The announcement was “Kuruma’s arbitrary decision”… “Behind the scenes of voluntary restraint” and “future development” of the illegal online casino racket by Yoshimoto’s comedians.

Caution against “sparks

The “online casino gambling scandal” is having a major impact on the entertainment industry.

According to the Mainichi Shimbun’s first report, nearly 10 comedians belonging to Yoshimoto Kogyo, including Reiwa Roman’s Kuruma Takahira (30) and Toro Salmon’s Kazunobu Kubota (45), have reportedly been arbitrarily questioned. The news was received with not a little surprise not only by the entertainment industry but also by the mass media. A reporter from the society section of a national newspaper commented.

When the Mainichi Shimbun broke the story, it was a complete surprise to me. I heard that the investigation was triggered by information provided by an outside source. The Mainichi Newspaper’s Community Safety Section was in charge of the investigation, and they reported the story to us. We are aware that the investigation of online casinos, which have been exposed one after another since last year, and this voluntary interview are two different things.

Exposing celebrities creates a strong public awareness and significance. However, we have determined that this hearing will not develop into a major online casino case and will only be a one-off.”

After the news report, Kuruma admitted that he had been using online casinos from the end of ’19 to the end of ’20, explaining that “it is not illegal to transfer money from an overseas account and play online casinos.

From the beginning, from social networking sites and pundits,

“The statute of limitations has already expired.”

“There is no need to refrain.

The responses of all parties involved were divided. NTV, for example, explained at its regular press conference that “there is no plan to replace the program at this time (January 17). On the other hand, Fuji Television, TV Asahi, and radio stations suspended the performances of the named comedians. Kuruma has also been absent from theaters and events.

According to a Yoshimoto Kogyo official,

“Internal investigations into the comedians involved have already been conducted several times and reports have been made to various parties,” according to a Yoshimoto Kogyo official.

However, the problem has “spilled over” into other areas. However, the entertainment industry, which may be “spurred” by the issue, is taking the situation in a variety of ways.