A Masso’s Kanou Addresses Suspicion with Smiles Amid Controversy

A month has passed since the “Fuwa-chan’s Inappropriate Post” incident.

On August 11, Fuwa-chan (30) announced a halt to her entertainment activities. Additionally, Yasuko (26) revealed that she had received an apology from Fuwa-chan, which seemed to bring an end to the controversy. However, an article published on the 31st by ‘NEWS Post Seven’ has once again stirred up ripples.

“According to the article, the trigger for Fuwa-chan’s post was created by comedian Kanou (35) from ‘A Masso’. During a trip with Shintaro Morimoto (34) from the comedy trio ‘Tontsukatan’, Kanou, who found Yasuko’s post first, is said to have asked Fuwa-chan, ‘What do you think about this post?’ Fuwa-chan interpreted this as a ‘senior’s cue’ and created the controversial text with a playful, comedic attitude. Following the report, public opinion has spread the notion that ‘Kanou might be the mastermind behind the incident,’ leading to a surge in criticism and a major uproar against Kanou” (sports paper entertainment reporter).

 

Insiders Reveal Behind-the-Scenes Details

Fuwa-chan’s apology letter released in August included a statement asserting that “the two are unrelated,” but ‘NEWS Post Seven’ also addressed this. It was reported that Kanou’s talent agency was not aware of the situation and maintained the stance that “Kanou is not directly involved in the controversy” until the end, leading to the inclusion of content denying involvement. In response to this report, comments on social media include:

“If this is true, it’s really outrageous.”

“Is it acceptable to hold only Fuwa-chan responsible and leave it at that?”

However, a producer from a major network commented, “It’s not necessarily the case that Kanou is the mastermind.”

“From what I’ve heard, even when Kanou discovered Yasuko’s post, it was discussed but did not create an atmosphere where he sought a provocative reaction from Fuwa-chan as a ‘senior’s cue.’ Kanou was not in a leading role as a mastermind; it was more of a casual conversation among comedian friends. However, it is absolutely unacceptable that Yasuko ended up being subjected to slander. The individuals involved probably never anticipated that it would escalate into such a major issue.”

Kanou’s talent agency responded to ‘NEWS Post Seven’s’ inquiry by acknowledging that Kanou was the first to discover Yasuko’s post and his comments, but stated:

“(According to our investigation) it has been confirmed that Kanou did not instruct or incite the posts.”

They emphasized that Kanou was not in a position to incite the controversy.

Was Kanou truly the “mastermind”? And what are her thoughts now following the report? On September 5, we directly questioned Kanou after her workday.

Kanou Responds with a Smile to Direct Inquiry

When approached by our reporter, Kanou responded without showing any particular signs of caution. However, her demeanor changed completely when Fuwa-chan’s name was mentioned.

— This is Friday. About the controversy with Fuwa-chan…

(Interrupting) “Ah, sorry, I can’t talk about that.”

With that, she and a woman with her entered a nearby building. She did not respond to further inquiries from the reporter and took the elevator without comment.

— Just one word, please. Could you at least accept a business card?

“Sorry, I’m fine without it. Yes, sorry, I apologize.”

With that, the elevator doors closed. Although Kanou maintained a smile and appeared apologetic, she did not provide a clear answer to the questions.

“Currently, Kanou is performing in the play ‘Monthly ‘Nemoto Muneko’ Issue 19: ‘Comrades’’. Her acting as a performer is receiving positive reviews, and the play itself is well-regarded. It seems she might be refraining from making any statements out of concern for the impact on those involved. There might be some explanation after the final performance on September 8” (previously mentioned network producer).

We await the day when Kanou will reveal the truth about her involvement in this controversy.