Tommy’s Masa’s One-by-One Hugs for Female Announcers at Drinking Parties Raise Possible Harassment Concerns, Experts Say
Hugging a woman who has the power to say no
Tommy’s Masa (66), one half of the comedy duo Tommy’s, has come under scrutiny over remarks he made on May 16 during the Kansai-based information program Seyanen!.
During the broadcast, he revealed that he hosts a women-only gathering for the program’s female cast members once every three months.
He cheerfully recounted a recent get-together attended by former NMB48 member Karen Kojima (26), along with MBS announcers Koka Yamazaki (28), Miku Kaito (26), and Seri Ueda (23).
“It was so much fun! We started by talking about our love lives,” he said during the opening segment.
Masa then revealed that he had hugged each member of the group before the gathering ended. He added:
“Come to think of it, that’s not okay! If the main MC hugs women who may feel unable to refuse because of his position of authority. (omitted) I apologize. I’m sorry.”
Apparently mindful of today’s heightened awareness of compliance and harassment issues, he offered an on-air apology. He then turned to Yamazaki and asked:
“You’re not going to sue me, are you?”
To which she replied:
“No, I won’t. It’s fine.”
However, the incident drew criticism on social media, with comments such as:
“Using female announcers’ weaker position to pressure them into drinking parties is harassment in this day and age.”
and
“Ending the gathering by hugging everyone goodbye? Unbelievable in this era!!”
reflecting the backlash against his behavior.
And the Fuji Television female announcer problem
A director at a Kansai-based television station offered a critical view of the situation:
“Last August, it came to light through a third-party investigative report that Masaharu Fukuyama had regularly attended drinking gatherings with female Fuji TV announcers, and he was ultimately forced to apologize. Mr. Masa is surely aware that the issue became controversial, so the fact that he would talk about something similar on a live broadcast suggests a lack of risk awareness.
In a nutshell, ‘Seyanen!’ is Mr. Masa’s show. He debuted at the same time as Hitoshi Matsumoto and the rest of Downtown, and he wields tremendous influence in the Kansai region. The very fact that he himself acknowledged that ‘women can’t refuse’ is probably why he asked the female announcer, ‘You’re not going to sue me, are you?’
It wouldn’t be surprising if some women disliked being hugged by a 66-year-old man but tolerated it because it was Mr. Masa.”
The so-called “Fuji TV scandal” became a nationwide controversy, drawing attention to prominent entertainers such as Masahiro Nakai and Takaaki Ishibashi. Given that backdrop, critics argue that Tommy’s Masa’s behavior at these gatherings may fairly be viewed as out of step with the times.
As Masa himself suggested on the program, what would happen if one of the women who attended were actually to file a complaint?
To explore that question, this publication spoke with attorney Kenta Morizane of Morizane Law Office.
“Under Japanese law, sexual harassment is generally defined as unwanted sexual conduct or remarks directed at a worker in the workplace that either disadvantages the worker in terms of employment conditions or harms the working environment.
Therefore, hypothetically speaking, if a drinking party or dinner gathering were considered an extension of the workplace relationship between Mr. Tommy’s Masa (or his company) and employees or business partners, then such conduct could potentially constitute sexual harassment under the law. In that case, workers or others involved could potentially pursue civil liability claims against Mr. Tommy’s Masa or related parties.
Depending on the specific circumstances, there could also be the possibility of criminal liability for offenses such as non-consensual indecent assault.”
Now in its 26th year, Seyanen! remains one of Kansai’s most popular local television shows. Many observers hope that the program’s much-touted family atmosphere does not drift in an unhealthy direction.
PHOTO： Afro