Takashi Okamura’s Controversial Radio Remark: Why Famous People Make Slips of the Tongue

“Whenever I make a mistake, I lose my job at once.”

On February 20, Takashi Okamura (54) of the comedy duo Ninety-Nine appeared live on Nippon Broadcasting’s Ninety-Nine’s All Night Nippon and shared his views on the ongoing online casino issue within Yoshimoto Kogyo.

The trigger for the discussion was the apology and hiatus announcement from Reiwa Roman member Kuruma Takahira (30), who had played online casino games in the past. By the way, the day after the live broadcast, Shukan Seven reported online about an affair rumor between Kuruma and an ordinary person.

At the beginning of the radio segment, Okamura said:

“Given the times, if you make a mistake, you can lose your job instantly. There are definitely things that are unacceptable.”

He continued:

“I really wonder how many ordinary people, who are not celebrities, are playing online casinos and having affairs. I think a lot of them are doing it.”

“Celebrities, famous people, well-known figures, they get their photos taken and exposed because of their status.”

Okamura elaborated on his views:

“Certainly, even stars like Matsumoto Hitoshi or Nakai Masahiro can lose their jobs due to a single scandal. But that’s because the entertainment industry and television are supported by enormous sponsor funds. It’s not an exaggeration to say that talents are part of advertising. So, when a scandal happens, it becomes ‘reverse promotion’ for the sponsors, and they have to apologize and, sometimes, take a hiatus” (TV industry insider).

Okamura’s mention of ordinary people sparked controversy on social media:

“I don’t have the money to waste on online casinos or affairs like that.”

“If you want to be treated like an ordinary person, quit being a celebrity and become an ordinary person.”

Many people did not agree with the view that celebrities are unfairly treated compared to ordinary people in similar situations.

The distance between the talent and the listeners is definitely closer than on TV

In the past, Okamura has also made controversial remarks on the radio, such as when the COVID-19 pandemic began, which led to an apology. Though he shows stability as a TV host, he has frequently sparked outrage with his statements on the radio.

In addition to Okamura, other figures have made statements on the radio that led to public backlash. For example, Tatsuro Yamashita, when asked about Johnny Kitagawa’s sexual abuse allegations, responded with, “For those people, my music is probably unnecessary.” Kumi Koda’s “amniotic fluid” comment and Makoto Kitano’s defamation of an entertainment production company president are also instances where radio remarks significantly impacted careers.

Why do celebrities often make slips of the tongue on the radio?

“On the radio, silence is considered a broadcast accident, so hosts need to keep the conversation going, which can sometimes lead to unintentional honest remarks. Also, since listeners are closely watching what is said on current topics, it’s hard to avoid certain subjects. Moreover, the radio booth typically has only a small crew, and once you’re used to it, the atmosphere can feel like you’re talking at home. From a production side, this is exactly what they want, as it brings out the talents’ real selves.” (Broadcast writer)

However, the primary reason for slips of the tongue is the “relationship with listeners.”

“Many shows are structured around emails and messages from listeners, creating a unique sense of ‘solidarity.’ The distance between the talent and listeners is much closer than that between TV personalities and viewers. For example, the comedy duo Audrey sold over 150,000 tickets for their event at Tokyo Dome last year, including the live stream. This sense of connection can make the MC feel a certain level of comfort, which leads them to speak carelessly, as if talking to a friend, resulting in controversy” (Broadcast writer).

Even if the conversation feels like it’s only for the insider group, nowadays, comments are often clipped and spread online. Once a remark goes viral, it can have a significant impact on a celebrity’s career. It’s no longer possible to make a quiet, private comment on the radio late at night.