A member of Japanese all-male pop group Tokio has been faraway from a well-liked TV program as a consequence of previous conduct that breached compliance guidelines on a number of events, a TV community mentioned Friday.
Taichi Kokubun, 50, was faraway from “The Tetsuwan Dash,” a range program aired by Nippon Television Network Corp. and fronted by the members of Tokio. Neither Kokubun, his firm nor the TV community has elaborated on what the breaches entailed, however in response to a supply near the matter, they concerned habits that might be thought of sexual harassment.
The resolution to take away Kokubun was accepted at a rare board assembly, primarily based on findings from a third-party probe headed by attorneys. Kokubun has accepted the choice, the community mentioned.
In remarks to reporters, Hiroyuki Fukuda, the community’s president, declined to elaborate additional on the circumstances, citing a must “protect privacy.” He mentioned it was not a legal matter.
According to Fukuda, the probe was established after the misconduct got here to gentle in late May.
“The Tetsuwan Dash” will proceed broadcasting, the community mentioned.
Following the announcement, Kokubun mentioned he’s indefinitely suspending his actions in a launch on the Tokio firm web site.
In an announcement of apology, he mentioned that “my lack of awareness for the situation I am in, my naivety, my arrogance and my inappropriate behavior have caused everything.”
Kokubun debuted with the then five-member Tokio in 1994 and has an intensive profession in tv and radio. After the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011, he helped promote native farming produce by showing in commercials.
His removing from the Nippon Television program comes amid elevated scrutiny of Japan’s leisure business following current revelations comparable to a sexual misconduct scandal that emerged at Fuji Television Network Inc. involving widespread former TV host Masahiro Nakai.
Tokio’s former company Johnny & Associates Inc. additionally renamed itself and a separate company was established after a whole bunch of sexual abuse allegations in opposition to its late founder Johnny Kitagawa.
© KYODO