Japanese comedian drops libel suit over sexual assault article

TOKYO - One of Japan’s most popular comedians, who denied sexual assault allegations published in a prominent magazine, said on Nov 8 that he was withdrawing a libel case against the magazine.

Japan’s Shukan Bunshun magazine published a report in 2023 quoting two women who alleged Mr Hitoshi Matsumoto, now 61, forced them into sexual activities at private parties at a Tokyo upscale hotel in 2015.

Among the claims, one woman alleged forced oral sex and the other said she was forcibly kissed.

There are “no facts whatsoever” in the accusations against comedian and TV presenter Matsumoto, his talent agency said in a statement.

On Nov 8, Mr Matsumoto posted a statement from his lawyers on X, which said that through communications with people involved in the issue, “we confirmed that there was no physical evidence to directly show coercion.”

“So as to avoid causing more troubles to many people by continuing this lawsuit, (Matsumoto) decided to withdraw it,” it added.

Mr Matsumoto and the women participated in a meeting, the statement said, adding no money was exchanged between the parties in the decision to withdraw the case.

“(Matsumoto) sincerely apologises if there were any women who felt uncomfortable or hurt,” it said.

Mr Matsumoto is half of the comedy duo known as Downtown, a household name in Japan.

His talent agency Yoshimoto Kogyo had said at the time that that article “seriously degrades the social reputation of (Matsumoto)“.

On Nov 8, the agency said it will discuss his return to work with relevant parties and will announce a decision as soon as one is finalised.

Shukan Bunshun said it had agreed to the withdrawal of the suit, saying it had consulted the women affected and Mr Matsumoto’s “lawyers contacted us about a plan to announce an apology to those who felt hurt.”

Bunshun was one of the first publications to report, as long ago as 1999, on a sex abuse scandal that rocked Japan’s entertainment industry earlier this year.

A boy band empire formerly known as Johnny & Associates admitted in September its late founder had sexually abused young recruits over decades, leading to an organisational shake-up. AFP