Jiro Sato hints at “the truth”… With the dispute still unresolved, Fuji TV and Ai Hashimoto’s side continue discussions

“You Shouldn’t Be an Actor”

The controversy reported by *Shukan Bunshun* involving popular actor Jiro Sato (57) and actress Ai Hashimoto (30) continues to linger.

On the set of the Fuji TV drama series *Detective: Married Couples with Different Surnames*, which aired its final episode on June 23, Sato touched Hashimoto’s chin without warning, sparking a major uproar.Hashimoto had suffered harassment from a man in the past, which had left her traumatized, making her an actress who had to be extremely cautious about physical contact. Unaware of this, Sato reportedly heard about it later, stormed into Hashimoto’s dressing room, and confronted her, demanding to know what she was thinking.

The harassment did not stem from the act of touching her chin, but rather from Sato barging into Hashimoto’s dressing room—an actress’s private space—and ranting at her there. Furthermore, despite receiving a warning from Fuji TV after his first intrusion, Sato stormed into Hashimoto’s dressing room again after watching the finished first episode and

“You shouldn’t be an actress,”

and other remarks that undermined her career.

In a statement released on July 2, Fuji TV stated

“Words spoken by a male actor—while fully aware of the circumstances that led to the female actor being subject to performance restrictions—were identified as problematic in an investigation conducted by an external attorney,”

.

Sato’s agency also issued a statement on July 1,

“I told [Hashimoto] that while I sincerely believe we live in a society where past emotional wounds should be respected to the greatest extent possible, if she has trauma and is playing the role of a married couple, she should share her situation with her co-star beforehand. I personally think that if this situation continues, she should perhaps consider whether she should continue acting,”

the agency stated.

Meanwhile, Sato himself stated through his agency

“It is deeply regrettable that my sincere acting alongside the Fuji TV staff and co-stars has led to such media coverage. I only hope that all the ‘facts’ will come to light,”

he commented cryptically. On X,

〈During filming, I repeatedly pleaded, “I’ve reached my limit—please let me withdraw from this drama. And all the facts should be made public.” I should have made that decision sooner. I earnestly pray for the day when the numerous ‘truths’ will come to light〉

—using phrasing that sounded as if he were holding something back.

The trouble continues to this day

“Based on the *Bunshun* report, the statement from Mr. Sato’s side, and Fuji TV’s comments, there doesn’t seem to be any major discrepancy in the timeline.The facts regarding the incident—where someone barged into the dressing room and shouted something along the lines of ‘You should quit acting’—also match. What remains is a difference in perspective. Based on the accounts from all three parties, a general picture is emerging, but Mr. Sato’s side is still hinting that there’s more to the story. That’s what’s bothering me,” said a sports newspaper entertainment reporter.

In fact, word had already leaked last month that trouble was brewing on the set of *The Detective with Separate Surnames*. According to an entertainment industry insider familiar with the situation

“Even after the drama wrapped, the trouble is still ongoing, and there’s no sign of it being resolved. I hear that Ms. Hashimoto’s side is still in discussions with Fuji TV, and a lawyer is also involved. I’ve also heard that discussions regarding Ms. Hashimoto’s future career are taking place,”

they said.

There is also information suggesting that Hashimoto’s side takes issue with Fuji TV’s handling of the situation, having allowed Sato to visit Hashimoto’s dressing room on two separate occasions. On July 4, Hashimoto’s agency stated

“Regarding the reported matter, our agency and our actor have received a report from Fuji Television—following interviews with the parties involved and relevant individuals conducted by their attorneys—outlining the sequence of events and the established facts. We understand that Fuji Television’s report is factual,”

.

In response, this website sent a written inquiry to Fuji TV asking whether discussions with Hashimoto’s side are still ongoing, to which they replied:

“Regarding this matter, we have been engaging in dialogue with the agencies of both the female and male actors from the very beginning,”

. It appears that discussions are continuing behind the scenes.

What exactly does Sato mean by “the truth”?… It seems this unsettling situation is far from over.