Tsuyoshi Kusanagi was arrested!!

...for being naked and causing a commotion in a public park!!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8014237.stm

Do you guys recognize him? He's from the boy group, SMAP - when Mao was on their "SMAP Bistro" show last year after Worlds (they cooked food for her), he was there, and more recently - she went to Korea with him and Miki before the season started! Did you see the clips from their trip/interview? And he was at the Grand Prix Final interviewing Mao and Kozu!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=JP&hl=ja&v=WWoB04PtUBI&feature=channel

OMG, I was shocked when I read that!
Kusanagi has been nothing but kind and polite around Mao, but even so, it creeped me out to think he has interacted with Mao so closely on multiple occasions! *shudder*

Yeah, no way for him to come anywhere close to Mao and other J-team members now! Except maybe Nobunari Oda - another extremely shady guy!

Will his exposure actually do any good? I strongly doubt it. I do realize that it is supposed to discourage others from following in his wake; but the thing is, when people crack under stress they just don't think all that much. It doesn't mean that they possess some inherent qualities that made them suspective to acting in less than a comendable way, it simply means that they are often overworkes, overstressed and just want to escape from it all.

The idols are followed by many, and so they are required to be perfect... But they are just real people.

So, my impression is: a big noise over nothing. It's not like he intentionally attempted to hurt somebody... Or even unintentionally.

Looks like the stress got to him, and the brave and valiant Police force, instead of doing damage control (just wrap up they guy into blanked, throw into his house and let him think things over. I'm sure the shame he would feel when he sobered up would be enough to discourage him from overindulging for a looong time) helpfully called the media and let the proverbial sh*t hit the fan. Kusanagi could still be an useful member of society - now, after having his image spoiled, it will be difficult to overcome the stigma.

Have you seen the way they led Kusanagi into the car? A full escort, as if he was a dangerous criminal just itching to escape.

Meanwhile, somewhere in Tokyo worse things have been happening. But who cares about real crime (or even "just" perverts groping women on the subway) when we can instead take care of a hung-over celebrity who had mane a minor idiot of himself? Much safer, much more glamorous.

I wouldn't worry about Kusanagi standing close to Mao... There are much worse individuals around her.

And, perhaps that's a culture difference, but actually I don't understand what's the big deal about getting naked. Somewhat distasteful, yes, but it's hardly a crime. I would worry more about disturbing the neighbors with screaming... Than again, if somebody screamed under my window I would just pelt them with a rotten tomato or something equally disgusting.

Not surprising. The Japanese media loves blowing things out of proportion, especially when the perpetrator is from the geinoukai, or Japanese show biz.

Stuff that wouldn't be THAT big of a deal in the States can be life-changing in Japan. Ai Kago (former member of idol group Morning Musume) was officially banned from participating in the media for several years for underage smoking, while Erika Sawajiri became the epicenter of tabloids and news - along with an exclusive hour long interview - just for appearing irritated and grumpy to her movie premiere.

And of course, there's Nobu and his one-year suspension from competition AND shows while someone like Michael Phelps can DUI and smoke bong and only end up with a probation/3-month competitive ban. Let's not even go over the fact that Tono had to endure considerable backlash from the Japanese community - including a broadcasted public apology - while Phelps was embraced by the media during his drug tirade with very little dent in his public image.

Kumi Koda also had an unfortunate incident where she had an unfortunate slip of the tongue during live radio [which in fact was a delayed broadcast and could have been censored out if the staff were more competent anyway] and the public criticism pointed against her was ridiculous.

It definitely is a cultural thing though. The media will ADORE you to bits and pieces once you enter the spotlight (e.g., Mao, Ryo Ishikawa) but one strike and the negative attitude thrown at you is absolutely scathing...

Ok, I completely agree that I over-reacted in terms of this news having any bearing to Mao. (But y'all know that Batsuchan is prone to wild delusions. )

z4mboni wrote:

I wouldn't worry about Kusanagi standing close to Mao... There are much worse individuals around her.

Oooh, who?? Do share, z4mboni! Or, if you don't want to be spreading rumors, PM me...I'm curious who you're referring to!

I agree with clovera that the Japanese media loves to blow things out of proportion, but I'm certain the US media would have reacted the same way if Tom Cruise/Brad Pitt/George Clooney, etc, was found in Central Park raving at the top of their lungs. It certainly would've made the top headlines.

As for the industry's response - that's where I think Japan/Korea overreacts versus the US. Yes, this incident is certainly tabloid-worthy, but should it cost Kusanagi several endorsement deals and TV appearances? Probably not.. Same with Nobu's 1-year suspension - that was quite severe.

The Erika Sawajiri incident made me so ...I remember seeing her in the drama "Hotman" in 2002 (? 2003?) and thinking she was absolutely adorable! And it seemed like she might even be able to act, so I had high hopes for her career - and then she had that one bad press conference and now she's gone off and married a guy twice her age....sighhh..