The Impact of Ms. A’s Shocking Memoir on Hitoshi Matsumoto’s Influence on the Trial

On March 28th, the first oral argument of the lawsuit filed by “Downtown” Matsumoto Hitoshi against Bungeishunju was held at the Tokyo District Court. A total of 691 people gathered in the 19-seat observation gallery, indicating a remarkable attention with a ratio of 36 times more attendees than available seats.

As it was the first session, the trial concluded in about five minutes. Matsumoto himself did not attend.

Although the courtroom battle has finally begun, the real climax is expected to occur when Matsumoto himself, likely at the end of the year, undergoes questioning. According to legal sources,

“We don’t know his intention to attend, but unless Matsumoto himself takes the stand, the odds of winning this trial are slim.”

At the current stage, the lawsuit targets only the initial report published by Bungeishunju at the end of last year. It detailed former talent Ms. A accusation of sexual misconduct by Matsumoto at the Grand Hyatt Tokyo.

Present at the scene were also “Speedwagon” Kazutaka Ozawa, who was reported to have attended to accompany women, and X, a close aide to Matsumoto who was a significant figure in his circle. Considering Ms. A’s readiness to testify through Bungeishunju, Matsumoto’s side would likely hope for support from X and Ozawa, who were present at the scene, for their defense strategy.