Japanese comic and TV persona Hitoshi Matsumoto dropped a 550 million yen lawsuit in opposition to writer Bungei Shunju Ltd on Friday for defamation for reporting that he had compelled girls into sexual actions, either side’ attorneys mentioned.
In a press release launched by Matsumoto’s lawyer, the celeb acknowledged having joined gatherings attended by girls previously and mentioned, “I would like to frankly apologize if any of the women who attended were offended or hurt.”
As for the rationale for withdrawing the swimsuit, Matsumoto, 61, defined that he and the writer “confirmed that there was no physical evidence to indicate there was coercion.”
“I wanted to avoid placing any further burden on many people” in continuing with the trial, he mentioned.
The writer mentioned it agreed to withdraw the swimsuit after Matsumoto’s lawyer mentioned the celeb desires to publicly apologize to those that have been harm and following discussions with the ladies.
Both sides mentioned there have been no financial exchanges concerned within the withdrawal of the swimsuit.
According to the Shukan Bunshun weekly journal report launched in December 2023, Matsumoto, in a single explicit incident, compelled a number of girls into sexual actions with out their consent after eating with them at a Tokyo lodge.
Following the discharge of the report, Matsumoto, one half of in style comedy duo “Downtown,” had mentioned he would go on hiatus to concentrate on his trial on the Tokyo District Court.
© KYODO