What is the future of “Tetsuwan DASH” that is causing concern?
The series of disturbances surrounding former TOKIO member Taichi Kokubun (51) show no signs of abating. Finally, a former broadcaster who has interacted with SMAP and TOKIO has thrown a wrench into the works. …… The row started in June of this year when Masahiro Matsuoka, who is married to TOKIO’s “de facto” girlfriend, came home hot and bothered! DASH‼” in which he regularly appears! DASH‼,” in which he regularly appears, Kokubu was removed from the program because he was found to be in violation of compliance. As is well known, Kokubu held a press conference on November 26, accompanied by his attorney, to apologize for his behavior. Kokubu made a total of 12 requests to “check the answers” between the inappropriate behavior he had in mind and the behavior that Nittele had ruled out. However, at a regular press conference on December 1, Nittele President Hiroyuki Fukuda, in the interest of protecting the victims, dismissed the situation, saying, “We don’t need to check the answers. The one who stood up to the rigid situation was another TOKIO member, Masahiro Matsuoka (48). In an interview with Shukan Bunshun and Shukan Shincho, Matsuoka confessed that neither he nor Shigeru Jojima (55) had received a full explanation from Nittele regarding Kokubu’s demotion. He said that neither he nor Shigeru Jojima (55) had received a proper explanation from Nittele about Kokubu’s departure from the show. I am frankly wondering what position we should take and how we should deal with the program from now on. It is unprecedented for Matsuoka, a main member of the group, to complain about Nittele’s handling of the situation through the media. It is unprecedented for a major member, Matsuoka, to complain about Nittele’s handling of the situation through the media. While some reported that Matsuoka and Jojima would graduate from the program, former broadcaster Osamu Suzuki, 53, made the following appeal in a memoir in the December 10 edition of Nikkan SPA! In his memoir, Osamu Suzuki, 53, a former broadcaster, wrote in a December issue of “Nikkan SPA! On the December 7 broadcast, the popular “DASH Island Shipbuilding Project” and the new project “DASH 100 People’s Diner” were aired. In the former, Jojima barely made an appearance, but Matsuoka was nowhere to be seen. In the latter, Shintaro Morimoto (28) and Yugo Takaji (age undisclosed) from SixTONES and Joichiro Fujiwara (29) and Kazuya Ohashi (28) from Naniwa Boys appeared, showing no “TOKIO color. A TV station official confided, “Both Jojima and Matsuoka are very young. A TV station official confided, “Both Jojima and Matsuoka have reduced the frequency of location shooting in consideration of their age. Instead, the junior members of STARTO ENTERTAINMENT are being dispatched. Nittele is not considering what to do with “Tetsuwan DASH” in terms of the program schedule. At worst, they think the program will be viable without TOKIO. A long-time TOKIO fan also commented, “‘Tetsuwan DASH’ is equal to TOKIO. It is one thing to have fewer appearances on the show each year, but it is a completely different thing to graduate from the show. It is not ‘Tetsuwan DASH’ anymore. Matsuoka left STARTO, with whom he had an agent contract, at the end of last month and set up his own private office. Jojima is also planning to go independent in the near future. Matsuoka-san, Jojima-san, and STARTO still have a good relationship. If the two of them disappear from “Tetsuwan DASH,” it is bound to be difficult for the younger members to leave the show. STARTO is keeping a quiet eye on the situation, but if the two seniors are removed from the program, they will discuss the matter with Nittele. I don’t think the program sponsors will remain silent either.” (A TV station official) The crisis of the program’s survival occurred in the 30th anniversary year. NTV responded to Friday Digital’s interview with the following words. We have been in careful dialogue with Mr. Matsuoka and Mr. Jojima, who are important performers, either directly or through STARTO ENTERTAINMENT and TOKIO, and we would like to convey our thoughts firmly to them and talk to them so that they can accept our feelings. We would like to have a talk with them so that we can accept their feelings.” Regarding the termination of “Tetsuwan DASH,” he categorically denied that there are any plans to end the program. Even if the new project is well received by the viewers, TOKIO built the history of “Tetsuwan DASH,” and that fact is not to be taken lightly.
FRIDAY Digital