Rumors of SMAP and Arashi Reunion: Industry Insiders Speak Out

Mr. B: “If we look at individual scandals, rather than office scandals, Ryoko Hirosue’ s affair caused quite a stir in the public. I was depressed because I was a fan of hers in my generation.”

Mr. C: “However, offers seem to come incessantly. I talked to the producer of the movie the other day, and he said he would love to cast her. It’s a great topic of conversation, and if she blows it off and starts getting wet, she’ll be a big draw. I think it was Hirosue who gained the most from the old Johnny’s fiasco (laughs). That changed the focus of the public’s criticism.”

 

Mr. A said, “Her agency has Minami Tanaka (37) and Kasumi Arimura (30), and Toda (Erika Toda, 35) has also returned. I am not troubled at all if Hirosue does not operate. At one time there was talk of her going independent, but that possibility seems to have disappeared. I hear that they are now in close contact with the office. It seems that his relationship with Chef Toba (Shusaku, 45) is still going on as usual.”

Mr. C. “Is that so? I heard that mine broke up. What is the actual situation? Either way, a comeback is probably not far off in the future. Since terrestrial broadcasting is difficult due to sponsorship, he will most likely try to make a comeback in a movie or on stage. The timing would be around this summer, one year after the riot.

Mr. A: “In terms of returnees, I wonder what kind of activities will be shown by Erika Sawajiri (37), who will resume her entertainment activities on stage in February. It is said that the office has advanced about 1,000,000 yen for court costs and penalties. The office has to recover it. If she takes on a nude scene in a movie or something, I would love to see it.”

 

Mr. B: “There may be a rush of actresses returning to work this year. For example, last year, Kyoka Suzuki (55) had to cancel her TV drama series due to illness. She made a public appearance in October of last year; May is her birthday month and marks one year since the announcement of her resignation from the drama series. There is a strong possibility that she will return there. Namie Amuro (46 ) is another possibility for a return. There have been no sightings of her at all, but since last year she has often been seen running along the Kamo River in Kyoto. I hear that her son has also graduated from college, which may help her come back”.

This emergency roundtable discussion with industry insiders continues in Part 2 [ Part 2: “That big-name actress is getting married this year in a surprise wedding…” …entertainment industry executives, TV station employees, and sports newspaper desks have their say…].

From the January 19, 2024 issue of FRIDAY