Matsumoto Hitoshi is almost unemployed but is thriving thanks to the huge profits he is making from overseas distribution．．．but he still has complicated circumstances that make him unable to agree to a settlement．
“I am very pleased that the idea of the extraordinary talent that is Matsumoto Hitoshi has spread to the world,” said Yoshimoto Kogyo Holdings President Akihiko Okamoto in a keynote speech with James Farrell, head of international originals at Amazon MGM Studios, at MIPCOM2024, the world’s largest international content distribution market held in Cannes, France on the 21st. “Documental,” which was planned and produced by Downtown’s Matsumoto Hitoshi (61), is currently being distributed on Amazon Prime Video under the title “Last One Laughing (LOL)” in more than 25 countries and regions around the world. Matsumoto’s humor has been accepted and praised around the world. Matsumoto is currently on hiatus from show business as he is awaiting trial for a sexual assault report published by Shukan Bunshun at the end of last year, but he is said to be making a huge amount of money from overseas distribution. “In Japan, Netflix’s original dramas ’The Land Fraudsters’ and ’The Evil Queen’ have been huge hits, but LOL is said to be making more money than those thanks to its global success and the weak yen. Matsumoto must have at least hundreds of millions of yen in revenue in his pocket. Matsumoto is currently seeking 550 million yen in damages from Bungeishunju during the trial, but he will not be in any financial difficulty at all.” (Comedy industry source) Matsumoto, who had many regular appearances and signature programs and reigned at the top of the Japanese comedy world, is now facing the threat of retiring from the entertainment industry due to the sudden Bunshun bombing. Matsumoto has four regular solo shows, including TBS’s “Crazy Johnny,” and three as part of Downtown, including Nippon Television’s “Downtown D?”, for a total of seven shows. The solo show will continue with the seat vacant, and his partner Hamada Masatoshi will continue the Downtown show alone.” (Entertainment writer) The two sides are currently in dispute, and there are frequent rumors of a settlement. ■Various points that are different from Janpoke Saito “The second pre-trial hearing, which was scheduled for August 14th, has been postponed by the Tokyo District Court and will resume on November 14th. During that time, it seems the two sides had a chance to come into contact behind the scenes, and it is said that Bunshun asked Matsumoto to apologize to the woman. However, accepting this would mean admitting to sexual assault, so Matsumoto’s side is said to have rejected it. “The case is different in many ways from Jungle Pocket’s Saito Shinji’s case, as he was recently accused of sexual assault by a woman and was fired from Yoshimoto,” (Entertainment writer, as above). When it was announced that “Freez,” which he planned and produced, would be sold as a format to Portugal’s largest TV station, tv?, Matsumoto expressed his joy at the fact that his humor is in demand overseas: “I’m happy that my laughter will spread to the world after ’Documental.’” Although it seems possible to find a way to expand overseas, including through streaming programs, Matsumoto says he is committed to his entertainment activities in Japan. “No matter how much he earns overseas, he probably wants to return to his original place and work with the entertainers, staff and associates who trust him and are waiting for him,” said the aforementioned comedian. Last time, Bunshun offered to “present all concrete allegations and evidence,” but how will the trial unfold? (Honda Kei/Entertainment Journalist).
Matsumoto is always targeted by the weekly magazines whenever he steps outside, and the public sees him as a rapist. Even if he has money, he doesn’t seem very happy.
>>27 Matsumoto: “I’ll be on Wide na Show” Fuji: “I can’t make it. “Don’t make a fuss about it, you idiot.” Getting stabbed in the back by a TV station that I thought would listen to me was the funniest thing I’ve seen this year.
“Who’s going to make me happy today…?” → Silence “Let’s go on a shy date!” → Silence “You’re hungry, right? Here’s some Donbei!” → Silence Even the world-famous Matsumoto can skate miserably sometimes The professional world is tough.
>>37 If it really is groundless, there’s no need for Matsumoto to propose a settlement. As Matsumoto said, all they have to do is fight thoroughly, and it’s not complicated. If Matsumoto gives in, it means they have to admit some of the facts. His pride () probably won’t allow it. He probably thought that if he took more time off work than necessary for a civil lawsuit for defamation and offered a super high amount of compensation, Bunshun would back down without arguing. I think it’s a matter of money.
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