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The (SMAP) Kusanagi scandal: people rescuing the artist

Posted by Shito on 2009-04-24 15:00 - Translation : Cara

The media frenzy around Tsuyoshi Kusanagi is still a hot topic, while the artist finally released from custody....

Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, who was released from custody this morning, left the police station under the eyes of over 150 journalists lying in wait. The artist is still waiting to know for what he will be sued, but he was authorized to go home after the police made sure there could not be any "risk he flees or destroys evidence"... A few minutes ago, Kusanagi held a press conference where he apologized.

The media wondered about the reason why the artist ended up naked in a park, without remembering dressing off. However the toxicological analysis did not reveal the presence of drug or medicine in Kusanagi's blood when everything happened.

They also wonder why he Prosecutor's Office ordered that a search was done at Kusanagi's home, after the analysis had turned out to be negative. The Japanese media notice that the police's reaction is completely disproportionate compared with the facts: this is only someone who had drunk too much, nothing which needed a search... That is why the press wonders whether the artist has revealed something compromising, or whether the media pressure was so strong that the courts implemented the precautionary principle, because of the fear of being reproached for not working correctly, or in order to turn him into an example?

People also began to react, and phone calls to the police station where Kusanagi was questionned are numerous. They protest against his arrest that they considered as too tough, and against the unjustified search at his home.

Anyway, the media do not seem to worry about their own disproportionate reaction: 48 hours after the event, the affair is still making the headlines. Considering his offence, Kusanagi should indeed get off with a mere fine. The damages, caused by this huge media frenzy, will affect something else. Several appraisal done by experts show that, considering all the advert contracts, the suspended TV and radio broadcasts, the cancelled shooting and film promotion, the Johnny's Jimusho could have compensation of around 5 billions yens to pay to its partners and customers. Not to mention what will not be earned in the years to come because of the disgrace of one of the most bankable artists in the country...

5 billions yens, that is to say around 40 millions euros, and media frenzy: here is the price to pay for a star who simply got arrested naked and drunk in Japan. And in the same country, the DVDs of young girls in panties are still freely available in the local minimarkets without it being a problem for anyone...