Yahoo! Japan News (Archive link)

Translation by DeepL:

Three serialized works by manga artist Masashi Ueda (79)—known for popular titles such as “*Kobo-chan (Kobo, the Li’l Rascal)*”—have all come to an end. The news was announced in a surprise statement published in the magazines themselves. On the 7th, three publishers—including Houbunsha, publisher of “Manga Time,” which has carried “*Otoboke Buchō Dairi (The Clumsy Acting Department Head)*” for 45 years—released an unusual joint message across publishing company boundaries in their magazines, expressing their gratitude for his many years of contributions.

　The three series coming to an end are “*Otoboke Bachō Dairi” in Houbunsha’s “Manga Time,” “Kariage-kun” in Futabasha’s “Manga Action,” and “New Furiten-kun” in Takeshobo’s “Manga Life Original.” “Otoboke Buchō Dai-ri” has been serialized for 45 years since the magazine’s launch, while “Kariage-kun*” has been running since 1980 and was entering its 46th year this year.

In the issues of “Manga Action” and “Manga Time” released that day, the editorial departments of Houbunsha, Futabasha, and Takeshobo published a joint statement. “We would like to express our deepest and most heartfelt gratitude to Masashi Ueda, who has provided us with the finest humor for so many years. Thank you very much.” This marked an unusual move, with the publishers expressing their gratitude collectively, transcending their respective company boundaries.

Mr. Ueda gained popularity in the 1970s with “*Furiten-kun” and went on to create numerous nationally beloved four-panel manga series, such as “Kariage-kun” and “Kobo-chan*.” Known as a leading figure in the Japanese four-panel manga world, he has spent many years depicting the daily lives of office workers and families with abundant humor.