TV Asahi's main newscaster Furutachi to step down

TV Asahi's main newscaster Furutachi to step down

Ichiro Furutachi, the face of TV Asahi Corp.'s news show, attends a press conference in Tokyo on Dec. 24, 2015, announcing he will step down from the anchor post in spring 2016. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

TV Asahi's main newscaster Furutachi to step down

TV Asahi's main newscaster Furutachi to step down

Ichiro Furutachi, the face of TV Asahi Corp.'s news show, attends a press conference in Tokyo on Dec. 24, 2015, announcing he will step down from the anchor post in spring 2016. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

TV Asahi's main newscaster Furutachi to step down next spring

TV Asahi's main newscaster Furutachi to step down next spring

Photo taken in May 2004 shows Ichiro Furutachi, the anchor of TV Asahi's news show "Hodo Station." The major network said Dec. 24, 2015, that Furutachi, 61, will step down from the post at the end of March 2016 based on his request. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

"Mad chatter" Furutachi overwhelms crowd with nonstop talk

"Mad chatter" Furutachi overwhelms crowd with nonstop talk

Kabuki actor Onoe Kikunosuke (L) and TV personality Ichiro Furutachi pose in front of Kabukiza Theatre, where they performed in an event in collaboration with the Tokyo International Film Festival, on Oct. 27, 2016. Furutachi, known as "the mad chatter," overwhelmed the crowd -- and interpreters -- there with his nonstop talk. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japanese kabuki actor, silent film narrator keep traditions alive

Japanese kabuki actor, silent film narrator keep traditions alive

(From L) "Benshi" silent film narrator Ichiro Kataoka, kabuki actor Onoe Kikunosuke and TV personality Ichiro Furutachi pose in front of Kabukiza Theatre in Tokyo, where they performed in an event in collaboration with the Tokyo International Film Festival, on Oct. 27, 2016. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo