KAT-TUN’s Nakamaru Suspended for Hotel Meeting, Agency Addresses Departure Rumors

Post-Sakurai was supposed to be.

In early August this year, KAT-TUN’s Yuichi Nakamaru (41) was reported by Shukan Bunshun for a secret meeting with a female university student at an APA hotel, leading him to announce an indefinite suspension from entertainment activities. Nakamaru, who had maintained a clean record up until then, saw his first scandal become a fatal blow to his career. While there have been previous cases of male idols involved in misconduct, Nakamaru’s return to the industry is now considered nearly impossible.

“In June 2018, Keiichiro Koyama (40) of NEWS, who was expected to be the next idol-caster after Sho Sakurai (42) of ARASHI, was put on hiatus due to a report of underage drinking, leading to his removal from the casting role. Nakamaru was the next idol that both NTV and STARTO ENTERTAINMENT had high hopes for as the ‘Post-Sakurai.’ However, the revelation of his involvement in a scandal has dashed those hopes. Nakamaru must have seen what happened to Koyama after his scandal, and he would have been repeatedly warned by both the network and his agency.” (A major network insider)

When Tomohisa Yamashita (39), who was then with the former Johnny’s agency, was reported for inviting a high school girl to a hotel in August 2020, he was suspended from activities and eventually left the agency. Koyama stayed with the agency, but his return to his role as a caster never happened.

“Both Koyama and Yamashita were single at the time, but Nakamaru is married and, in fact, recently wed. He announced his marriage to former NTV announcer Rina Sasazaki (32) in January of this year. At the moment, he is under indefinite suspension, but it’s not impossible that this could lead to his retirement from the entertainment industry,” said an insider from a major talent agency.

Hideyuki Nakayama will step up!?

“As a last-ditch effort for a comeback, it seems that his wife, Rina Sasazaki, is considering the idea of him transferring to a major talent agency. Nakamaru and Sasazaki met through their collaboration on ‘Shuichi’ (Nippon Television), hosted by Hideyuki Nakayama (57), who has taken a personal and professional interest in the couple. Just before the scandal about Nakamaru broke, Sasazaki had started hosting a program under the agency Nakayama belongs to, marking her first time as a program host after her independence. There is a possibility that Nakayama, responding to Sasazaki’s plea, may step up and help Nakamaru make the transfer to that agency.” (Source: Major entertainment industry insider)

After Nakamaru’s suspension, Nakayama revealed that he had visited the Nakamaru couple, expressing his concern for them. While sharing their situation, he subtly spoke on Nakamaru’s behalf, conveying his remorse. Is the transfer actually progressing? To confirm, we contacted STARTO ENTERTAINMENT, and received the following response:

“There is no fact of transferring agencies. He is determined to remain with his current agency.”

It is rare to receive such a clear denial of leaving the agency. This shows Nakamaru’s strong determination. However, Nakamaru has been absent from regular shows like “Shuichi,” “Asa da! Nama desu Tabi Salad” (TV Asahi), and “Kaji Yaro!!!” (TV Asahi). Instead, other talents, such as Takahisa Masuda (38) from NEWS and actors from other agencies, have filled in for him.

“There seems to be a movement to use Kei Inoo (34) of Hey! Say! JUMP as the new ‘post-Sakurai’ in wide shows and other programs,” said a source from a key broadcasting network.

The only program where Nakamaru has been involved is his YouTube channel “Yoni no Channel,” where stars like Kazunari Ninomiya (41) of “Arashi” and Fuma Kikuchi (29) of Timelesz have lightheartedly addressed Nakamaru’s suspension. However, his return seems to be a long way off.