Shock! Japanese batting champion who suddenly divorced in August spotted in close hotel date with a "beer girl" → The nation is in an uproar

*This content was translated by AI.

Kozono Gaito (24, Hiroshima Toyo Carp), an infielder from the Japan national baseball team, is facing a new personal life scandal shortly after announcing his sudden divorce in August, shocking baseball fans across the country.

On the 9th, Japan's representative tabloid "Weekly Bunshun" revealed photos showing Kozono affectionately standing close to a beer vendor (so-called "beer girl") at a hotel where he stayed after a game.

According to the report, Kozono's ex-wife and influencer Watanabe Lisa (24) had long been in deep conflict over his complicated romantic entanglements with women. A close associate of the couple stated, "Reports regarding Kozono's relationships with women have been continuously received on Watanabe's personal SNS," adding that "Watanabe had already seriously considered divorce about a year ago."

The woman in the photos obtained by Weekly Bunshun was identified as "Ms. A, who works as a beer vendor (beer girl) for a certain team." The photos are believed to have been taken near a hotel in Makuhari, Chiba Prefecture, during an away game against Hiroshima in June 2025. An acquaintance of Ms. A said, "We do not know the specific details of how they met, but we understand that after the game, they dined together at a hotel and enjoyed a secret affair."

Kozono's personal life troubles did not end there. It was reported that Watanabe had continuously received reports about his inappropriate behavior during away games, such as frequently drinking with women at bars in Roppongi every time the team traveled to Tokyo.

The reason these personal life issues are drawing even fiercer criticism is that he announced a sudden divorce only recently. Earlier, Kozono officially announced his divorce from his wife, famous influencer Watanabe Lisa, in late August. Japan's "Daily Sports" reported on August 31 that "while they informed the public of their divorce via SNS, they remained completely silent regarding the specific reasons for the breakup."

At the time, Kozono issued a brief statement via SNS saying, "I have divorced Watanabe. I will refrain from commenting on the circumstances leading to the divorce," while Watanabe also drew a line by stating, "I cannot disclose the reasons or circumstances that led to the divorce, and the children will live with me."

Watanabe, of Brazilian-Japanese mixed heritage, debuted as a model for the popular teenage fashion magazine "Popteen" at age 14. She gave birth to her first child during her teens, becoming known as a "teenage mother" model and attracting public attention. She is currently active as an exclusive model for fashion magazines and a top influencer with over 1 million followers. The couple, who married in 2021 when Kozono was 20 and Watanabe was 19, had two children but ultimately reached a breakup.

Before the fallout from the divorce had even subsided, photos of their secret affair spread, and Kozono was already implicated in the so-called "zombie cigarette" (the controlled drug etomidate) scandal.

The "zombie cigarette" incident was triggered by a former professional player who was arrested last February and convicted on charges of using etomidate in May. Subsequently, in July, photos were released showing suspects indicted for supplying the drug mingling with active players through Japanese media outlets such as "Flash." The photos included Kozono along with his teammates Masaya Yano and Shusuke Tamura, causing a major stir.

According to reports at the time, upon reading articles about the drug involvement, Watanabe expressed deep disappointment to those around her by saying, "It is truly over now," which is believed to have been the final blow that led to her decision to divorce.

Kozono secured the Central League batting title (batting average 0.309) and highest on-base percentage (0.365) titles in the 2025 season, becoming a two-time champion. He is a key asset for the team, which selected him as a member of the Japan national team for the WBC last March. However, this season he has recorded somewhat sluggish statistics with a batting average of 0.257, one home run, and 23 RBIs in 101 first-division games. Following various controversies, he was removed from the first-division roster and has been playing only in second-division games since August 18.

Kozono, who had established himself as a team star and a regular member of the Japan national baseball team despite being in his mid-20s, is currently facing trials due to poor batting performance and a series of scandals, including his removal from the first-division roster effective August 18. With the fatal drug scandal allegations erupting off the field, reports of secret affairs during away games, and the sudden divorce all piling up, Japanese baseball fans' disappointment over his uncontrollably plummeting personal life has reached its peak.

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*This content was translated by AI.