Hitoshi Matsumoto’s Challenge in Returning to Television Despite Bunshun Reconciliation

Amidst growing interest in the outcome of the trial between Hitoshi Matsumoto and “Weekly Bunshun,” a somewhat surprising piece of news has emerged. Some media outlets reported that there might be a sudden reconciliation.

To recap briefly, Matsumoto was reported by “Weekly Bunshun” at the end of 2023 for allegedly forcing multiple women into sexual acts. Matsumoto fully denied the allegations and filed a lawsuit against the publisher, “Bungei Shunju,” and the magazine’s editor-in-chief, seeking 550 million yen in damages for defamation.

To focus on the trial, Matsumoto announced he would take a break from his entertainment activities. In March of this year, the first oral hearing was held at the Tokyo District Court, but Matsumoto himself did not appear.

 

Matsumoto’s side showed impatience.

The second hearing was scheduled to take place in August but was postponed, leading to speculation.

During this time, there were also unsettling developments. “Weekly Bunshun” (July 18 issue) reported that Matsumoto’s representative, attorney Masahiro Tashiro, had commissioned a detective agency to investigate the background of the women who had come forward with complaints.

Additionally, according to the article, Attorney Tashiro himself contacted people close to the women and asked them to persuade the women not to appear in court.

“If things continue like this, the odds are not in their favor. If the reports are true, they may not win, but they want to use various tactics to somehow reach a settlement that puts them in a better position. It seems there’s a sense of urgency coming from Matsumoto’s side,” said a women’s magazine reporter.

Amidst this, attorney Atsushi Hosono, who appears as a commentator on information programs, updated his YouTube channel on August 28, stating:

“I think we’re at a point where we’re wondering whether a reconciliation can be reached in August. I don’t think discussions about a settlement or agreement progressing behind the scenes can drag on for too long.”

He expressed the view that both parties are moving toward reconciliation and that the likelihood of a settlement being reached is high.

He said that both sides are working toward a settlement, and that there is a high possibility that a settlement will be reached.

In response to Attorney Hosono’s views, comments on social media include:

 

 

“Sharp. Hitting the nail on the head.”

“This is a plausible scenario.”

However, journalists, including the previously mentioned women’s magazine reporter, express skepticism:

“Attorney Hosono suggests that the postponement of the second hearing on August 14, along with the lack of a new date, indicates that negotiations for a reconciliation are underway and that the likelihood of a settlement is high. However, this reasoning is too weak. A reconciliation would mean Matsumoto’s side would have to withdraw the lawsuit. As a condition, they would need Bunshun to acknowledge that there were inaccuracies in their articles, but that’s simply not possible. If that were to happen, people on the internet criticizing the magazine, along with Matsumoto’s fans, would say, ‘See? Weekly magazines only write lies,’ and they would all launch attacks against the magazine.”

They unanimously express a sense of discomfort regarding the possibility of Bunshun agreeing to a settlement.

There is a big difference between being dropped by the station and being voluntarily dropped.

“If Matsumoto’s side were to withdraw the lawsuit unconditionally, it might be interpreted as them believing they couldn’t win in court. This would effectively mean acknowledging that the Bunshun report is true, so I don’t think that’s likely,” stated the previously mentioned women’s magazine reporter.

Additionally, while rumors of Matsumoto’s return to television circulate, a TV station insider commented:

“It’s hard to say what will happen years from now, but for the time being, it’s unlikely. Even though there are only allegations and he denies them, if the station requested a break, and if things settle with Matsumoto winning, he may return. However, since he has voluntarily stepped back without clear resolution, he has caused considerable trouble for the station. I don’t think they would want to deliberately bring back a talent whose image has worsened. There haven’t been any discussions about how the absence of Matsumoto is causing problems, as they’ve been managing just fine with other talents.”

While they don’t outright declare that a return is impossible, it seems quite challenging.

Speaking with an employee from an advertising agency, they remarked:

“It seems difficult. There’s a trial concerning a specific drinking party, but there are also reports about inappropriate behavior at other gatherings and allegations of sexual harassment against a therapist at a beauty salon. While his enthusiastic fans refuse to believe it, many women harbor negative feelings toward him. Sponsors feel the same way. Even if a program wants to use him, sponsors may not approve, and the programming department likely wouldn’t either. There have been cases in the past where it took years for someone to return to television, but that’s not the case now.”

Thus, it appears that the hurdles for a return to television are quite high.

The confusion surrounding the reconciliation and the vague possibility of a return to television may stem from the fact that many people don’t fully understand the workings of weekly magazines and the television industry.