Japanese actor and artist Oikawa Mitsuhiro revealed his struggles with a worried personality during a promotion for a Viatris television commercial this Thursday [1].

By sharing his personal experiences with anxiety, Oikawa aims to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and encourage those suffering from persistent worry to seek professional medical assistance.

Oikawa described his tendency to overthink due to his imagination, which often leads him to worry about potential negative outcomes [1]. He shared specific examples of this anxiety, such as his concerns during concert rehearsals. He said he worried about a female dancer wearing heels on stairs, wondering what would happen if she fell during the actual performance [1].

His anxieties extend beyond the stage into social environments. Oikawa described experiencing similar feelings of worry during post-show drinking sessions with colleagues [1].

These personal reflections serve as a backdrop for his appearance in a Viatris commercial focused on Generalized Anxiety Disorder, or GAD [1]. In the advertisement, Oikawa urges viewers to recognize when worry becomes unmanageable. He said that if anxiety persists or remains constant in a person's mind, they should not try to handle it alone and should instead consult a doctor [1].

This public awareness effort coincides with a significant period in Oikawa's career. He released his 21st album overall on May 6, 2026 [2]. This project marks his first original album in two years [2], and comes as he celebrates his 30th debut anniversary [2].

““If anxiety continues... why not try consulting a doctor?””

The involvement of a high-profile celebrity like Oikawa in a pharmaceutical awareness campaign reflects a broader shift in Japan toward the normalization of mental health discussions. By linking GAD to common experiences—such as social anxiety or workplace worry—the campaign attempts to move the perception of anxiety disorders from rare clinical conditions to manageable health issues that require professional intervention.