know him for his warm, dependable persona and his playful social media presence, where he shares everything from meal photos to behind-the-scenes moments. His marriage to AAA singer Misako Uno and their growing family add a personal dimension to his public image, endearing him to audiences. [edit]

Keiichiro Koyama was born on May 1, 1984, in Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture, the youngest of two children. Growing up in the suburbs of Tokyo, he was an active child with an early interest in entertainment. He joined Johnny & Associates as a trainee during his teenage years, a decision that set the course for his career. Standing 177 cm tall with blood type O, he was a natural fit for the idol industry.

As a trainee, Koyama was placed in the junior group K.K.Kity, where he honed his singing and dancing skills alongside other hopefuls. His big break came in September 2003, when he was selected as a founding member of NEWS, a special unit created for the 2003 FIFA World Volleyball Tournament. Being the oldest of the group's original members, he naturally assumed the role of leader.

Before NEWS's official debut in 2004, Koyama spent months in intensive training, balancing rehearsals with his duties as a student. His early experiences in the agency taught him the discipline and teamwork that would define his leadership style. Those formative years, though demanding, prepared him for the pressures of idol life in one of Japan's most competitive entertainment companies. [edit]

NEWS made their CD debut in September 2004 with the single "Nippon," and Koyama quickly established himself as the group's reliable frontman. Over the next two decades, he guided NEWS through numerous releases, tours, and television appearances, becoming a familiar face in Japanese households. In 2020, following Yuya Tegoshi's departure, NEWS was reduced to a three-member lineup, with Koyama continuing as leader.

Outside of NEWS, Koyama built a diverse portfolio. He has hosted several radio programs, including long-running shows that showcase his conversational charm. His acting career took a major leap in September 2024 when he was cast as the lead in Takasugi-san's Obento, a drama about a single father and his daughter. The series premiered on October 2, 2024, co-starring Kokoro Hirasawa, and earned praise for his warm portrayal.

In January 2026, Koyama expanded his digital presence by launching his official YouTube channel, CHOIYAMA, and a TikTok account. His TikTok quickly amassed approximately 182,200 followers and 4.5 million likes. His content, which focuses on food and daily life, reflects his approachable personality. Meanwhile, NEWS announced their album KMK in June 2026 as part of the group's 25th-anniversary trilogy, with Koyama's initials lending the title its name. [edit]

Koyama is widely perceived as the dependable "mother figure" of NEWS, known for his caring and responsible nature. His public persona is warm and approachable, with a cheerful social media voice that frequently features emojis and everyday moments. Fans appreciate his authenticity, whether he's sharing a meal or a behind-the-scenes look at his work. His content across YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram leans toward food, lifestyle, and glimpses of his professional life, reinforcing his image as a relatable and grounded celebrity. [edit]

Keiichiro Koyama stands as a steady anchor in Japanese entertainment, leading the boy band NEWS since its 2003 formation while navigating industry shifts and personal milestones. His dual career as an idol and news caster for *news every.* has cemented his status as a unique figure who bridges pop culture and mainstream media. Despite decades of activity, iFANN's Global Fame Engine has evaluated this person, but they do not currently hold a placement in the published rankings (Global Top 1,000 or a Top-100 scope list). The lack of a formal global ranking reflects a career deeply rooted in domestic markets rather than viral international spikes. Fans generally identify themselves simply as supporters of NEWS, with no specific standalone moniker like those seen in Western idol scenes. This collective identity centers on Koyama's role as the group's dependable "mother figure," a persona built on two decades of protective leadership and calm crisis management. Interactions often revolve around his long-running radio programs and his recent pivot to digital platforms like YouTube and TikTok, where he shares culinary content under the channel name CHOIYAMA. While fan mobilization is strong during album releases like *JAPANEWS*, individual campaigns dedicated solely to Koyama remain less documented compared to group efforts. His marriage to Misako Uno in 2024 marked a significant cultural moment, drawing attention from fans who view their union as a power couple milestone within the Johnny & Associates legacy. The audience appreciates his authenticity, whether he is discussing daily life or addressing past controversies with transparency.[edit]

Keiichiro Koyama's YouTube channel, CHOIYAMA, blends "choi" (Korean for delicious) with his surname, featuring the tagline "gochisousama." He began surfing in 2024, with photos of his skills described by fans as "too handsome." His blood type is O, and he frequently uses a hibiscus emoji in social media posts. He turned 42 on May 1, 2026, celebrating with a dedicated Instagram hashtag. In his videos, he has been known to dance with content creator @monaki_official. A defining chapter of his career occurred in June 2018 when he took a hiatus following an underage drinking scandal involving an audio clip that sparked widespread discussion. Another major life event was his private marriage to AAA member Misako Uno on March 13, 2024, which transformed him into a prominent subject of interest for high-profile idol marriages. Fans also cherish his unique role as a news caster for *news every.*, a position he has held since 2010, distinguishing him from peers who rarely engage in traditional journalism. His resilience through COVID-19 infections in 2020 and 2022 further solidified his reputation as a stabilizing force for the group.[edit]

Koyama is the youngest of two children, though details about his parents and siblings remain private. He married Misako Uno, a singer in the group AAA, on March 13, 2024. The couple announced their first pregnancy in February 2025, and their child was born later that year. Koyama and Uno keep their family life largely out of the spotlight, but they occasionally share glimpses on social media. The family resides in the Tokyo area, balancing their demanding careers with parenthood. [edit]

Koyama is closely associated with his wife Misako Uno, a singer in AAA, and his fellow NEWS members Takahisa Masuda and Shigeaki Kato. He co-starred with actress Kokoro Hirasawa in Takasugi-san's Obento. Former member Yuya Tegoshi departed the group in 2020. [edit]

Koyama's public dating history is relatively private. Before his marriage, he was linked to a few women, but no confirmed long-term relationships were documented. In 2018, he was involved in a scandal involving an underage girl, which led to a brief hiatus, but no romantic relationship was confirmed.

In March 2024, Koyama married Misako Uno, a singer in the group AAA. The couple had been publicly linked for some time before the announcement. They announced their first pregnancy in February 2025, and their child was born later that year. As of 2026, Koyama and Uno remain married, and he is reportedly a devoted husband and father. [edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Keiichiro Koyama's net worth in 2026 is estimated at $10 Million. His financial portfolio is anchored by his work with NEWS, a group that has released over 20 singles and multiple albums since 2004, consistently charting in the top 10 in Japan. Touring and merchandise sales contribute significantly to his earnings, alongside his acting work, including his 2024 lead role in Takasugi-san's Obento. Koyama also generates revenue from his long-running radio programs and frequent appearances on Japanese variety shows. Since launching his YouTube and TikTok channels in January 2026, he has added digital content monetization to his income streams. Endorsements and official fan-club merchandise, such as the "CHOI meeting" photo prints, provide additional revenue. His financial standing reflects decades of steady work in one of Japan's most competitive entertainment industries.[edit]