TV host Kokubun steps down after misconduct surfaces
Nippon TV President Hiroyuki Fukuda addressed the media on June 20 following an emergency board meeting, expressing regret over the situation.
'It is a serious and unfortunate matter,' Fukuda said.
However, he declined to disclose specific details of Kokubun's misconduct, citing privacy concerns.
Kokubun, 50, also released a public apology, announcing that he would be suspending all entertainment activities for the time being.
'The root cause lies entirely in my own lack of awareness of the position I hold, my complacency, poor judgment and inadequate behavior,' he said in the statement.
Kokubun rose to fame as a member of the popular boy band Tokio and later expanded into acting and hosting TV and radio programs.
His sudden announcement of suspension will leave broadcasters scrambling to reschedule or even cancel six shows in which he has been appearing.
According to Nippon TV, the company became aware of the issue on May 27 after a source alerted the broadcaster to Kokubun's misbehavior.
A subsequent investigation involving a third-party lawyer included interviews with relevant individuals. The findings led to the decision for Kokubun's removal from 'The! Tetsuwan! Dash!!,' an iconic reality show he co-hosted for three decades.
Despite the controversy, the broadcaster confirmed that the program will continue airing.
'This is an issue concerning an individual cast member, not the show itself,' Fukuda said.
He emphasized that no Nippon TV staff members engaged in any misconduct but acknowledged the broadcaster's responsibility for continuing to cast someone with potential issues.
The revelation comes as the entertainment industry increasingly confronts issues of harassment and human rights violations, typically involving sexual abuse and bullying.
Earlier this year, another well-known TV show host, Masahiro Nakai, retired from show business following accusations that he sexually abused a female newscaster from Fuji Television Network Inc.
Both Nakai and Kokubun are originally from Johnny & Associates Inc., now renamed, the powerful showbiz agency at the center of a major sexual abuse scandal involving its late founder.
(This article was written by Sachi Matsumoto and Yusuke Miyata.)
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