On December 10, NTV announced its intention to apologize to former TOKIO members Masahiro Matsuoka (48) and Shigeru Johjima (55) over its handling of former TOKIO member Taichi Kokubun (51). The incident began on June 20, when NTV announced that it would apologize to former TOKIO member Shigeru Jojima (55) for his past compliance problems with the “The! DASH” for having multiple compliance problems in the past. DASH! DASH! On the same day, the dissolution of TOKIO and the closure of TOKIO Inc. were announced. About five months later, on November 26, Kokubu held a press conference and tearfully appealed 12 times to “let us answer” which behavior was the problem, but after the press conference, NTV issued a statement saying that “it is difficult to ‘answer’ due to the fear of secondary harm. Then, on December 1, NTV President Hiroyuki Fukuda (64) rejected Kokubu’s request at the regular press conference as well. He stated, “Based on the wishes of the parties concerned, NTV has determined that there is no further need for this,” and added, “The parties involved in this case have strongly requested that we do not release any information that could lead to their identification. If the case were to be revealed in any detail, there is a strong fear that it could lead to secondary harm, such as direct contact or slander, which the individuals involved do not wish to have. NTV is making a business decision to place the highest priority on the protection of those involved, regardless of any criticism. NTV had also received requests from Kokubu’s side since August 1 to “accept the apology” and “support the external explanation,” but was busy responding to all parties concerned, and even so, “We will be able to meet with Kokubu-san at some point in time,” and continued to meet and confer sincerely with the attorney representing the company. However, he claimed that his representative lawyer leaked the details of the discussions and other information to the weekly magazine and then filed a complaint for human rights relief. Kokubu’s representative said, “We have no intention of confronting NTV,” but since the station continues to behave in a manner that must be distrusted, “We accept Kokubu’s desire to apologize, but under these circumstances, where the feelings of those involved are not respected, we are unable to meet with him immediately. However, under the circumstances where the feelings of the people involved are not respected, I think it would be difficult to meet with him immediately”. While taking such a firm stand with Kokubu, NTV also commented that they hope Matsuoka and Jojima will continue to appear on “Tetsuwan DASH”. Matsuoka questioned this, which led to NTV’s response this time. In interviews with “Shukan Shincho” (published by Shinchosha) on December 4 and “Shukan Bunshun” (Bungeishunju) on the same day, Matsuoka revealed his distrust of NTV’s response. In particular, in the Shincho interview, he said that since June, when the Kokubun incident broke out, both Matsuoka and Jojima had been told by NTV that they would “continue to perform” without any explanation from the NTV side, and that their intentions had nothing to do with NTV’s side. He also pointed out that NTV’s failure to explain anything was a breach of compliance.
