Erika Sawajiri apologizes, suspended from PIFF

[Tokyograph News]

Early on Tuesday, actress Erika Sawajiri issued an apology on her official website for her unprofessional conduct this past weekend. She showed up at a PR event for the opening of her new movie, "Closed Note," but she was visibly upset about something and spoke only three brief sentences during the event. The incident reinforced her negative reputation as "Erika-sama" and drew sharp criticism from the media, other celebrities, and fans.

The actress was vague regarding the reasons for her attitude, but she acknowledged her lack of professionalism and admitted she had betrayed her fans. She also recognized that just an apology would not end the matter, so she plans to make amends for it in the future. Hoping to clear any doubt, her agency asserted that Sawajiri herself had formed the contents of the letter.

"Closed Note" is screening at the Pusan International Film Festival, which opens on the 4th. Sawajiri was scheduled to walk the red carpet with director Isao Yukisada for the opening ceremony and to appear at the film's showing on the 6th. But due to the incident (which reportedly caused the movie's website to temporarily shut down after a flood of comments), her agency and Toho decided to cancel her appearance. Yukisada, however, will still attend as planned.

Meanwhile, one of Sawajiri's responses ("betsu ni...") during the PR event has become somewhat of a catchphrase among her critics.

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