No indictment for Kusanagi, quick return expected

Tokyograph News · 05-02-2009, 12:33 AM

Tokyo prosecutors have reached a decision to not indict SMAP member Tsuyoshi Kusanagi. The conclusion came only eight days after Kusanagi was arrested for public indecency, when he was drunk and naked late at night in Hinokicho Park near Tokyo Midtown.

Prosecutors based the decision on the fact that Kusanagi exhibited remorse and had no prior offenses on record. The crime itself was one that normally does not result in arrest, but police had arrested Kusanagi after he resisted and refused to put his clothes back on.

Kusanagi has mostly remained at home since his release on April 24. He, his management, and other SMAP members have offered multiple public apologies. Although there have been lots of negative reactions among the press, politicians, and his corporate sponsors, his fans have largely been supportive, with one survey demonstrating that 92% of the public was sympathetic.

Following the incident, Kusanagi was quickly pulled from advertisements and his regular TV roles. According to his management at Johnny's Jimusho, Kusanagi will likely be coming back quickly based on the positive fan response. A decision will be made after discussions with all concerned parties, though no specific timeline has been set.

In particular, it has been stated that Takashi Yamazaki's movie "Ballad: Namonaki Koi no Uta," which stars Kusanagi and Yui Aragaki, will be released on September 5 as planned. PR for the film has currently been halted, but it appears that Kusanagi will soon be able to resume promotional activities.

Link to article

05-03-2009, 04:59 PM

Good

Thanks for the post!

05-02-2009, 12:33 AM	#1
Tokyograph News Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 11	No indictment for Kusanagi, quick return expected Tokyo prosecutors have reached a decision to not indict SMAP member Tsuyoshi Kusanagi. The conclusion came only eight days after Kusanagi was arrested for public indecency, when he was drunk and naked late at night in Hinokicho Park near Tokyo Midtown. Prosecutors based the decision on the fact that Kusanagi exhibited remorse and had no prior offenses on record. The crime itself was one that normally does not result in arrest, but police had arrested Kusanagi after he resisted and refused to put his clothes back on. Kusanagi has mostly remained at home since his release on April 24. He, his management, and other SMAP members have offered multiple public apologies. Although there have been lots of negative reactions among the press, politicians, and his corporate sponsors, his fans have largely been supportive, with one survey demonstrating that 92% of the public was sympathetic. Following the incident, Kusanagi was quickly pulled from advertisements and his regular TV roles. According to his management at Johnny's Jimusho, Kusanagi will likely be coming back quickly based on the positive fan response. A decision will be made after discussions with all concerned parties, though no specific timeline has been set. In particular, it has been stated that Takashi Yamazaki's movie "Ballad: Namonaki Koi no Uta," which stars Kusanagi and Yui Aragaki, will be released on September 5 as planned. PR for the film has currently been halted, but it appears that Kusanagi will soon be able to resume promotional activities. Link to article

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05-03-2009, 04:59 PM	#2
Unregistered Posts: n/a	Good Thanks for the post!