Japanese pop group Tokio, previously a part of Johnny & Associates Inc., stated Wednesday it has determined to disband following member Taichi Kokubun’s hiatus over a misconduct scandal, in accordance with a press release on its official web site.
The all-male group is extensively identified in Japan for its assist for Fukushima Prefecture following the 2011 nuclear disaster. It debuted underneath the expertise company however later left after tons of of sexual abuse allegations surfaced in opposition to the company’s late founder Johnny Kitagawa.
“We decided it would be difficult to regain trust and continue receiving support as a group,” the group posted on its official web site.
Last week, Kokubun, 50, stated he was indefinitely suspending his actions in a press launch from his workplace, additionally named Tokio.
Neither Kokubun nor his workplace has elaborated on what the breaches entailed, however a supply near the matter stated they concerned conduct that could possibly be thought of sexual harassment.
After the 2011 accident on the Fukushima nuclear energy plant, the then five-member group helped promote native agricultural merchandise via commercials, as their selection program had featured them partaking in farming within the prefecture.
Kokubun’s hiatus comes amid a current sexual scandal involving former TV host Masahiro Nakai, who additionally belonged to Johnny & Associates. Another former Tokio member, Tatsuya Yamaguchi, left the group in 2018 after he forcibly kissed a highschool woman at his dwelling.
© KYODO