[Actor Rosa Kato] Because the Whole Family is Busy, those Rare Meals We Share around the Table Mean the Most

How do professionals who continue to challenge themselves in various fields such as sports, business, art, and culture approach their bodies and unleash their potential? We ask about the "conditioning" they practice in their lifestyles.

This time, we interviewed actor Rosa Kato. At the height of her popularity in her mid-20s, she got married and had two children. In her private life, she moved frequently overseas and within Japan, accompanying her husband, a professional soccer player, as he transferred clubs.

*Conditioning, as defined by TENTIAL, is the act of optimizing all factors related to one's physical condition to improve life performance.

Interview as of November 2024

My 30s were all about parenting. I’m finally able to turn some attention back to myself.

— After marrying, you seemed focused on supporting your husband and raising your children, but last year you returned to a TV drama series. Is this a phase where your lifestyle is shifting?

Yes. I have two boys, and they’ve both grown to where they can do most things on their own without help. They go to club activities and lessons by themselves and come home by themselves, and even when I can’t prepare meals, they can buy food and eat on their own.

In daily life too, they’ve built their own worlds, and I’m gradually becoming less needed there.

Along with that, I’ve gained more free time for myself.

— With parenting settling down, are you gearing up to fully return to work?

Yes. I’m starting to think about gradually taking on more work.

That said, this line of work isn’t something you can do just because you want to. It only comes together when someone needs you. Who knows what the future holds, though.

— Is your family supportive of you working?

Yes. The kids even say, “Why wasn’t Mom working?” I answer, “Because of you two!” (laughs).

My husband is also supportive of me fully getting back to work.

— Are you aiming to focus on acting? Or on variety/TV personality work?

I love acting—creating a piece together as one team—and I also enjoy variety shows. If opportunities come and the schedule fits, I’d like to restart little by little.

Those Occasional Meals when the Whole Family Eats Together are My Happiest Moments

— What are you enjoying most right now?

Probably “when the whole family is together.” The kids are busy with school and clubs even on weekends, and my husband is often away for events or coaching. It’s not unusual for him to be gone for several days.

In our family, where everyone is off doing their own thing, once in a great while we get this miracle of all four of us sitting down to eat together.

— As children grow up, family time becomes precious, doesn’t it?

It really does.

I also enjoy when I can use my personal time well. I’m planning a trip with my mother soon, which I’m excited about, and even savoring a slow coffee alone makes me feel fulfilled—even if it’s something small (laughs).

The Toughest Time Was “Raising Kids Alone in Unfamiliar Places”

— Looking back, was there a time you felt you hit a wall?

Probably parenting without acquaintances around when we lived overseas or in regional cities in Japan. My first experience of parenting was abroad, and it was tough. I didn’t have anyone to consult, and it wasn’t yet an era where you could easily look things up on a smartphone, so I devoured blogs by locals and somehow made it through.

— That must have been even harder with the language barrier.

We were in France, Bulgaria, and Poland, moving on each year. Before we could settle, we were off to the next place.

We couldn’t communicate, and not everywhere was as safe as in Japan, so I rarely went out with the kids.

— When you returned to Japan, you first lived in Shizuoka Prefecture, correct?

In Shizuoka, my second son was born, and I had to raise two kids solo. I’ve never been great at communicating with people, so I remember feeling very lonely raising children in a place where I knew no one.

But for the children’s sake, I went to the local children’s center, approached moms nearby to ask about preschools and pediatricians, and also relied on public services.

As I did that, my circle of mom friends slowly grew, and eventually I even had a friend who, when I was bedridden with illness, left strawberries hanging on my front door. I was truly blessed with friends.

Looking back, Shizuoka was when I really experienced “hell to heaven.”

Maybe there Haven’T been any Perfect Days since I Hit My 30s (Laughs)

— TENTIAL’s mission is to support the wellness of people in Japan. Do you feel any physical issues yourself?

Oh, absolutely!

Ever since I entered my 30s, I’ve felt like I can’t shake the fatigue.

— Have you considered the cause?

I probably push myself too hard.

I’ve been working flat out since the kids were born, plus supporting my husband.

I’m not particularly robust and I lack stamina, so the day after I overdo it, I sometimes can barely get out of bed.

— Do you do anything to build stamina?

I do Pilates. I also started walking last year.

My husband tells me, “At least keep up some exercise, even a little.”

But he lives in a completely different world from me, so I could never keep up (laughs).

He trains like crazy and is constantly on the move—you wonder when he even sleeps. He’s a total stamina monster (laughs).

I also go to the hot-spring spa and use the heated stone sauna to work up a sweat.

— Are you particular about your diet?

As I mentioned, everyone in our family is busy, and we rarely manage to all eat together. So inevitably we mostly eat at home rather than out. I think our meals are reasonably balanced. With growing boys, the menu tends to be hearty, though.

— Do you pay attention to the length and quality of your sleep?

As for sleep time, my husband is very particular about sleep, so we tell the kids to sleep a lot. Our younger son still goes to bed at 9, and while our older son isn’t the type who can sleep long due to his constitution, we still put him to bed early when he was little.

Personally, as the kids have grown and I no longer co-sleep, I’ve been able to sleep deeply. Sharing a bed with children, even a slight movement would wake me and I’d be adjusting their covers. Looking back, I really wasn’t sleeping soundly then.

TENTIAL’S Concept is Spot-On for our Sleep-First Family

— We heard your family uses TENTIAL’s eye mask.

Yes. Our first TENTIAL item was the BAKUNE Eye Mask my husband brought home as a golf prize. My son and I tried it right away, and it was great!

I like how it gently wraps around the eyes. My son uses it to sleep during car rides. If he doesn’t do anything, he ends up looking at his phone and can’t sleep, but with the eye mask on, he’s out like a light.

The hook-and-loop closure makes it easy to adjust the size, which is convenient.

Photo: Viewing BAKUNE ladies

— Were you familiar with recovery wear?

I didn’t know about it until recently, but my husband seems to have been using it as loungewear for a few years.

After checking out various items this time, my favorite was the soft knit BAKUNE Soft Knit. The drapey, skin-hugging feel is amazing!

It felt incredibly good. Just putting it on helps me relax.

It’s cute not only as pajamas but also for daytime wear.

— Anything else catch your eye?

I think the MIGARU series would be great as winter “one-mile wear.” When I go back to my parents’ home, I like to visit nearby hot springs, and wearing it for that seems cozy without feeling constricting, while keeping you warm.

I’d also like to use it when I go to a super sento in Tokyo.

By the way, my husband wears the MIGARU set he received almost every day.

He even takes it on business trips—so much that he barely has time to wash it (laughs).

— We’re glad your whole family likes it.

For a household like ours that prioritizes sleep, it’s a perfect match. The designs are simple and easy for anyone to accept, so I plan to recommend them to athlete friends and to grandparents too!

Actor Rosa Kato

An actor with an Italian father and Japanese mother. She debuted as a fashion model in high school, then expanded into films, commercials, and TV dramas. In her private life, she married former Japan national soccer team player Daisuke Matsui in 2011. She is also a mother of two sons.