Japan comedian Matsumoto Hitoshi withdraws libel suit against publisher

Nov 09, 2024 | News On Japan

Nov 09, 2024 (NHK) - Popular Japanese comedian Matsumoto Hitoshi has dropped a defamation lawsuit against a publisher and one of its magazine editors over an article accusing him of sexually assaulting two women.

Matsumoto took the move on Friday after the two sides reached an agreement.

He sued publisher Bungeishunju and the editor of the weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun after it carried accounts of the two women in December 2023. In the article, they said they were sexually assaulted by Matsumoto at a Tokyo hotel in 2015.

Matsumoto denied the allegations and sought damages worth 550 million yen, or about 3.6 million dollars.

Lawyers for both sides said their agreement involves no payment of money.

Matsumoto released a comment on the homepage of a talent agency he belongs to, saying he has confirmed that there is no direct material evidence of forced sexual acts. It also said he decided to withdraw the suit because he wants to avoid causing a burden and trouble to many people.

The comment added that Matsumoto used to join meetings with women, and that he apologizes if people felt uncomfortable or hurt.

The magazine also issued a statement, saying it was informed from the plaintiff's side that Matsumoto wants to apologize to those who suffered psychological pain. The statement said the magazine decided to agree to Matsumoto's withdrawal of the lawsuit after discussing the matter with the two women.

In January, Matsumoto said he would suspend his show business activities to prepare for the lawsuit.

His talent agency, Yoshimoto Kogyo, says it will announce his future activities after discussing the issue with related parties.

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