Akashiya Sanma Discusses “I Won’t Carry Yoshimoto” Comment Amid Scandals

I cried raggedly when I saw the Ezo squirrel eating acorns. ……

In the mid-October broadcast of “Odoru, Sanma Goten! Sanma Goten! 3-hour special” (NTV) in mid-October, many co-stars and viewers expressed concern about his mental state.

Starting with the “black market problem by comedians” reported in 2007, Yoshimoto Kogyo has been rocked by many scandals in recent years, such as the alleged sexual assault of “Downtown” comedian Hitoshi Matsumoto (61) and the firing of “Jungle Pocket” comedian Shinji Saito (42). For Mr. Sanma, one of Yoshimoto’s most prominent figures, the scandals involving his junior comedians must be as painful as if they were his own. Perhaps it was against this background that he made a statement on “Young Town Saturday” (MBS Radio), a radio program on which he is a personality, regarding Saito’s dismissal announced on October 7, saying, “I will no longer carry Yoshimoto on my shoulders. It even made the Internet news the next day.

Sanma is a caring and considerate man who is admired by his junior comedians. What does he really think about Yoshimoto Kogyo and the comedy world today? To get a sense of his thoughts, we approached him after work.

Thoughts expressed in response to our questions

A little past 7:00 p.m. in late October, this magazine found a luxury car in Tokyo that Sanma had been using for many years. It was a misty light rain that day, and visibility was poor.

Noticing the reporter approaching, Sanma slowly rolled down the driver’s side window and answered our direct questions.

What are you doing?”

I’m sorry. Good evening. My name is “Friday.

Hi.

Last week, you said, “I don’t carry Yoshimoto on my back anymore. I don’t worry about my juniors anymore.

Oh, really!