“JampoKe” Saito Shinji Fired from Yoshimoto: Three Reasons and Effects on Matsumoto Hitoshi

The contract was terminated on the same day it was revealed that he had been sent for document submission.

The incident involving Saito Shinji from the comedy trio “Jungle Pocket” is casting a dark shadow over Matsumoto Hitoshi from “Downtown” as well. 

It has come to light that Saito was reported to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman in her twenties inside a parked location bus in Shinjuku, Tokyo, in July of this year.

According to investigators

“I have caused trouble for the other person and my own family due to my careless actions, and I deeply regret it.” 

Saito stated.

“There is absolutely no way I can forgive this.”

The woman reportedly said.

On October 7, Yoshimoto Kogyo released a statement apologizing to the woman and related parties.

“Today, after discussions with Saito, we have terminated his management contract.”

This was reported.

While it is an undeniable fact that there was a conflict between Saito and the woman in her twenties, it is still at the stage of being sent for prosecution. The prosecutor will now determine whether to indict or not.

Saito’s wife, talent Saori Seto, posted on Instagram.

“There are inaccuracies in some reports.”

After stating that,

“The other party also engaged in actions, such as following on social media and exchanging contact information.”

“It has been conveyed that it was not a one-sided act.”

She claims.

Despite this, Yoshimoto quickly decided to terminate the contract. A reporter from a sports newspaper cited three reasons.

Yoshimoto Kogyo has been committed to strict compliance.

“One reason is that he has previously caused a stir with reports of infidelity. He is usually humble and does not act superior, but his biggest problem is his womanizing. No matter how many times he is warned, he does not change. As a result, it became a police matter, and Yoshimoto could no longer defend him.”

The second reason is that the incident took place inside a bus.

Similar to how Ken Watanabe from “Un-Jash’s” engaged in an affair in a multi-purpose toilet, this was also outside the intended use. The location bus is used by staff and other talent as well.

“It became something that could not be overlooked,” said the sports paper reporter.

This is what they said.

The third reason is Saito’s delayed reporting.

Yoshimoto has been thoroughly enforcing compliance in recent years.

After the Matsumoto report in Bunshun came out, they gathered the affiliated comedians for a training session, instructing them on how to avoid trouble with women and emphasizing the importance of reporting any issues immediately if they arise.

“However, Saito did not report the issue to Yoshimoto immediately after it occurred in July. Eventually, he fell ill due to mental stress and was hospitalized with pneumonia. Yoshimoto noticed the anomaly and discovered the incident upon investigation. There are online claims suggesting that Yoshimoto covered up the incident under the guise of illness, but the fact remains that Saito was hospitalized, and it was actually Saito who was trying to operate without getting caught,” said a television station insider.

The impact of this punishment will be significant not only for Yoshimoto but also for television networks and the entertainment industry as a whole.

If arrested or indicted, it would be a major issue, but it has become clear that those who engage in actions that significantly violate compliance and are unbecoming of a comedian will be ruthlessly subjected to contract termination.

That being the case, if Matsumoto’s ongoing trial were to result in his claim being dismissed,

“Even Matsumoto could face contract termination; otherwise, it would become difficult to maintain consistency with the punishment given to Saito,” said a comedian insider.

Matsumoto filed a defamation lawsuit against Bungeishunjū, the publisher of the weekly Bunshun, which reported allegations of sexual misconduct in December of last year.

On October 8, it was revealed that the next hearing would be held in private on November 11, and eventually, Matsumoto will undergo direct examination, leading to a verdict.

“The trial is primarily about disputing the truthfulness of the Bunshun article, but if Matsumoto’s claims are not upheld, it could be interpreted that sexual coercion ‘did occur.’ Given that this is an unbefitting act for a comedian, Yoshimoto may have no choice but to apologize to the victim and terminate the contract,” said a previously cited sports newspaper journalist.

In the past, Yoshimoto would have fully backed Matsumoto’s lawsuit as their golden boy, but this time, depending on the outcome of the trial, they are maintaining a certain distance due to potential conflict of interest.

The aforementioned sports newspaper entertainment reporter stated,

“If Matsumoto loses the trial, it would not be surprising for Yoshimoto to seek damages from him legally.”

He said.

It seems that for Matsumoto, the incident involving JampoKe Saito is not just someone else’s problem.