NTV has been refusing to allow TV personality Taichi Kokubun (51), who even held a press conference to seek “answers” for his noncompliance. The one who has extended a helping hand to him is Masahiro Matsuoka (48). Matsuoka, who has been a close ally of TOKIO, reveals for the first time his complicated feelings toward Kokubun and NTV: ……. Matsuoka says that it is his responsibility to speak his mind so that as many people as possible, not only fans of TOKIO and its programs, will know what is going on. In response to this, here is the full article from the current issue of “Shukan Shincho” (weekly magazine). Exclusive photos] Losing weight, graying hair and long hair… The drastically changed appearance of “Mr. Masahiro Nakai” ***
In the first part of the article, Masahiro Matsuoka talks about his interactions with Kokubu and his distrust of NTV, with whom he has worked on “Tetsuwan DASH” since the riots. As for the program, I don’t think it is something that we should send out. Since Kokubun-san left the program, we have been thinking about what we should do and how we should deal with the program, but we are not in a position to make those decisions. There are many sponsors, staff members, and junior staff members who support the program, and we cannot say, “We are not going to do this any more. If NTV could make a decision based on their understanding of my feelings this time, I would be perfectly fine with it. …… However, without any explanation, I wonder how the director of the program will direct us in the future. How will the “Tetsuwan DASH” fans view us? If I were a viewer, I would think that if the program continued without any explanation, I would feel “something is not right. I have to say that something very strange is going on.
It could be that Kunibun-san appears on the YouTube channel.”
Ltd.” established by Matsuoka, Jojima, and Kokubu in 2021. STARTO ENTERTAINMENT” recently announced that it will end its agent contract with the company by the end of the year. I will soon be 49 years old, and Jojima will be 55. STARTO asked me to stay on, but I chose a new path. Of course, Mr. Kokubu was involved in that consultation. As for TOKIO, Inc., I will fold it up as soon as I finish sorting out the remaining business. I am also in charge of public relations for the company, so I am speaking to you this time because I believe that this is one of the remaining matters to be sorted out. I believe that the discussions between Mr. Kokubu and NTV will remain on a parallel track. NTV may have some circumstances that are difficult to communicate to Kokubu-san, but if that is the case, I wonder if they could give some explanation to Matsuoka and Jojima. Even so, I think that would be a sufficient “compromise”. Kokubun Taichi’s life will continue to go on. He will sincerely reflect on what he has done and how he will seek his next path. I believe that we, the members, will continue to watch over him. It is possible that Kokubun-san will appear on my YouTube channel, or that Kokubun-san will start a channel and I will appear on it. In that case, I would like to be allowed to explain this matter properly in the first session. And if I am allowed to do so, I would like to be allowed to do it more freely from the second session onward. That is my current dream. In the first part of the article, Matsuoka talks about his exchange with Kokubun at his home after the incident and his distrust of NTV, with whom he worked on “Tetsuwan DASH” together. Published in the December 11, 2025 issue of Shukan Shincho
Shinchosha