<figure id="attachment_367306" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-367306" style="width: 456px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="16340f4a"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2024/04/5b27b508aee515c1b06821547fda42ed.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-367306" class="wp-caption-text">Downtown&#8221; Hitoshi Matsumoto&#8217;s &#8220;battle&#8221; with the Weekly Bunshun began with the first oral argument held on March 28.</figcaption></figure>
<p> The first oral argument was held at the Tokyo District Court on March 28, and the &#8220;battle&#8221; between &#8220;Downtown&#8221; Hitoshi Matsumoto and the Weekly Bunshun has begun. Late last year, he filed a lawsuit against the Weekly Bunshun, which reported allegations of sexual assault at a drinking party, demanding 550 million yen in damages and an apology ad.</p>
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<p> Matsumoto had refrained from entertainment activities after the report in order to concentrate on the trial, but just before the oral argument, he contacted his attorney to ask for an apology,</p>
<p><span class="strongInContent"> I want the world to know the truth, and I want to do comedy as soon as possible.</span></p>
<p> I want to do comedy as soon as possible.</p>
<p> Matsumoto is currently not appearing on any TV programs. He is currently not appearing on any TV programs, and some programs are in a &#8220;danger zone&#8221; because of his absence.</p>
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<p><span class="strongInContent"> Dareka to Nakai&#8221; and &#8220;Sake no Tsumami ni naru Hanashi&#8221; (both on Fuji Television) were popular because of the &#8220;great dialogue&#8221; between Matsumoto and the guests, so his absence is quite severe. Although they have been able to get by with substitutes, there are whispers that the programs may be terminated.</span></p>
<p> Although there are differences in the temperature of each program, there is no doubt that the TV industry is being forced to deal with the &#8220;absence of Matsumoto.</p>
<div data-friday-nextpage-lead=" Matsumoto, who has produced popular programs such as Documental"></div>
<p><span class="strongInContent">First of all, it is difficult to terminate Masanori Hamada and his &#8220;Downtown&#8221; show because of Yoshimoto. However, it will be difficult for him to make an immediate comeback after the trial is over.</span></p>
<p><span class="strongInContent"> The reason is that sponsors are shying away from Mr. Matsumoto. Although it depends on the content of the trial, it will be difficult for him to get rid of his image now that his graphic communication with the woman and his &#8220;stinginess&#8221; have come out.</span></p>
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<p> If the case goes all the way to the Supreme Court, it could take two or three years at the most. Even if the program survives until the end of the trial, it is unlikely that it will be able to return to that point anytime soon.</p>
<p> In the midst of all this, there is one industry that is making a fervent love call. One industry that is making a fervent call is the &#8220;network programs,&#8221; such as Amazon Prime and Netflix.</p>
<p><span class="strongInContent"> Speaking of Mr. Matsumoto, he has produced and appeared in the online program &#8220;Documental,&#8221; which is highly acclaimed not only in Japan but also overseas. In the case of online broadcasting, sponsors are not involved, and more importantly, Yoshimoto Kogyo is at the center of the program&#8217;s production.</span></p>
<p><span class="strongInContent"> If this is the case, there is a strong possibility that Mr. Matsumoto&#8217;s return will be to network broadcasting rather than television. It is up to him, but if it is an Internet program, I think it is not zero chance for him to return to work while the trial is still ongoing. Above all, the restrictions are lax, and I think his sense of humor can be fully demonstrated.</span></p>
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<p> The battle has only just begun. Will Matsumoto&#8217;s laughter ever be accepted by the public?</p>


 On March 28, "Downtown" Hitoshi Matsumoto's trial with the weekly Bunshun magazine kicked off with the first oral argument. In a statement issued just before the trial, he expressed his desire to return to comedy, but the TV industry is severely ......<br />


I want to do comedy&#8230;&#8221; Hitoshi Matsumoto, who is hopelessly unable to return to terrestrial broadcasting due to sponsorship snubs, makes a fervent love call for &#8220;Internet programs.

I want to do comedy…” Hitoshi Matsumoto, who is hopelessly unable to return to terrestrial broadcasting due to sponsorship snubs, makes a fervent love call for “Internet programs.

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