Comedian Divide Amid Matsumoto Hitoshi Issue, with Yoshimoto Stable and Kazutaka Ozawa’s Precarious Position

Recently, Bunshun has stopped reporting the real names of junior comedians, perhaps because of the view that “junior comedians are also victims in a sense.

What about Kurose, who belongs to the same Yoshimoto Kogyo as Matsumoto?

According to his website, he is scheduled to perform on three stages at “Lumine the Yoshimoto” on February 17, two stages on February 18, and three stages at “Tokyo Grand Kagetsu” on February 23, and has a full schedule of theater performances after that. Kurose has not commented on Matsumoto’s case, but he seems to be very busy without taking a break from work.

The same goes for Watanabe. Every weekend, he has theater performances at “Omiya Raccoon Yoshimoto Theater,” “Yoshimoto Eternal Hall,” and “Yoshimoto Makuhari Aeon Mall Theater,” among others.

Tamura Kenji is active in the U.S., so he does not perform in Japan, but he is not on hiatus either.

This is exactly Yoshimoto’s strength. Even if they are not invited to variety shows, they can feed their comedians at their own theaters. In addition, there are countless programs produced by the company, such as BS Yoshimoto.

On the other hand, Horipro, to which Mr. Ozawa belongs, has a hall in Kawasaki where live performances can be held, but it does not own a theater where comedians can perform manzai. Survival in the entertainment industry depends greatly on the agency to which one belongs. But if you become as big a name as Matsumoto-san, there is no way you will appear in theaters as Downtown, and you will have to either come back or retire,” said an entertainment industry insider.

As for Ozawa, he may have attended the scene of the first sexual assault allegation, and unless Matsumoto’s innocence is proven, it will be difficult for him to return. As for Ozawa, he may have attended the scene of the first sexual assault allegation, and unless Matsumoto’s innocence is proven, it will be difficult for him to return to work. It will be a difficult task to steer the case, as he is “facing an all-or-nothing situation.

When will Matsumoto, whose trial is about to begin, and the others be able to find a way out?