A lawsuit has begun in which Hitoshi Matsumoto of the popular comedy duo "Downtown" is seeking compensation for damage to his reputation due to an article in Weekly Bunshun that published the testimony of a woman who claimed to have been sexually assaulted. The publisher took the stance of fully contesting the story, saying, ``We have conducted multiple interviews and are confident that it is true.''
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691 people wish to attend, magnification is approximately 36x
Hitoshi Matsumoto: ``I want to convey the truth to the world and do comedy as soon as possible.''
Weekly Bunshun: ``We will clarify the facts in future reports and in court.''
The story so far
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691 people wish to attend, magnification is approximately 36x
Hitoshi Matsumoto: ``I want to convey the truth to the world and do comedy as soon as possible.''
Weekly Bunshun: ``We will clarify the facts in future reports and in court.''
The story so far
Shukan Bunshun, published in December last year, reported the testimonies of two women who said they were sexually assaulted by Hitoshi Matsumoto at a hotel in Tokyo nine years ago.
In response, Matsumoto offered 550 million yen in compensation to the publisher Bungeishunju and the editor-in-chief, saying, ``Even though there is no objective evidence that he forced me to perform sexual acts, my reputation was hurt by the article.'' is suing for damages and for the article to be corrected.
The trial began on the 28th at the Tokyo District Court, and Bungeishunju said, ``We have interviewed the woman multiple times and carefully considered the credibility of her testimony, and after interviewing Ms. Matsumoto, we have come to the conclusion that there was no consent.'' He submitted a written answer requesting that the lawsuit be dismissed, stating that the sexual acts were true, and showed a stance of fighting the case fully.
Matsumoto has been on hiatus from his entertainment activities since early January as he wants to focus on the trial, and did not come to court on the 28th.
691 people wish to attend, magnification is approximately 36x
According to the Tokyo District Court, 691 people attended the trial on the 28th, with 19 seats in the audience, a ratio of approximately 36 times.
At the Tokyo District Court on the morning of the 28th, long lines had formed even before registration opened.
A man in his 40s from Tokyo said, ``I'm from the generation that grew up watching Mr. Matsumoto's programs, and I was rooting for him, so I hope he returns soon.''If the reports are true, I think it's bad, but there are a lot of things we don't know, so I don't think it's true.'' I want to listen in and find out the truth.''
A woman in her 20s from Tokyo said, ``It's great that the female victims have spoken out, but I think everyone has their own side of the story and there are things that only the victims themselves can know, so I hope this will be clarified through the trial.'' ” he said. The trial will be held at 2:30 p.m.
<Before the trial...>
Hitoshi Matsumoto: ``I want to convey the truth to the world and do comedy as soon as possible.''
Before the trial began, Hitoshi Matsumoto said, ``I've always wanted to make people laugh.Many people have become unable to laugh at themselves, and my junior colleagues, who have done nothing wrong, have been implicated.'' I am simply confused, frustrated and sad by the absurdity that has been drowned out and cannot be accepted.I want the truth to be conveyed to the world and I want to be able to do comedy as soon as possible,'' he said in a statement through his lawyer.
Weekly Bunshun: ``We will clarify the facts in future reports and in court.''
On the other hand, the editorial department of Weekly Bunshun commented, ``We have full confidence in the article.We will clarify the facts in future reports and in court.''
The story so far
It all started with an article in Weekly Bunshun published last December.
We reported on the testimonies of two women who claim that they were sexually assaulted by Mr. Matsumoto nine years ago.
According to the article, the two were invited to a drinking party at a hotel in Tokyo at the invitation of Kazutaka Ozawa, a member of the comedy duo Speedwagon, and partway through, they ended up alone in the bedroom with Matsumoto, playing games and other activities. It is alleged that he was forced to do sexual acts without his consent.
In response to this report, Matsumoto announced on January 8th of this year that he would suspend his entertainment activities through his agency, saying he wanted to focus on the trial, and posted on his own social media, ``I will fight because it is unfounded.'' Two weeks later she went to court.
Ozawa also announced in January that he would refrain from his entertainment activities for the time being.