Hitoshi Matsumoto vs. Bunshun: Reconciliation Hinges on “Ms. A’s Feelings”
The “Downtown” star Matsumoto Hitoshi has sued Bungei Shunju, publisher of the weekly Bunshun magazine, for defamation.
In the first place, Matsumoto was outraged by a series of “sexually abusive reports.
I’m going to fight it because it has no basis in fact.
I’m going to fight it because it has no basis in fact. It is hard to believe that Matsumoto will put down his sword so easily, but the information about the settlement continues to grow.
The source of the settlement information is a mystery to begin with. When I asked Bunshun and Matsumoto’s side, their reaction was, ‘What’s that? I asked Matsumoto’s side, and they responded, “What’s that? I understand that they can only respond in such a way, but it is so puzzling. I have no idea how they are going to settle the matter. I have no idea.
said a reporter from a sports newspaper.
Behind the scenes, they were trying to find a “landing spot” with Bunshun.
Bunshun first broke the news about Matsumoto at the end of December last year. In the fall of 2003, a drinking party was held at a hotel in Tokyo, attended by several men and women, and at the party, a woman, Ako, was invited to Matsumoto’s room and
“She was forced to engage in sexual acts with Matsumoto.
The report stated that “Aoko was forced to perform sexual acts on him. Matsumoto immediately declared legal action through Yoshimoto Kogyo. Yoshimoto Kogyo later distanced itself from the case, citing a conflict of interest, and Matsumoto has been fighting the legal battle on his own.
While Matsumoto was in a fighting pose, people around him were communicating with Bunshun to find a way to settle the matter. “Aside from Mr. Matsumoto, those around him were initially looking for a way other than a trial, but that failed. However, that too ended in failure, and an all-out confrontation ensued.
A trial takes an enormous amount of time, money, and effort. Matsumoto’s trial is said to take “at least two years” before a verdict is reached, and there is no doubt that it is weighing heavily on both Matsumoto and the Bunshun side.
