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Johnny's Agency Terminates Contract with Tokio Member Tatsuya Yamaguchi (Update)
posted on by Rafael Antonio Pineda
The Mainichi Shimbun newspaper reported on Monday that the Johnny & Associates talent agency has terminated its contract with former TOKIO band member Tatsuya Yamaguchi after the bassist and singer was accused of indecent assault on a high school girl. Yamaguchi informed the agency of his resignation personally on Sunday.
The other four members of the TOKIO band publicly apologized for the incident on Wednesday, and also revealed that Yamaguchi will leave the band.
TOKIO's talent agency Johnny & Associates had issued an apology from Yamaguchi on April 25. The agency stated that Yamaguchi had "offered [his] wholehearted apology to the victim, who has agreed to come to a settlement." Investigators reported that Yamaguchi met the girl through work.
At a separate press conference on April 26, a lawyer from Johnny & Associates stated that Yamaguchi invited the victim and her friend to his residence while drinking on February 12, and then kissed the victim against her will. Police launched an investigation in late March after receiving a report from the victim.
Yamaguchi is currently on an indefinite hiatus from the entertainment industry.
The Tokyo District Public Prosecutor's Office announced last Tuesday that it will not prosecute the charge after the alleged victim withdrew her complaint.
Source: The Mainichi Shimbun
Update: The official website for NHK's R no Hōsoku variety program, for which Yamaguchi was a host, announced that the show has been cancelled. Reruns of the American show 100 Things to Do Before High School will air in its place for the time being. [Via Nijimen]
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