Is Hiroki Tsuzuki’s Exit From Yonsen Toshin Inevitable? A Breakdown in Trust With His Agency Over a Lack of Communication

This is not a suspension with his return already assumed

Hiroki Tsuzuki (29) of the comedy trio “Yonsentoshin” is in a difficult situation.

On August 18, it was revealed that Tsuzuki had been referred to prosecutors on suspicion of violating the Tokyo Metropolitan Ordinance on Nuisance Prevention by groping a woman in her 20s. According to investigative sources, he is suspected of touching the victim’s face and touching her lower body over her skirt late at night at a music event venue in Tokyo in late June.

During voluntary questioning by the Metropolitan Police Department, Tsuzuki reportedly largely admitted to the allegations, saying:

“I deeply regret what I did.”

He also reportedly said:

“I had been drinking alcohol at the time.”

His agency, Watanabe Entertainment, suspended Tsuzuki, but a figure in the comedy industry familiar with the situation told this website that the circumstances are severe, saying:

“This isn’t a suspension with his return already assumed.”

The reason is that the impact is spreading in various directions.

The first to be affected are Tsuzuki’s fellow trio members, Takumi Goto (29) and Ryota Ishibashi (29). Their manzai and sketch routines are written for all three members, and many of them cannot be performed without Tsuzuki.

Television networks also frequently make appearance offers to Yonsentoshin as a three-member group, so with one member currently suspended, new offers are unlikely to come for the time being. On streaming programs such as YouTube, there may be opportunities for the remaining two members to appear in deliberately “challenging” formats, but it would probably be too soon for even that.

The impact also extends to programs in which Tsuzuki has appeared in the past. Comedian Hiroyuki Ariyoshi (52) said on a radio program broadcast on August 23:

“But really, with [former Jungle Pocket member] Saito and now Tsuzuki, when something like this happens, you end up being unable to watch past streaming content. There are episodes you can’t watch anymore, and there are comedy routines you can’t watch anymore.”

He added:

“It’s extremely inconvenient, so I really wish they’d stop it already.”

Unaware of the incident until it was reported

In the television industry, when a performer is implicated in illegal activity or a violation of a local ordinance, measures such as suspending or re-editing not only upcoming programs but also past programs available on streaming services such as “TVer” are taken. Not only does this create extra work for staff, but other comedians who appeared alongside Tsuzuki also lose opportunities for exposure, so it is understandable that Ariyoshi condemned the situation as extremely troublesome.

The biggest thing Tsuzuki messed up was neglecting what working adults call “hōrensō”—reporting, communicating, and consulting.

In 2022, Tsuzuki launched the apparel brand “HIROKI TSUZUKI,” and on August 14, a collaboration project with “Orion Beer” was set to begin. A total of five products, including T-shirts, tank tops, and beer glasses featuring graphics and logos from the brand, were scheduled to go on sale. Naturally, the entire project was canceled, but the company reportedly did not know about the incident until it was reported in the media.

“The people in charge at Orion Beer are furious. Fortunately, it seems production of the products was delayed and they never actually went on sale, but there is no doubt that this has seriously damaged the relationship of trust.” (Advertising agency insider)

The same cracks in the relationship of trust have emerged with his agency. Tsuzuki did not immediately report that he was dealing with trouble to the agency he belongs to. A sports newspaper entertainment reporter explains:

“After the initial report that he had been referred to prosecutors, the reporter immediately contacted the agency, but they kept saying only, ‘We are currently confirming the facts.’ The relationship between a talent and their agency is built on trust, and when a problem occurs, the talent must immediately report it to the agency. If they fail to do so, something like what happened with Orion Beer can occur. Watanabe Entertainment is originally an agency that is good at handling matters after the fact. Having been caught off guard this time, it ended up looking bad and became an embarrassing situation for them.”

For these reasons, the suspension currently imposed on Tsuzuki is

“It is partly intended as a period of reflection, but it is also a period for the agency to consider what to do going forward.” (Same sports newspaper reporter)

Goto and Ishibashi denied that the trio would break up on their regular radio program on August 19, but according to the aforementioned comedy industry insider,

“Given the magnitude of the impact, there are also people saying that ‘Tsuzuki’s departure is unavoidable.’”

Because of a single mistake in one night, Tsuzuki appears likely to lose many things he has built up.

“FRIDAY Digital” welcomes information and tips from our readers. Please send us any information through the information submission form below or our official X account.

Tip-off Form: https://friday.kodansha.co.jp/tips
Official X: https://x.com/FRIDAY_twit