Actors Toma Ikuta and Junta Nakama Face Backlash, Quit Social Media

From May to June, former talents from the old Johnny’s agency faced a series of social media controversies.

“Toma Ikuta (39) faced backlash after suggesting to a female fan worried about childbirth that she should ask her husband for a painless delivery, leading to confusion and criticism. Junta Nakama (36) of ‘WEST’ was criticized by fans for his overly close interactions with staff. He responded by saying he would consider their opinions but noted that some were insulting.”

Fans told him to ‘carefully review the text before sending it,’ which led to more controversy. Later, he posted an unauthorized photo of a regular household mailbox, which some thought looked like Mickey Mouse. This led to a flood of criticism, with many saying he should have reviewed his own posts more carefully.” (Sports newspaper reporter)

After the controversy, Ikuta’s posts have mainly become announcements, and updates are now only on his paid membership blog.

“His second controversy was quite serious. It involved general households, so the agency gave him a strict warning. He is said to be very down about it.” (Entertainment industry executive)

On the other hand, despite harsh criticism directed at people like Hiroyuki Miyasako (54) and Takuya Kimura (51), Goshin (31) from “Shimo-furi Myojo” is not being seen as a problem in the TV industry, according to a key station producer.

“It’s scarier when controversies happen to people like Ikuta or Nakama who didn’t intend for them. They don’t understand what went wrong, which poses a risk of recurrence, leading to judgments like ‘too risky to use in live broadcasts.’ In contrast, Shohin’s comments are made with calculation. Moreover, his targets are mostly celebrities. Hiring Shohin can easily become a news item online and serve as good promotion, which many optimistic TV producers appreciate.”

 

A director from a production company points out, “The keywords causing issues in the TV industry today are gender and discrimination.”

“Sponsors are becoming very sensitive. When a popular band, Mrs. GREEN APPLE, had a music video with racially insensitive content, their Japanese sponsor, Coca-Cola, immediately pulled the commercial. National sponsors will cut ties with anyone, regardless of their popularity. With the TV industry struggling to secure sponsors, any talent with a history of gender or discrimination-related controversies is likely to be dropped from casting decisions. Ikuta, who has recently faced backlash from women, will probably see impacts on her casting for dramas and other projects.”

There was a time when casting decisions were heavily influenced by the number of social media followers, but an advertising agency representative says that this is “almost no longer considered.”

“For emerging young talents, a high follower count might still be a factor. But for top-tier stars, social media can be a risk. A casual comment can spark controversy and affect the show. Nowadays, sponsors and TV producers often prefer talents who don’t have personal social media accounts but are supportive of official show social media and interviews.”

It looks like the trend of “avoiding social media” as a risk management strategy is likely to accelerate.

 

From the July 19, 2024 issue of ‘FRIDAY.’