Free announcer Mari Watanabe (41) revealed on Thursday that she has married Ichiro Takai (45), a producer for Fuji TV. The news was announced during a press conference held after a taping of TV Asahi's "Medical Horror Check Show," on which Watanabe is a regular with host Takeshi Kitano. Kitano appeared at the press conference, serving as Takai's substitute.

Watanabe and Takai tied the knot on August 27, only about three months after they first met. They were introduced to each other in May by free announcer Akiko Yagi, who attended the same middle school and high school as Watanabe. The date of 8/27 was apparently chosen because of their birthdays - 2/27 for Takai and 6/27 for Watanabe.

Watanabe mentioned that she plans to continue working under her original name.