Latest News on Hitoshi Matsumoto’s Suspected Sexual Misconduct: A Timeline, Social Media Reactions, and Past Statements

A scoop by Weekly Bunshun on Downtown’s Hitoshi Matsumoto’s alleged sexual misconduct has sparked widespread discussion. This article summarizes the event’s details, involved junior comedians and scriptwriters, the luxury hotel where it happened, Matsumoto’s past statements, his family information, and social media reactions.

Update as of January 6, 2024.

Timeline of Events Regarding Hitoshi Matsumoto’s Sexual Misconduct Allegations [Updated January 6, 2024]

Weekly Bunshun Reports on Hitoshi Matsumoto’s Sexual Misconduct ‘Have My Child!’ (December 27, 2023): Weekly Bunshun reported that Hitoshi Matsumoto of Downtown held a drinking party at a luxury hotel in 2015, where he allegedly coerced a woman into sexual acts.

Yoshimoto Kogyo Firmly Denies Allegations (December 27, 2023): Yoshimoto Kogyo firmly denied the article and announced they were considering legal action.

Victim Expresses Outrage in Follow-Up Interview with Weekly Bunshun (Night of December 27, 2023): One of the victims expressed her anger in a follow-up interview with Weekly Bunshun.

Hitoshi Matsumoto Posts on His X Account ‘I’m Starting to Feel Motivated’ (Night of December 28, 2023): Hitoshi Matsumoto posted on social media, “I’m starting to feel motivated,” indicating his stance on the report.

Report Covered by Singapore’s Leading Newspaper ‘The Straits Times’ and Gains International Attention (December 28, 2024): Singapore’s ‘The Straits Times’ covered the issue, garnering attention from international media.

Featured on Fuji TV’s ‘Wide Na Show’, Reported on Japanese TV (December 29, 2023): Fuji TV’s ‘Wide Na Show’ discussed the issue, including Yoshimoto Kogyo’s firm denial.

Sponsors Withdraw from ‘Hitoshi Matsumoto no Konto ni Naru Hanashi’ (December 29, 2023): The Fuji TV show ‘Hitoshi Matsumoto no Konto ni Naru Hanashi’ saw a reduction in sponsor credits and featured messages from AC Japan.

Joked About in ‘Shinshun! Bakusho Hit Parade 2024’ (January 1, 2024): The Fuji TV variety show ‘Shinshun! Bakusho Hit Parade 2024’ included jokes about the Matsumoto incident.

Sponsors Withdraw from ‘Downtown DX’ (January 4, 2024): The NTV variety show ‘Downtown DX Special Celebrity Fortune Ranking 2024’ featured AC Japan ads, and sponsor credits were not shown, sparking discussion.

Weekly Josei PRIME Reports on LINE Exchanges (January 5, 2024): Weekly Josei PRIME published images of LINE exchanges between the alleged victim and comedian Kazuhiro Ozawa.

Hitoshi Matsumoto Posts on X Account ‘It Finally Came Out…’ (January 5, 2024): Hitoshi Matsumoto commented on the leaked LINE images, saying, “It finally came out…”

Weekly Bunshun’s Report on Hitoshi Matsumoto’s Sexual Misconduct Allegations: Public Opinion Divided

Summary of Weekly Bunshun’s Report: Weekly Bunshun reported that Hitoshi Matsumoto was involved in an adultery scandal. According to the report, Matsumoto held a drinking party at a luxury hotel in Tokyo’s Roppongi, where he was accused of sexually coercing a woman. The report alleged that he suddenly kissed a woman and demanded, “Have my child!” during the party.

Details of the Scandal: The report suggests the scandal emerged after Matsumoto hosted the ‘M-1 Grand Prix 2023’. Multiple women interviewed by the magazine confirmed the allegations.

Sexual Misconduct Allegations: The report also raises suspicions of sexual misconduct by Matsumoto. It claims he coerced a woman into sexual acts and suggests there may be victims.

Involved Junior Comedians and Scriptwriters

Speedwagon’s Ozawa Kazuhiro: Weekly Bunshun’s investigation suggests that comedian Kazuyoshi Ozawa of Speedwagon may be involved. Ozawa responded to the magazine’s queries, saying, “I didn’t host a sexual party,” and “I have had drinks with women,” but refused to comment further.

Relationship Between Ozawa Kazuyoshi and Hitoshi Matsumoto: About 20 years ago, when Matsumoto invited Ozawa to dinner, Ozawa accidentally mentioned Matsumoto would pay, leading to a long-lasting trauma. Ozawa still remembers this incident whenever dining with Matsumoto.

Involved Scriptwriter ‘Sada’ (Real Name: Yoshida Sadao): Online speculations suggest that scriptwriter ‘Sada’ is involved. However, his response to Weekly Bunshun’s inquiry was non-committal, leaving the truth unclear.

Relationship Between Sada and Hitoshi Matsumoto: The relationship between Matsumoto and scriptwriter Sada is close, both professionally and personally. Sada was a regular on Matsumoto’s late-night show ‘Matsumoto-ke no Kyujitsu’ in Osaka. After failing as a comedian, he became a scriptwriter and developed a close relationship with Matsumoto, often meeting three to four times a week. Sada has been involved in many shows hosted by Matsumoto.

The Luxury Hotel at the Center of the Scandal

The incident reportedly took place in a suite at the Grand Hyatt Tokyo in Roppongi. The specific room, the ‘Grand Executive Suite King,’ costs about 300,000 yen per night. The suite, approximately 100 square meters in size, boasts a spacious living room, a king-sized bed for a comfortable sleep, and a large bathroom, enhancing the luxury of the stay. The Grand Hyatt Tokyo, located in Roppongi Hills, is known for its luxury and offers a magnificent view of Mount Fuji. It’s conveniently located adjacent to Roppongi Hills, home to shops, restaurants, and museums.

Public Reaction at the Time of the Allegations

Positive Reactions

• “If Downtown leaves the entertainment world, TV will become boring, so hang in there, Yoshimoto.”
• “Matsumoto’s talk about ‘if an adultery report comes out’ is cool, everyone should see it again.”
• “He used to admit all past adultery reports, but this time seems different.”
• “Matsumoto is awesome.”

Negative Reactions

• “It’s just too shocking. I liked many of his shows.”
• “Seriously, both Speedwagon’s Ozawa and Downtown’s Matsumoto are the worst.”
• “Matsumoto is just this kind of guy. His gentlemanly façade has just fallen off.”
• “I like Matsumoto, but I think he should quit now.”
• “The usual low standard of netizens. They criticize disliked celebrities harshly, but give a pass to Matsumoto?”
• “Matsumoto, who has openly written about gang-raping women, should not be hosting sexual education programs.”
• “People saying comedy and TV in Japan would end without Matsumoto are underestimating Japanese comedians and TV people.”
• “This time the rumor doesn’t seem like just a rumor.”
• “Speedwagon’s Ozawa Kazuhiro was involved in Matsumoto’s sexual misconduct. He should be fired from the SPW Foundation.”
• “Ozawa’s skilled pimping is terrible.”
• “If this story is true, junior comedians who participated in such games are worse. Does Speedwagon’s Ozawa need to do this?”
• “I read the whole Bunshun article, and it was disgusting…”
• “If Yoshimoto says it’s baseless, they should take legal action immediately, not just ‘consider’ it.”
• “Not just Johnny and Matsumoto, but those who allow and ignore this are seriously dangerous.”

Other Reactions

• “I read the whole Bunshun article, but there’s no evidence.”
• “Bunshun should just stick to politicians.”
• “Matsumoto has said he would admit all adultery reports, but is this his intention?”
• “If it’s true, why go to a weekly magazine instead of the police?”
• “Only Nanchan can punish Matsumoto now, haha.”
• “Matsumoto: ‘Ozawa, gather some women again.'”
• “Ozawa appeared on the Knights’ radio show but seemed really down, haha.”
• “The naked macho doesn’t fit the Grand Hyatt Roppongi.”
• “Following Johnny Kitagawa, another big sexual misconduct case.”
• “Though portrayed as consensual, Matsumoto is a married man.”

Yoshimoto Kogyo’s Response: Firm Denial and Considering Legal Action

Yoshimoto Kogyo officially denied these reports on their website, arguing that the reported content is baseless and significantly damages Matsumoto’s social reputation and honor.

Victim’s Response in Follow-Up Interview with Weekly Bunshun: Outrage at Yoshimoto Kogyo

In response to Yoshimoto Kogyo’s statement, a witness, Ms. A, expressed her shock during a follow-up interview with Weekly Bunshun. She claimed to have been threatened by Kazuhiro Ozawa during the drinking party, saying, “If you make a mistake, you might not be able to walk around here.” She also mentioned the possibility of other women being similarly victimized.

Hitoshi Matsumoto’s Comment on X: “I’m Starting to Feel Motivated”

Hitoshi Matsumoto’s Comment: After the sexual misconduct allegations were reported, Matsumoto’s X account was updated for the first time, with the following post:

“I always thought I could quit anytime…

But now, I’m starting to feel motivated. X”

Fans’ Reaction to the Post: Supportive comments: Fans responded to this post with messages like “We support you,” “Keep going,” and “Do it!” expressing hope that Matsumoto would clear his name.

Critical comments: Others criticized, saying, “Why ‘consider’ legal action instead of taking it immediately?” and “His and his fans’ comments are just chilling.”

Other comments: Some made light-hearted remarks typical of comedian fans, such as “Blame it on Hamada,” “Is this a Water Boys sketch?” and “Ozawa, I’ll introduce you to some women.”

International Coverage of Hitoshi Matsumoto’s Sexual Misconduct Allegations: Connecting to Johnny’s Issue

The scandal involving the famous Japanese comedian Hitoshi Matsumoto has attracted international attention, with coverage in several countries.

Singapore’s largest newspaper, ‘The Straits Times,’ published an article on December 28, 2023, titled “Japanese comedian Hitoshi Matsumoto denies sexual assault allegations.” The article detailed the woman’s testimony regarding the hotel incident and mentioned Weekly Bunshun, which first reported the issue, linking it to the organizational restructuring caused by the 1999 Johnny’s issue.

French news agency AFP reported the allegations under the headline “Japanese comedian denies sexual assault allegations.” Instead of Matsumoto’s photo, the article used a picture from the 2019 anti-sexual violence protest ‘Flower Demo’ in Tokyo and touched upon the Johnny Kitagawa sexual misconduct issue.

Radio France reported the incident under the headline “Japan’s #MeToo Moment,” mentioning Weekly Bunshun’s exposé and Yoshimoto Kogyo’s denial. The report also mentioned Rina Gonoi, a former Self-Defense Force member who spoke out about her sexual victimization while in service.

Media from Spain, China, the UK, and Cambodia also covered the scandal, often referencing the Johnny Kitagawa sexual misconduct issue. This reporting approach raised questions among Japanese social media users.

Fuji TV’s ‘Wide Na Show’ Discusses Hitoshi Matsumoto’s Sexual Misconduct Allegations: Finally Covered by a Japanese TV Show

On December 29, 2023, Fuji TV’s ‘Wide Na Show’ featured a discussion on Downtown’s Hitoshi Matsumoto’s sexual misconduct allegations.

Commentators’ Views:

Supportive/Defensive Opinions:

Koji Imada (comedian): Imada remarked, “I can’t believe Matsumoto would say such things,” and suggested that the article was biased.

Noritoshi Furuichi (sociologist): Furuichi questioned the practice of condemning people based on speculation. He felt “uneasy” about the reporting of the incident and its potential for wrongful accusation. He also suggested that the media should be more cautious in reporting if they prioritize compliance.

Critical/Condemning Opinions:

Rino Sashihara (talent, former idol): Sashihara commented, “It’s not right to blame the women or say they shouldn’t have gone with him. This kind of talk itself is secondary victimization.” She hoped for an end to such attitudes. Sashihara’s comments, which did not mince words even regarding Matsumoto, a fellow entertainer, were highly praised online.

Other Opinions:

Atsushi Tamura (comedian): Tamura stated, “At this stage, there’s nothing to comment on,” acknowledging the complexity of the situation and questioning the need to discuss it on the show. He emphasized the need to listen carefully, given the current lack of clarity about the truth.

Sponsors Drop Out from Hitoshi Matsumoto’s Show Amidst Backlash

Following the sexual misconduct allegations against Hitoshi Matsumoto, sponsors have begun withdrawing from his show “Conversations for Sake”. The December 29th broadcast saw a significant reduction in sponsor credits. Normally supported by over ten companies, only six sponsored this episode, including a spot from AC Japan.

Companies that withheld their credits include YAMADA, LION, Asahi Beer, Nitori, Unicharm, Otsuka Pharmaceutical, Acom, Promise, Mobit, Suntory, and Daiichi Sankyo Healthcare. The Aeon Group has completely withdrawn its sponsorship.

Social media is rife with calls for broadcast suspension and expressions of disgust towards Matsumoto’s commercials.

New Year’s Comedy Special Makes Light of Matsumoto’s Scandal: Humor and Sympathy

In the “New Year’s Laugh Parade 2024” aired on January 1st on Fuji TV, Matsumoto’s scandal became a subject of humor.

Hikaru Ota’s Comedy Bit and Appeal

Ota, appearing live on the show, opened his act with a cry for help, referring to it as the current state of Yoshimoto Kogyo. His partner, Yuji Tanaka, provided comedic interjections, while Ota encouraged other Yoshimoto comedians in the studio to not be disheartened and to help out.

Post-Performance Talk

Ota continued his commentary post-performance, cheerfully addressing Matsumoto on camera and inviting him to continue comedy together, prompting intense reactions from Tanaka.

This segment, amidst Matsumoto’s ongoing scandal, showcased Ota’s unique blend of humor and sympathy, reflecting the entertainment industry’s varied responses to the situation.

Downtown DX Sponsors Also Withdraw: Blurred Sponsor Credits

The January 4, 2024, episode of “Downtown DX Special” on Nippon TV displayed blurred sponsor names, indicating possible abrupt sponsor withdrawals due to the scandal.

Line Conversations Leaked in Weekly Women’s PRIME: Evidence of Drinking Party Participation [Update: January 6, 2024]

Published by Weekly Women’s PRIME on January 5th, leaked LINE conversations between the alleged victim and Kazuhiro Ozawa suggest their participation in a drinking party. The message thanks Ozawa for the rare experience, mentioning Matsumoto’s pleasant company and gratitude for the connections made.

Reportedly, these images, believed to be authentic, circulated among comedians and were initially posted by a writer-like account on platform X.

Hitoshi Matsumoto Posts on X: “Finally, it’s out…” [Update: January 6, 2024]

On January 5th, Matsumoto addressed the leaked LINE images on his X account with a cryptic message. This post, a response to the Weekly Bunshun’s coverage, sparked significant attention on social media, drawing various critical comments.

The post, seemingly authentic LINE images, garnered over 40 million views and 170,000 likes within 8 hours. Matsumoto himself reportedly shared parts of the images reported by Weekly Women’s PRIME.

These developments have brought considerable attention to Matsumoto’s X account posts, interpreted as his response to the sexual misconduct allegations and media coverage.

About Hitoshi Matsumoto and Family

Hitoshi Matsumoto

• Birth and Origin: Born on September 8, 1963, in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture.
• Education: Graduated from Hyogo Prefectural Amagasaki Industrial High School, then enrolled in the first class of NSC Osaka.
• Comedy Duo Downtown: Formed the duo with Masatoshi Hamada in 1982, officially named Downtown in 1983, began activities in the Kansai region, and expanded to Tokyo in 1988.
• Writing Career: Penned essays for Weekly Asahi between 1993 and 1995, publishing successful books “Testament” and “Matsumoto”.
• TV Show Planning and Composition: Contributed to shows like “Downtown no Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende!” and “Downtown no Gottsu Ee Kanji”.
• Film Director Debut: Debuted with “Big Man Japan” in 2007, which was invited to the Directors’ Fortnight at Cannes Film Festival.
• M-1 Grand Prix Judge: Has been a judge since 2001, continuing in many editions.
• Host of “Suberanai Hanashi” and “IPPON Grand Prix”: Hosting “Hitoshi Matsumoto Presents Suberanai Hanashi” since 2004 and chairing the “IPPON Grand Prix” since 2009, focusing on discovering and nurturing young talent.
• Marriage and Parenthood: Married Rin Ito, 19 years his junior and a former weather caster, in May 2009, holding a wedding reception on June 26. Their daughter was born on October 6 of the same year.

Rin Ito

• Birth and Origin: Born on October 24, 1982, in Tokyo.
• Family Background: Both parents are Korean residents in Japan, making her a second-generation Korean resident.
• Career: Entered the entertainment industry with her parents’ opposition, promising to retire at 25, which she did.
• Hobbies and Qualifications: Enjoys drawing, watercolor painting, flower design, and playing the Japanese drum, and holds a first-grade kendo certification.
• Education: Graduated from the Sacred Heart Girls’ Academy Junior and Senior High School.
• Entertainment Activity: Weather caster on Nippon TV’s “Zoom In!! SUPER” from April 2006 until her retirement on September 30, 2008.
• Marriage and Family: Married Matsumoto in May 2009, with a wedding reception on June 26, and gave birth to their daughter on October 6.

Tera-chan (Daughter)

• Birth: Born on October 6, 2009, currently 13 years old as of March 2023.
• Schooling: Attended elementary school, speculated to be Sacred Heart Girls’ Academy Elementary School, her mother’s alma mater. Entered middle school in April 2022, expected to graduate in March 2025.

Matsumoto’s Past Statements

Matsumoto’s Past Statements on Infidelity

• On Infidelity: On “Wide na Show,” Matsumoto discussed how comedians caught in infidelity scandals should embrace an ultimate form of brazenness in their art to continue working.
• Father’s Infidelity: Shared a story about his father’s affair at 70 and how his mother later informed him that his father was rejected.
• Statement on His Show: On “Hitoshi Matsumoto Presents Conversations for Sake,” he said he would admit to everything if Weekly Bunshun reported on his infidelity.

Remarks About Hamada’s Infidelity

• Jokes on Downtown’s Gaki no Tsukai: Made jokes about Hamada’s libido and commented on his frequent appearances in weekly magazines.
• Response to Co-star’s Question: Admitted to previously claiming that Hamada was unfaithful, prompting laughter and a retort from Hamada.

Comments from Celebrities (Update: December 30, 2023)

In Favor/Supportive

• Hikaru Ota (Comedian): Indirectly referred to Matsumoto’s scandal on TBS Radio’s “Bakusho Mondai Cowboy,” comparing it to Atsuhiko Watabe’s infidelity, suggesting that everyone is imperfect.
• Honkon (Comedian): Discussed the scandal on YouTube, expressing doubts about Matsumoto’s alleged actions and inferring confidence in his SNS posts.
• Ogiyahagi (Hiroaki Ogi, Ken Yahagi): Discussed the scandal on TBS Radio’s “Ogiyahagi no Megane Biiki,” with Ogi excitedly addressing the unverified news.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Weekly Bunshun’s report on Hitoshi Matsumoto’s alleged sexual misconduct in 2015 has created a stir. Yoshimoto Kogyo denies the claims, considering legal action, while the alleged victim expresses anger in a follow-up interview. Matsumoto’s response on SNS indicates a proactive stance against the reports. This scandal, garnering international media attention, has sparked debates on programs like Fuji TV’s “Wide na Show” and led to sponsor withdrawals from related shows. The public’s reaction is divided, reflecting on Matsumoto’s past comments on infidelity.