Former Janpoke Shinji Saito’s Calm Shifts in Reaction to Direct Interview After Home Indictment

A long line from the morning

On an early May day with sunlight reminiscent of early summer, more than 100 people gathered from the morning in the parking lot of a yakiniku restaurant in Niiza City, Saitama Prefecture. A mobile sales truck was on standby on the premises, and a man in a white T-shirt was guiding cars entering the parking lot. It was Shinji Saito (42), former member of “Jungle Pocket,” who was indicted while out on bail on March 26 on suspicion of sexually assaulting a woman.

“Saito was reported to the prosecutors on October 7 last year for sexually assaulting a woman in her 20s inside a location bus prepared for a program shoot in July of the same year. Immediately afterward, his contract with Yoshimoto Kogyo was terminated. He had refrained from entertainment activities since then, but on April 25 this year, he posted on his X account, ‘I have started selling Baumkuchen under the product name STUMP at my store BAUM SAITOU.’ He held a sales event in Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture, where approximately 1,000 items sold out in great success,” said an entertainment reporter for a sports newspaper.

Afterwards, defendant Saito announced on X that he would hold similar sales events over two days in Niiza City, Saitama Prefecture. As mentioned earlier, a long line had already formed well before the sales began, creating a bustling atmosphere.

At 10 a.m., Saito addressed the customers waiting for the sale to start:

“If you buy one whole cake and three slices, it comes to exactly 4,000 yen. The whole cake is large, so it’s good as a souvenir. For those who purchase, I will provide autographs and take photos, so I hope to interact with everyone. Thank you for today!”

After his greeting, he performed his signature phrase, “Haai!” and successfully drew laughter.

Direct confrontation with defendant Saito

When sales began, Saito signed paper bags containing the products, listened patiently to elderly customers’ long stories, and even posed for photos while holding babies, showing devoted fan service.

A woman in her 20s, who was at the front of the line, confessed, “Actually, I came yesterday at 9:30 a.m..”

“There was already a line, so I gave up yesterday. Today, I lined up from 7:30 a.m. Saito-san was very polite, signing autographs and taking commemorative photos. I don’t really know much about the incident, but I felt like supporting him.”

A couple in their 20s with a child were also positive about Saito.

“I liked seeing Saito-san, his face bright red, working hard to sell. I hope he keeps doing his best. There were reports that he’s just sticking STUMP stickers on ready-made products and marking up the price by a few hundred yen, but I think that’s just the price of his fame.”

What is defendant Saito thinking now, as he waits for his trial while selling Baumkuchen?

When FRIDAY Digital greeted him with “It’s very busy, isn’t it?”, Saito’s previously calm face suddenly changed. He became expressionless and remained silent, refusing to answer any questions.

Saito says he will continue holding Baumkuchen sales events. Will the day come when he makes a comeback as a comedian?