Chris Tanaka - News Anchor - CBS News Boston

Would you introduce yourself briefly?

Hello! My name is Chris Tanaka. I co-anchor WBZ News Mornings and host Walking Boston episodes on social media. I was born in Taipei, Taiwan but grew up in southern New Hampshire. I’ve been fortunate enough to live all over the country, with stops in the Midwest, Rocky Mountains, West Coast and Hawaii. It’s been a wonderful journey, and what I appreciate most is the interaction with locals along the way. It’s important to learn that the social norms and sensibilities of one place are not necessarily the same as another. People’s experiences tend to be hyper local and having the opportunity to observe and interact with so many different people really has shaped my worldview.

You have been working in broadcast journalism for over two decades. What drew you to your career in journalism?

Believe it or not, it was sports! I was a sports fan and athlete when I was younger. Like so many others I had dreams of playing pro sports, but when I stopped growing at 5’10”, those dreams died quickly! Sports journalism allowed me to stay close to the action and early in my career I had the opportunity to cover some of our country’s brightest stars and biggest events. After more than a decade, I yearned for more intellectual challenges and moved over to news. I really enjoy interacting with talented, intelligent, accomplished individuals and bringing their messages to a wide audience. There is a great challenge in synthesizing their languages into one that viewers can easily digest. Whether it’s scientific, economic or legislative, the languages used in certain sectors of society aren’t what is used on ‘main street’. Being able to translate that accurately, informatively and entertainingly is a constant challenge I relish.

Chris running the Boston Marathon

How has your Japanese-American background influenced your approach to storytelling?

Being mixed race and from a multi-national family has taught me that everyone has their own story, and regardless of what your unconscious biases may be, you need to put them aside and listen. Telling a story begins with listening and gaining an understanding of an individual or situation. We live in a world where the volume and speed of available information is increasing at exponential rates, and people are making judgments faster and faster. Breaking that cycle of rapid ingestion is imperative to understanding greater, deeper contexts. In personal interviews or conversations, to listen to someone is to honor them. What they share with you is what they want to be told. In official interviews, deeply listening can allow you to learn what’s not being said and to probe further. In both instances, there is a deep responsibility to accurately represent individuals and organizations, without bias or pretext.

When you moved to Boston in 2022, what struck you about the city?

Moving back was surreal. I earned my undergraduate degree from Boston College in the 1990s (gasp!) and moved away in 1999. The city has grown so much since then, yet its spirit remains unchanged. Boston is a place steeped in history, academics and the arts. It was a comfort to return to those societal tentpoles. The new buildings and neighborhoods were a stark reminder that even in one of the most parochial cities in the country, change is undeniable. It’s been such a joy to watch new leaders emerge and implement their plans and vision for the city. Moving back has also given me the opportunity to go on a ‘Thank you’ tour and reconnect with people who made positive impacts on my life trajectory and friends who I haven’t seen in decades.

What do you like to do for fun?

Nothing beats spending time with family. My wife and I love exploring New England with our sons and showing them firsthand how special this place is. From the mountains to the coast and everywhere in between, family outings are what I savor most. Individually, I’m a big kid who loves to play outside. Skiing, surfing, running...I love interacting with nature in a physical way. To me there’s so much benefit to it. When you’re riding a wave, there’s a connection to nature that doesn’t exist when you are on a personal watercraft or powerboat. Skiing and running compel you to work with the environment, instead of trying to dominate it with a motorized vehicle.

Chris and his family

JSB is fortunate to count you among our members. What have you enjoyed about being involved with JSB?

I love the mission of the Society and the different ways it serves its members and the community. It’s critically important. For many, the Japanese and Japanese-American experience is an assimilative one. We’re taught from an early age to blend in, keep our heads down and do the work. It’s not always easy to break away from those norms. Having the Japan Society of Boston serve as a social connector and cultural ambassador is invaluable to bringing us closer to each other and the community. It’s refreshing, uplifting and instills a sense of deep pride for who we are, and what we represent.

Chris will also be the MC for JSB's 2026 Gala Dinner! More info here.