On November 11, Japanese electropop group Perfume’s 36‑year‑old member Ayaka Nishiwaki (known as “A‑chan”) announced her marriage. In her social media post she described her partner as a “general male fan,” which quickly became a trending phrase online. According to reports, however, her spouse is far from ordinary: he is Yukihiro Yoshida, fourth‑generation president of the famed Japanese leather‑goods manufacturer Yoshida & Co., Ltd., whose flagship bag brand PORTER is well‑known not only in Japan but also in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau.
Founded in 1935, Yoshida & Co. has built global recognition for its “Japan Made” craftsmanship and the value‑driven motto 「一針入魂」(one stitch, one soul).
The company notes that its PORTER brand is sold through its own stores in Tokyo and Osaka as well as department‑store counters internationally — including Taiwan.
Yukihiro Yoshida is reported to have taken over the company during the pandemic period and grew annual sales from around ¥18.2 billion (pre‑pandemic) to more than ¥20 billion. In Japanese media, he has been nicknamed the “Yoshida Bag President”.
According to insiders, Nishiwaki and Yoshida were introduced many years ago through mutual friends. Although the announcement described him as a “fan,” the relationship progressed from longtime friendship to romance and then to marriage. Sources close to them note that Yoshida deeply understands and supports her, particularly during a time when Nishiwaki was going through personal struggles.
Interestingly, social‑media posts from Nishiwaki have shown her carrying bags from PORTER, and in 2023, Perfume’s fan club released a PORTER collaboration item. While those commercial ties pre‑dated the relationship, they add an extra layer of interest for fans and fashion watchers.
While her announcement stirred joy and congratulations, the revelation of her spouse’s high‑profile business status has sparked a wave of commentary online: some applaud the marriage as a union of talents and business prestige, while others reflect on the unusual dynamic of a pop star marrying into a traditional manufacturing brand family.
In either case, A‑chan’s announcement and the story behind it have captured both entertainment and fashion headlines — merging J‑pop celebrity culture with legacy brand business intrigue.
Would you like me to pull in some reactions from Taiwanese fans or show images of the couple and the brand’s Taiwanese store?
Sources: ETtoday星光雲
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