“He Dislikes Anyone Who Reconciles”—Savannah’s Takahashi Hit by Bullying Fallout as Shocking Industry Secrets Emerge

Exposé stories may drastically decline

Kota Nakayama (45) appeared on Naokiman’s Urban Legend Wide Show, which aired on ABEMA on May 5. His comment that he had been bullied by a senior for 10 years sparked widespread controversy.

“Although the senior’s name was withheld, around the same time Takahiro Ogata (49) of Panther appeared in a YouTube video by popular YouTuber Kanockstar, where he talked about a senior he hated because he had been subjected to violence in the past. People immediately started trying to identify whether they were talking about the same person,” said a senior executive at a talent agency.

It was later revealed that the senior Nakayama had referred to was Shigeo Takahashi (50) of Savanna. Although the two eventually reconciled, the controversy has already begun affecting Takahashi’s work, with promotional videos and images for Lion’s “Stoppa Diarrhea EX” commercial reportedly being removed.

Meanwhile, a television production company director revealed that there’s a reason why the Ogata incident died down so quickly.

“The senior he hates has almost become a running joke. Anyone who’s worked with Ogata generally knows who he’s talking about. Besides, that senior hardly appears on television anymore. People figured it wasn’t worth naming and pursuing the issue, which is why the controversy faded so quickly.” (laughs)

“The same applies to Nakayama’s case. In most instances where comedians deliberately name someone they hate on television programs or live shows, it’s someone who, even if identified, can laugh it off or someone they’ve already reconciled with. They almost never talk about people they genuinely still dislike.”

When Nakayama made his bullying allegations, he hinted that the person was extremely successful and has a good public image. Within the entertainment industry, another comedian’s name was also being discussed as a possible candidate.

“Comedian A, who hosts his own television program, has an excellent public image, but there aren’t a few younger comedians and staff members who dislike him. Apparently, he’s unusually harsh when criticizing people at drinking parties and ignores junior comedians he doesn’t think highly of backstage. I’ve even seen a producer remove A from a casting meeting, saying, ‘He’s talented, but I don’t want to work with him,’ simply because of his abrasive attitude,” said the production company director.

A producer at a major television network also claimed that popular comedian B, who is known for always giving his all and throwing himself wholeheartedly into his performances, has another side.

“When he’s working for a major national network, he’s incredibly humble. But when he’s doing work for local stations, there are times when he obviously phones it in. Of course, it’s difficult to give 100 percent to every job, but these days more staff members are moving from regional stations to Tokyo. Information about celebrities who have bad attitudes or don’t put in the effort at local stations spreads instantly. It wouldn’t be surprising if someone like that eventually found themselves out of work.”

Stories exposing behind-the-scenes conflicts have become reliable content for streaming platforms and late-night television because they are easily clipped and shared through social media and online news sites. However, one broadcast writer fears that Takahashi’s controversy could dramatically reduce such segments in the future.

“We’ve now seen that even if the people involved have already reconciled, or even if it was all just part of a mutual bit or staged banter, public backlash can still affect their careers. And this controversy reached this level even though it originated on an ABEMA program rather than terrestrial television.”

In Japan’s Reiwa era, where a single controversy can become career-threatening, provocative talk has become a double-edged sword.

From the June 5–12, 2026 combined issue of “FRIDAY.”