Hitoshi Matsumoto drops lawsuit towards writer

TOKYO (TR) – Hitoshi Matsumoto, a member of the comedy duo Downtown, introduced on Friday that he was dropping a defamation swimsuit towards a writer over articles claiming that he sexually assaulted a number of ladies.

Matsumoto launched an announcement saying, “I wish to keep away from inflicting any extra burden or hassle to many individuals. So, I’ve determined to withdraw the lawsuit.”

He additionally acknowledged his attendance at a gathering with the ladies to apologize. “I sincerely apologize to anybody who was offended or damage,” he stated.

In January, Matsumoto filed a 550 million yen swimsuit with the Tokyo District Court docket towards writer Bungeishunju Ltd. over reporting in its weekly journal Shukan Bunshun that stated he compelled ladies to have intercourse with him.

Matsumoto additionally sought a broadcast apology from the journal.

Within the article, revealed by Bunshun in December 2023, two ladies advised the journal that that they had engaged in ingesting events at a resort with Matsumoto in 2015. The ladies additionally stated that they had been coerced into having intercourse with Matsumoto.

Within the swimsuit, Matsumoto denied finishing up intercourse acts as claimed within the article. He additional argued that nothing that might represent sexual assault passed off.

The trial started in March. At that first listening to, Bunshun defended its reporting. “The article reported the reality,” the journal stated.

In line with a launch posted on the web site of Matsumoto’s company, Yoshimoto Kogyo, and different corporations, the comic “withdrew the lawsuit” with the consent of Bunshun.

Additionally on Friday, the editorial division of Bunshun stated, “Concerning the lawsuit we introduced right this moment, the plaintiff’s legal professional contacted us to say that he needed to make a public apology to those that have been damage. After discussing it with the ladies, now we have agreed to withdraw our case as defendants. As beforehand introduced, no financial alternate passed off on the time of this withdrawal.”