News anchor Iwata from Japan's Nippon Television Network has announced his departure from the broadcaster during a live broadcast. This surprising announcement came as a shock to viewers who have followed Iwata's career for years. Details on his future plans are yet to be revealed.

In Japan, broadcasters like Iwata often cultivate strong relationships with their viewers, often seen as more than deliverers of news, they are considered part of the local community. His departure will be discussed in the context of the changing news media landscape. News anchors' departures are not often announced this way in Japan and this could spark discussions on the transparency and openness in the media industry.

In the U.S. or EU, it is also a significant event when a long-standing and popular news anchor leaves a network. However, it is more common for such transitions to happen with an official statement released ahead of time, rather than a live announcement during a news program.