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Arrested naked and drunk in a street, a SMAP member could lose everything

Posted by Shito on 2009-04-23 19:20 - Translation : Cara

It has been a long time since the Japanese media last had something spicy to write about. But they surely did not expect something so spicy! Singer, actor Tsuyoshi Kusanagi (of SMAP), one of the most popular stars in Japan, has made the headlines of every newspaper for 36 hours and is currently in custody....

Tsuyoshi Kusanagi was arrested on April 23rd at 3:am by a police patrol. He was naked and completely drunk in a park of Tôkyô where he was screaming incoherent things. Following his arrest that was described as tough by witnesses, Kusanagi was taken now into custody. He should be charged with indecent exposure and public order disturbances.

According to his explanations, Kusanagi was out to have dinner with a couple of friends, before leaving them to end up his night out in a bar in the city. He stayed there and drank with the waiters several hours after the closing. The artist assures he does not remember how he ended up being naked. In a short statement, he said his behaviour is inexcusable.

The Japanese press got hold of the affair that has attracted a lot of attention for 36 hours. Numerous public personalities do not hesitate to flay Kusanagi, even if he is very popular. He had been chosen by the government to be the new spokeman for the coming of all-digital television, but he was immediately suspended, and all the promotional pictures with him were removed. All the brands which had appealed to him did the same for their CM and stopped the broadcasting of the videos. Finally, every channel cancelled the broadcasting of the pre-recorded programmes in which he was to appear.

Today, the Johnny's Jimusho published a communiqué in which it apologized to fans, commercial partners and other TV channels, and precised that Kusanagi was off work when it happened. Thus, the agency is putting itself apart from its artist. It has suspended him until further notice, mentionning that he will now have to take responsability for what happened.