Mei Nagano’s Contract Issues and Kei Tanaka Couple’s Divorce Rumors Amid Commercial Decline

She has consecutively declined appearances in the NHK Taiga drama and radio programs

Actress Mei Nagano (25) and actor Kei Tanaka (40) are facing a crisis.

Weekly Bunshun reported an alleged affair, with intimate private photos and what appear to be LINE messages between the two leaked. Both agencies have denied the allegations but only conditionally, saying,

“We will confirm with the individuals involved.” The situation, however, continues to deteriorate.

Nagano recently withdrew from the upcoming NHK Taiga drama Toyotomi Brothers! scheduled for next year. She also announced the end of her radio show Mei Nagano’s All Night Nippon X (Nippon Hōdō).

Initially, CM sponsors hesitated after the first Bunshun report on April 24, but after further coverage revealed the LINE messages, they rapidly distanced themselves from their products.

Regarding Nagano, CM videos and banner images were removed from official sites of Aisei, JCB, and Sunstar. On May 13, Suntory, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and MOS Burger withdrew their ads. By May 15, NTT Communications, Kracie, and SK-II followed suit, leaving only luxury brand PRADA, where she serves as ambassador.

Tanaka also lost support from two of his three CM sponsors, with Kao’s Biore U The Body—the last holdout—removing his images by May 19. According to an advertising agency insider:

“When the second Bunshun report leaked the LINE messages, both claimed we have no recollection, but sponsors didn’t just accept that. Through agencies, they conducted independent investigations into the authenticity of those LINE chats. As a result, most clients made their videos and images private.”

Kao, Tanaka’s last fortress, declined to comment on their contract when interviewed by this site.

In some reports, the penalty fee is said to be as high as 1 billion yen

Companies that have already removed CM videos and other materials explained to the media:

“We judged it would be difficult to convey the true value of our brand.”

This statement carries heavy meaning—it’s essentially a refusal, signaling that the talent is unsuitable as a representative for their products. In this situation, not only contract renewals but also mid-contract cancellations become realistic.

According to the aforementioned advertising agency official:

“Though they are effectively off the commercials already, both sides seem to be trying to frame it as either contract termination or contract expiration to soften the impact. This is likely due to concerns about their public image.”

Regarding Nagano’s penalty fees, some media outlets have reported a figure as high as 1 billion yen. This is a complicated matter, as the agency mediates discussions between the production company and the sponsors to negotiate a reasonable amount. Sometimes the talent bears most of the penalty; other times, considering their past relationship and contributions, a more lenient amount is agreed upon.

Currently, the fate of the two is largely in the hands of Tanaka’s former actress wife. She is said to be furious over the reports and, after having tolerated her husband until now, there are rumors she might serve him with a divorce.

“Divorce is the red line for Nagano. No matter how much they deny the affair or dismiss the LINE messages as fake, the fact that a family was ‘broken’ is established. After his stage performances, Tanaka has been going straight home. The discussions between Tanaka and his wife will greatly influence Nagano’s future as an actress,” said a sports newspaper reporter.

On the 16th, Nagano appeared at a stage greeting event for her starring movie “Kakukaku Shikajika” in Tokyo. Though it was supposed to be a major promotional opportunity, the press was completely barred from attending.

According to staff of the film:

“Since the scandal broke out, we struggled with what to do about the stage greeting, but Nagano never requested to cancel. I think she showed professional spirit because it’s a work she was involved in.”

If possible, this professional spirit should have been shown before the situation escalated.