Playback 16 I Kept Blaming Myself Sobbing Interview with Resume Fraud Sean K
His brilliant career was a lie
Ten, twenty, and thirty years ago, what was FRIDAY reporting? Revisiting topics that were once widely talked about, we look back on them again in this “Playback Friday” series. This time, we feature the April 8 & 15, 2016 issue titled: “Resigned from six TV and radio programs due to résumé fraud — Tears!! A downcast Sean K confronted on his 48th birthday!”
Sean K, real name Sean McArdle Kawakami (then 48), a management consultant known for his persuasive, calm speaking style and sharply defined, refined looks, had become a popular commentator in Japanese households. However, in the March 24, 2016 issue of Shukan Bunshun, allegations of “résumé fraud” were revealed, forcing him to step down from six television and radio programs. In the midst of the scandal, this magazine confronted Sean K directly — (text in 《 》 is quoted from past articles; titles and affiliations are as of that time).
《Late at night, a small-framed man wearing a black hat and an oversized scarf completely covered his face as he trudged through a residential area in the city center.
“You’re Sean, right?”
When this magazine’s reporter called out to him, he flinched for a moment and replied in a faint voice, “Please… no photos.” This was Sean K, also known as Sean McArdle Kawakami, the once-popular management consultant and TV commentator.》
Before the Bunshun report, his official website stated a glamorous background: “Born in New York to an Irish-American father and Japanese mother, moved to Japan at age 11,” “earned a BA from Temple University in the U.S. and an MBA from Harvard Business School,” and “studied at Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University.”
However, these credentials were reported to be false, and it was also revealed that his real name was Shinichiro Kawakami and that he was Japanese. He acknowledged this and suspended his activities. Online, further suspicions spread, such as “maybe even his name is fake” and “did he have plastic surgery?”
At the time, a friend defended him in this magazine:
《“Sean McArdle is a business name. But when asked by clients, he did disclose his real name honestly. He wasn’t hiding it.
According to Sean, apart from his father living in Kumamoto, he also has a biological father who is a half-American. The name McArdle is said to come from that biological father. There is no way to confirm this now. As for plastic surgery, he neither confirms nor denies it.”》
“I want to live somehow.”
The programs he was dropped from also included Fuji TV’s weekday evening news program “Your Time,” which was scheduled to start in April 2016. Sean had been appointed as the main anchor for the show. In order to ask about his state of mind after losing everything he had built up until then, this magazine conducted a direct interview. The following is a full account of that exchange.
“When this magazine’s reporter asked, ‘How do you feel right now?’, Kawakami let out a sigh, ‘Haa~,’ and answered in a pained voice.
‘I have caused a great deal of trouble to many people. I am truly sorry. I will reflect deeply on what happened.’
— The impact of the false résumé allegations has been huge.
‘No matter what kind of reports are made, even if I cannot accept them, it all started with me. I cannot escape responsibility.’
— So you are taking it seriously.
‘I keep blaming myself, blaming myself. I somehow, somehow want to keep living. That world I must not go to is what sets the boundary to that forbidden world is the people around me.”
Sean, who had fallen into deep distress to the point of implying self-harm, seemed to express feelings of regret that could not be put into words.
“I can’t even step out of my room during the day. I can’t swallow food.’
— Today (March 21) is, coincidentally, Sean’s 48th birthday.
‘I don’t feel like celebrating at all.’
— And your plans going forward?
‘There are reports that I am aiming for a comeback, but I have lost everything. I have nothing left. Please help me. Please, I beg you.”
As he said this, Sean suddenly began crying uncontrollably on the street. After that, he could no longer form words no matter what was asked of him.
Hot support from the netizens
Sean K is said to have worked as a management consultant since the late 1990s. From around 2000, he began serving as a radio program personality and also appeared on television, but what made him widely known was Fuji TV’s information program “Tokudane.” It is said that a director, looking for a commentator familiar with U.S. affairs, was introduced to him through an acquaintance at a radio station.
After actually bringing him on the program, he received high praise from staff, who said he would accurately translate and follow even heavily accented English spoken in the field and specialized terminology. In addition, his deep voice and exotic looks quickly made him popular. His commentary was also regarded as accurate, and from 2015 he served as a commentator on “Hodo Station.” Even before the discovery of résumé fraud, when he was appointed as a main anchor for a Fuji TV news program, there was no criticism of miscasting.
After suspending his activities, Sean returned to television for the first time in 1 year and 10 months on TOKYO MX’s New Year special broadcast on January 1, 2018, “World Chronicle ~A Journey Thinking About Economy and Prosperity in Mongolia~.” Although he reportedly participated actively from the planning stage in agreement with the program’s concept, he commented, “I have no intention of actively engaging in all forms of media activity.”
He now appears to be active on YouTube and in lectures, and his book “The Core of English Proficiency,” released on March 26, became a topic of discussion. Before its release, it reached No. 2 in Amazon’s English-language book rankings. Online reactions have reportedly included positive comments such as “Sean K’s ability is real.” It was also reported that tickets for a lecture held in Kimitsu City, Chiba Prefecture last April sold out in seconds.
What supports Sean among internet users is the belief that his English ability is genuine. Even if his background was fabricated, his fluent, near-native English is evaluated as the result of effort” and “ability beyond his résumé.
Perhaps there was never any need for him to embellish his credentials in the first place.
At first, he answered in a faint voice, saying, “Please, no photos.” But still responded properly.PHOTO： Tetsuko Takemoto