“Why did they include that…?” Even those involved are scratching their heads over Ryoki Miyama and Maria Hana—an “unnecessary sentence” in their apology statement sparks controversy

Secret Meetings at Their Condominium and Hotels

Comments issued by the agencies of actor Ryoki Miyama (27) and former Takarazuka actress Maria Hanano (33) in response to “reports of secret meetings” have sparked controversy.

“Why did they include that wording…?”

A public relations representative from a major talent agency shook their head in puzzlement when interviewed by this website.

The two were reported to have had “secret meetings” in the July 23 issue of *Shukan Bunshun*. Miyama’s wife is actress Shuri (35); his father-in-law is actor Yutaka Mizutani (74), and his mother-in-law is actress Ran Ito (age undisclosed).

Known as a “troublemaker” who has previously been embroiled in a scandal involving the breakup of an engagement with a female influencer,

and the overwhelming reaction is, “He’s at it again.”

is the overwhelming reaction. He had a child with Shuri last September.

As for Hanano, she enrolled in the Takarazuka Music School in 2008 and joined the Takarazuka Revue in 2010 as a member of the 96th class. She rose to become the top female lead in the Flower Troupe and gained widespread popularity. After leaving the troupe, she has worked primarily as a stage actress, and in her personal life, she married a non-celebrity man in June 2021.She gave birth to her first child, a son, in July 2024.

According to *Bunshun*, the two hit it off while co-starring in the musical *Crash Landing on You*. They were photographed meeting repeatedly at Miyama’s apartment and at city hotels in Tokyo.

In response, their respective agencies issued coordinated statements. While the two did meet, they denied having a “romantic relationship”; Hanano’s agency stated

“The purpose was to deepen our understanding of our stage roles, but it is a fact that this was an inappropriate decision,”

, while Miyama’s agency stated

“We recognize that these interactions were intended to deepen our understanding of the production and our roles, but our approach and awareness of our positions were insufficient, and it was inappropriate behavior,”

.

She’s a strong woman.

Amid all this, the following sentence was mentioned by both parties:

“It’s true that we spent time together.” (Hanano)
“It is a fact that we spent time together.” (Miyama)

Regarding this, the public relations representative mentioned earlier said:

“They’re going out of their way to say they spent ‘time just the two of them.’ Ms. Miyama’s wife, Shuri, and Hanano’s husband must be in shock. I find it hard to understand why they included this sentence—which feels like a dig—in the apology. If it were our agency, even if we admitted to the secret meetings, we wouldn’t have included that sentence on purpose,”

he said.

It’s understandable that they can’t deny it since the media photographed them entering and leaving their home and a hotel. That said, coming up with an “excuse” to minimize the damage to their image is also part of an agency’s skill set.

For example, in last year’s reports of an alleged affair between actress Mei Nagano (26) and actor Kei Tanaka (42), their agency claimed that a third party (Nagano’s mother) was present at the home, so the two were not alone.

Similarly, in the 2021 reports of an affair between former Japanese national table tennis team member Ai Fukuhara (37) and a non-celebrity man, although the two were seen entering a luxury hotel in Yokohama together, they argued that “they were in separate rooms.”

“Even if they know their denial is far-fetched, there’s no need to go out of their way to publicly state that they ‘spent time together.’“From a risk management perspective, once you’re hit with a scandal of this magnitude, your only option is a retreat. It’s impossible to emerge unscathed, so it all comes down to minimizing the damage and reducing the number of people who get hurt—such as the other person’s spouse,” said the same public relations official.

It is said that on the very day Miyama was confronted by *Bunshun* for an exclusive interview, he met up with Hanano at a city hotel. What on earth is he thinking…?

Furthermore, on the evening of July 23, Miyama and Hanano appeared together on stage for the “Crash Landing on You” post-screening talk.

Without mentioning the recent reports, Hanano said,

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to be on stage,”

, to which Miyama replied,

“I’ll do my best to see this through to the very end,”

, expressing his determination.

A sports newspaper entertainment reporter who covered the event on site said,

“I was wondering if it would be canceled at the last minute or if the two of them would be absent, but they came out with such poise (laughs). Hanano, in particular, flashed a smile from time to time, and I thought, ‘She’s such a strong woman,’”

said the reporter.

For now, public sympathy is focused on Miyama’s wife, Shuri.

On July 23, she appeared at an event for the drama series *Great Airport: GATE 24* (TV Asahi), in which she stars and which premiered that same day. Although the press’s attempts to approach her were drowned out by blaring background music, talk of the drama was completely overshadowed by her husband’s scandal. A TV network insider familiar with Shuri commented:

“I imagine her parents (Mizutani and Ito) are on pins and needles, but it’s all up to Shuri. While some are suggesting she get a divorce, she just had a baby, so it’s not a decision she can make lightly.”

As she focuses on her child, it seems her days of restlessness will continue.

[YouTube] On FRIDAY Digital’s “Entertainment Reporter Channel,” active entertainment reporters thoroughly delve into the behind-the-scenes details of this “mud-slinging” affair scandal—information only reporters have access to—in a segment titled “Ryoki Miyama’s ‘Double Affair Allegations’: An Active Reporter Reveals the ‘Truth’ and ‘Common Points’ with Past Scandals.”They also explore the similarities with Miyama’s past scandals, as well as the surprising reactions from Shuri and Yutaka Mizutani. Furthermore, they analyze the “shocking statement” that Bunshun directed at Miyama’s camp.