Takahisa Maeyama Dealing with Career Setbacks After Breakup with Sayaka Kanda

On September 20, actor Takahisa Maeyama, who had been in a relationship with Sayaka Kanda, updated his Instagram to announce that the stage play Aru Hi no Tooriame to Tomo ni, which was scheduled to be performed from November 7 to 10 as his comeback performance, has been canceled.

 

The play’s producer, Shintaro Hatanaka, also shared this on X (formerly Twitter).

“We have decided to cancel the performance of the stage play Aru Hi no Tooriame to Tomo ni after discussions with the relevant parties, as we determined that ensuring safety has become difficult.”

He reported. Furthermore, Hatanaka added.

I acknowledge that I made abusive remarks toward Sayaka.

“I sincerely apologize to all the customers who were looking forward to this and to everyone who was supposed to be involved. I believe there will be various interpretations of this situation, but I intend to continue to face ‘theater’ with sincerity as always. Thank you for your understanding.”

He added this message.

Maeyama had been co-starring with the late Sayaka Kanda (aged 35) in a musical when she tragically fell from the window of her hotel room in December 2021 during the performance. At that time, audio of Maeyama verbally abusing Kanda was reported by Weekly Bunshun, and he admitted to having used abusive language in an interview with a magazine in August. 

 

Amidst this, it was announced on September 8 that she would be resuming her entertainment activities by appearing on stage, which caused a ripple effect.

At the end of the play’s synopsis, it was written:

“What is ‘kindness’?”

This prompted general users to respond to Hatanaka’s post on X.

“Are you casting someone with not even a shred of kindness who hurls insults?”

“I can’t think of any casting reason other than for controversy.”

“Don’t you feel anything after seeing this?”

There were also photos shared of Seiko Matsuda and Masaki Kanda holding Sayaka’s remains, which drew even more condemnation.

It was certainly predictable that casting choices would lead to controversy, but on September 13, unexpected repercussions emerged when former AKB48 members Ayaka Takahashi and  Yohana Yuda announced their withdrawal from the production.

 

“It seems that the cancellation of the play due to ‘safety reasons’ might indicate that threatening complaints were received. In the entertainment industry up to this point, even if an actor faces scandals or incidents, performing in a play where ‘only those who want to see it pay to attend’ is considered the easiest way to return to the stage.

In film, with the current ‘production committee’ system where various sponsors invest, the barriers are not low. For Mr. Maeyama, being labeled as an ‘actor who couldn’t even return to the stage’ is essentially a mark of disgrace. Even controversial casting strategies might lead to a situation where he could be permanently blacklisted. This could serve as proof that a return to the entertainment industry is now hopeless.” (said a source from the entertainment industry)

Voices of support were also drowned out.

However, not all public figures have only detractors. In the comments section of Maeyama’s Instagram, many supportive messages were left, such as:

“Thank you for the update, Maeyama! I’m very sad because I was looking forward to it, but I’ll be waiting for the day we can meet.”

“I’ll wait as long as it takes. Please show us your determination and your acting one day.”

It seems that not everyone in Japan is against him. 

There are other celebrities, such as Hitoshi Matsumoto and Fuwa-chan, who are also on hiatus. However, it is undeniable that for Maeyama, the hurdles for making a comeback have become significantly higher.