Regarding the lawsuit between Downtown’s Matsumoto Hitoshi (61) and the weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun, it was announced on the Yoshimoto Kogyo official website on November 8 that the lawsuit had been dropped by mutual consent of both parties. The incident began in December 2023 when Shukan Bunshun published an article based on the testimony of a woman who claimed that Matsumoto had forced her to engage in sexual acts. Following this article, Matsumoto suspended his entertainment activities in January of this year and filed a lawsuit against the publisher Bungeishunju, seeking 550 million yen in damages. Regarding Matsumoto’s resumption of activities, Yoshimoto Kogyo commented, “We will consult with all relevant parties and make an announcement as soon as a decision has been made.” As fans get excited about the comments suggesting a return, some radical “Matsu-chan defenders” have begun treating female talents who have made negative comments about Matsumoto as “war criminals.” The three names that are primarily being mentioned are Rino Sashihara (31), Anmika (52), and Anna Murashige (26). Their argument, now that it has been revealed that there was no physical evidence of the sexual assault, is: “We haven’t forgotten!”, “He should apologize properly”, “We don’t want him to ever have anything to do with Macchan again”, and “Get off TV”. After Matsumoto’s sexual coercion allegations were reported, Sashihara appeared on the year-end special of “Wide na Show” (Fuji TV). In response to the online bashing of women who claim to be victims based on speculation, he has made statements defending the women, saying, “It’s probably a second rape.” “I think Sashihara just wanted to criticize the unfounded criticism leveled at women who have come forward to say they are victims. However, at the time, the trial had not yet begun, and it was unclear which side was right. “Sashihara had previously appeared with Matsumoto on Wide na Show, so her comments defending the woman on the premise that the Bunshun report was fact were met with criticism as being ungrateful,” said an entertainment writer. Anmika, who also frequently appeared with Matsumoto, also left a comment defending the woman. During an appearance on “Information Live Miyaneya” (Nippon TV) in February of this year, he prefaced his remarks by saying that the truth of the matter was unclear, but said, “For the person who set up the drinking party, it was supposed to be a fun party. However, what is called ‘harassment’ can look different depending on the angle from which it is viewed.” Those who supported Macchan were quick to criticize him, calling him a “traitor.” Furthermore, on the February broadcast of “Live Connect!” (Kansai TV) this year, Matsumoto commented on the “tribute system” in which junior comedians assign women to Matsumoto, saying that he “didn’t force them,” to which Murashige pointed out, “You’re lying.” Furthermore, in response to Matsumoto’s claim that “the drinking party was not for sexual purposes,” he offered a harsh opinion, saying that if the woman said she felt scared, “I think he should simply apologize.” While hopes for Matsumoto to resume his activities grow day by day, a search has begun for those talents who previously left negative comments about Matsumoto to blame. The talents who made negative comments are probably terrified of Macchan’s return.
I wasn’t aware of Anmika, but from reading >>1 it doesn’t seem like she said anything strange. By the way, my stance is something like, “Would I trust Bunshun even if I died?” and “Matsu-chan? Wouldn’t you have been better off just apologizing lightly from the start?”
>>1 Take full responsibility and resign from your job as a celebrity. Swear to never appear in any media again and start farming in the countryside. Get a hunting license and publicly declare that you will devote your life to exterminating stray bears. Otherwise, I don’t think you will be forgiven.
I wonder what they’ll do when Matsumoto returns. Soshina and the others have already started to back down. They’re cowards and they’re saying all sorts of things when they’re weak. Be prepared.
>>22 Soshina has the career, status, and achievements to settle down and take it easy, but he just keeps moving around like a complicated young actor whose only role is in the theater.
It seems like he’s taking notes on everyone who criticizes him and what they say. He even held a grudge over one Amazon Prime review and continued to retaliate on his show for years.
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