Ryoki Miyama Said “Look at the New Me”—Then Came Reports of Secret Meetings With a Former Takarazuka Star

Suspected double affair involving two married parents

What was that contrite attitude all about?

Actor Ryoki Miyama (27) has once again found himself at the center of a scandal involving women.

The report, published by “Weekly Bunshun” on July 23, concerns former Takarazuka Revue Flower Troupe top musumeyaku and actress Maria Kano (33). The two are currently co-starring in the musical “Crash Landing on You” (Tokyo performances through July 26). It is a cross-border love story about the daughter of a South Korean conglomerate who crash-lands in North Korea while paragliding and a North Korean military officer. In the musical, Miyama plays the soldier, while Kano plays the heiress.

According to “Bunshun,” the two grew close after being cast together and allegedly met repeatedly in private at Miyama’s apartment and hotels in Tokyo after rehearsals.

Miyama’s wife is the well-known actress Shuri (35), the daughter of prominent actor Yutaka Mizutani (74) and former idol actress Ran Ito (age undisclosed). The couple welcomed their long-awaited first child last September.

Kano is also married. She married a non-celebrity man in June 2021 and announced the birth of a son in July 2024. In other words, this is a serious situation involving allegations of a double affair between two married parents.

Following the reports, Kano’s official website was updated on July 22 with an apology for the controversy and an explanation of what happened.

“Regarding the matter reported this time, after confirming the facts with her, it is true that she spent time alone with her co-star. Her purpose was to deepen her understanding of her role in the production, but it is also true that, as a result, this was an inappropriate decision. She herself takes very seriously her lack of awareness and shortcomings in judgment.”

Miyama’s agency also acknowledged the reports, stating, “It is true that the two spent time together for the purpose of developing their roles for the production.”

“Both sides are essentially arguing that they met alone, but it was strictly for work and there was no romantic relationship. Indeed, there is no way to verify what happened inside the room. Well, I don’t know how many people will believe that.”

So says an entertainment reporter for a sports newspaper.

“I have no intention of calling myself a former BE:FIRST member”

Even before marrying Shuri, Miyama had caused a stir with a scandal involving female influencer R-chan over a broken engagement.

The story was that he had received more than ¥100 million from the female influencer, only for his infidelity with another woman to be discovered, after which he eventually stopped responding to her and the two went their separate ways. As a result of the controversy, Miyama left the popular male group BE:FIRST, with whom he had performed under the name “RYOKI,” and also parted ways with the agency he belonged to at the time.

“Miyama’s side has strictly instructed media outlets not to use the title former BE:FIRST member when covering him. Miyama himself also apparently has no intention of referring to himself as a former BE:FIRST member.” (Entertainment industry source)

“Crash Landing on You,” which has now become the epicenter of the scandal, was supposed to be a test for actor Ryoki Miyama. At a press event held in May ahead of the stage production, Miyama spoke emphatically:

“I have made up my mind and am fully prepared as a human being.”

“This will be the culmination of everything I have presented so far, bringing together the fields of being an artist and being an actor.”

A person involved in the production of television information programs revealed what was happening behind the scenes:

“At the press event, reporters had asked in advance to question him about the broken-engagement scandal and his newlywed life with Shuri, but Miyama’s side rejected all of those requests. The reason they gave was, ‘Because I want people to see the person I have been reborn into.’ The only questions approved were those concerning the stage production. I could sense Miyama’s determination to reinvent himself, but now it’s like, ‘How can you even say that?!’”

Miyama had declared that he had been reborn, only for yet another scandal involving a woman to emerge. This time, it is unclear how Yutaka Mizutani, Ran Ito, or even Shuri will respond. How does Miyama intend to weather this latest crisis?