Japanese comedian drops libel suit over sexual assault article

One of Japan's most famous comedians, who denied sexual assault allegations published in a prominent magazine, said Friday that he was withdrawing a libel case against the magazine.

Japan's Shukan Bunshun magazine published a report last year quoting two women who alleged Hitoshi Matsumoto, now 61, forced them into sexual activities at private parties at a Tokyo upscale hotel in 2015.

Among the claims, one woman alleged forced oral sex, and the other said she was forcibly kissed.

His talent agency said the accusations against comedian and TV presenter Matsumoto contain "no facts whatsoever."

TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 12: Director Hitoshi Matsumoto attends the premiere of "R100" at Ryerson Theatre on September 12, 2013 in Toronto, Canada. Jemal Countess/Getty Images/AFP

On Friday, Matsumoto posted a statement from his lawyers on X stating that, through communications with people involved, "we confirmed that there was no physical evidence to show coercion directly."

"To avoid causing more trouble to many people by continuing this lawsuit, (Matsumoto) decided to withdraw it," it added.

The statement said Matsumoto and the women participated in a meeting, adding that no money was exchanged between the parties in the decision to withdraw the case.

"(Matsumoto) sincerely apologizes if any women felt uncomfortable or hurt," the statement said.

Matsumoto is half of the comedy duo known as Downtown, a household name in Japan.

FILE: Japanese comedian Hitoshi Matsumoto poses for photo during an interview in Tokyo on May 22, 2000. Matsumoto belongs to Yoshimoto Kogyo Co., Ltd., and is one half of the comedy duo Downtown. Comedian Matsumoto has taken a break from his entertainment activities since January 2024 in order to respond to a weekly magazine report.Photo by Narimitsu masuda / Yomiuri / The Yomiuri Shimbun via AFP

At the time, his talent agency, Yoshimoto Kogyo, had said that the article "seriously degrades the social reputation of (Matsumoto)."

On Friday, the agency said it would discuss his return to work with relevant parties and announce a decision as soon as one is finalized.

Shukan Bunshun said it had agreed to withdraw the suit, consulted the women affected, and that Matsumoto's "lawyers contacted us about a plan to announce an apology to those who felt hurt."

Bunshun was one of the first publications to report, as long ago as 1999, on a sex abuse scandal that rocked Japan's entertainment industry earlier this year.

A boy band empire formerly known as Johnny & Associates admitted in September its late founder had sexually abused young recruits over decades, leading to an organizational shake-up.