Insider on Kei Tanaka’s Challenges After Mei Nagano’s Infidelity Scandal

Compared to Nagano, Tanaka is said to have no damage

“That’s obviously Tanaka’s fault.”

This is what an executive from a certain talent agency said.

The scandal involving Keisuke Tanaka (40) and Mei Nagano (25) rocked the public. Nagano withdrew from next year’s NHK Taiga drama The Toyotomi Brothers! and also stepped down as a host of the radio program All Night Nippon X.

In addition, sponsors like JCB, Suntory, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries rapidly pulled their commercials and promotional images. Some reports mention penalties reaching one billion yen.

Meanwhile, the three companies that Tanaka was appearing in commercials for also removed his advertisements. However, he recently appeared on the May 21 broadcast of Chidori Kamaitachi Golden Hour (NTV), attracting attention.

“While the drama Caster (TBS) is still airing, criticism mostly targets Nagano. On the other hand, Tanaka is currently starring in the play Cheerful Ghost and has a lead role in the upcoming drama Oi, Dazai (WOWOW) scheduled to air in June. Compared to Nagano, his acting career is said to have taken no damage,” said a sports newspaper reporter.

Nagano has been the main target, with her Taiga drama role dropped and multiple commercials canceled. I happened to meet the entertainment executive shortly after the first reports of the scandal broke. Talking about Nagano and Tanaka, he said:

“Most of the blame lies with Tanaka. Sure, Nagano was wrong to invite him into her home knowing he had a wife and kids, but from an industry perspective, it’s Tanaka who pursued a single woman. Tanaka’s wife is the biggest victim, but from Nagano’s agency’s point of view, it’s like, ‘What have you done to our actress?’”

He emphasized that the entertainment industry holds Tanaka responsible.

Nagano’s agency, Stardust, is a major company with many top stars like Keiko Kitagawa, Takayuki Yamada, Kento Yamazaki, Takumi Kitamura, and Ryusei Yokohama. They not only wield influence at TV stations but also keep other agencies in check.

From no damage to severe criticism: Tanaka faces a harsh turn

Though unrelated to the Nagano case, another production insider recalled when a leading actor and an actress from their own agency were reported to be in a relationship.

“Our case involved two unmarried people, but we were very humble with Stardust. If things got complicated, it could have affected drama casting and such, which would be bad. Back then, they were quite assertive, but this time, since it’s such a serious matter, I think Tanaka’s side is quite stressed.”

He revealed how their agency handled the situation. Incidentally, that couple broke up after the reports.

“In this case, if it were us, we’d demand half the penalty fees from Tanaka’s side. After all, the actress is an important ‘product’ that got damaged. That’s how the industry works. Of course, each agency handles things differently. Although it’s publicly said there’s no damage,  honestly, the tougher position is Tanaka’s,” said the same production executive.

So far, sponsors have stopped airing commercials at their own discretion, so there’s a view that penalty fees may not be incurred. However, depending on contract terms, penalties could be demanded in the future.

“Well, NHK is funded by viewers’ fees, so they’re strict. If shooting is planned to start in June, Nagano’s costumes are probably already made, and they might charge for that. Still, it’s probably tens of thousands to at most hundreds of thousands of yen,” said a TV station insider.

The entertainment world is shaken by the infidelity scandal. How will Tanaka and Nagano come to terms with it? —