Entertainment Industry Undercover Roundtable] Will ’26 Bring a Rush of Drug Arrests and Big-name Celebrity Marriages?
Entertainment World Undercover Roundtable 2025-2026 [Part 2
Veteran TV station employees, sports newspaper entertainment desks, and entertainment professional executives gathered
The year 2013 began with the shocking news that Masahiro Nakai (53), who had reigned at the top of the entertainment world for 30 years, was quickly forced to retire due to reports of sexual assault.
In April, Mei Nagano (26) was accused of a shocking two-timing affair with Kei Tanaka (41), and in June, Taichi Kokubun (51) disappeared from the public stage due to “noncompliance,” and TOKIO was disbanded to take responsibility.
In November, “Downtown Plus,” a paid subscription service, was launched. Matsumoto Hitoshi (62), who had also been suspended due to a scandal, made a comeback after an absence of about a year and 10 months, and there was no shortage of entertainment news throughout the year.
This time, FRIDAY held a roundtable discussion inviting Mr. A, a veteran TV station employee, Mr. B, an entertainment desk clerk for a sports newspaper, and Mr. C, a major entertainment professional executive. We asked them to reveal the inside story behind the major news that caused such a stir and what happened afterwards.
Drugs and the entertainment industry
Mr. B: Ryoko Yonekura (50), whose home was reportedly raided by the Matri (Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare Kanto Shinetsu Health Bureau Narcotics Control Department) in August, has remained silent.
Mr. A: The commercial broadcasters are saying, “Unless it is proven that the case is completely clean, we will not allow any new appearances. However, for films that have already been released or distributed, we will proceed as planned.” This policy is shared internally. It seems that a ghastly, emaciated Yonekura has been spotted near a confectionery store near her home, but will she continue to fade away?
Mr. B: Speaking of drugs, actor Hiroya Shimizu (26) was arrested and charged by the Metropolitan Police Department in September for violation of the Narcotics Control Law.
Mr. C: Around the summer of 2013, there was a personnel change in the Metropolitan Police Department’s Drug and Firearms Division, and it seems that the newly appointed officers are getting ahead of themselves in arresting celebrities to appeal to the public. As a start, they arrested Shimizu.
Shimizu began using marijuana when he was studying in the US in ’19 and continued to use it regularly after returning to Japan. Apparently, he had been purchasing drugs from a dealer via a male “weed buddy. There are several entertainers around Shimizu who are involved in drugs, and the Metropolitan Police Department is trying to catch them one by one.’ I think 26 years may bring drug pollution in the entertainment industry to light.
Mr. A: Are there any specific names mentioned?
Mr. C: Actor X, who once starred in a major TV drama and is well-liked by the public; singer Y, who has over 40 years of artistic experience; and popular idol Z, who has participated in the Kohaku Uta Gassen (Red and White Singing Contest), are among the names mentioned.
The end of the year and the beginning of the new year are the time for a rush of marriages…
Mr. A: It’s not a drug trouble, but apparently T, a very successful comedian, has a mistress. Maybe there will be a female scandal soon.
Mr. C: I heard that K, a popular female announcer, is dating an artist. It seems they’re dating openly outside, so it’s probably only a matter of time before a love affair is discovered.
Mr. B: Finally, a bright topic. The year-end and New Year holidays are a time of marriage rush, and it seems that actor Sousuke Ikematsu (35) and Yumi Kawai (25), who FRIDAY scooped, are close to reaching their goal.
They have been living together for a long time and are doing well themselves. They are both the type of people who don’t rely on the popularity of opposite-sex fans, so getting married won’t interfere with their work.
Mr. C: I think Haruka Ayase (40) and Jesse (29) of “SixTONES” may get married.
When they performed together in “Kohaku Uta Gassen,” they were given strict orders to “never put them in the same angle of view. On the flip side, that means their relationship is going well. Ayase is also 40 years old. I hear she is consulting with people around her about marriage.
Mr. A: I think it’s about time for Koichi Domoto (46) of “DOMOTO” too.
Megumi Sato (41), who has been in a relationship for over 10 years, left her office in September ’25. This is said to be in order to step down from the entertainment industry in preparation for her marriage to Domoto. Domoto himself is said to have let it slip that he doesn’t want to put it off any longer.
–It is likely that big entertainment news will continue to emerge in ’26.
From the January 2, 9, and 16, 2025 issue of “FRIDAY
PHOTO： Sota Shima (Matsumoto) Kazuhiko Nakamura (Nagano, Ayase) Shinji Hasuo (Nakai, Shimizu, Arashi) Keisuke Nishi (Yonekura)