entertainment

Becky loses sponsors, regular TV appearances over affair scandal

104 Comments

Japanese “talent” Becky, 31, will be taking an enforced “leave” from the show business world amid escalating public and media bashing over her rumored affair with Enon Kawatani, 27, the vocalist of the popular band Gesu no Kiwami Otome, news of which broke in early January.

Sun Music Production Corp, Becky’s management agency, reportedly approached TV networks on Jan 28, requesting the talent-singer be removed from her regular programs due to ill health and depression resulting from the daily reports on her affair, Sankei Shimbun and other media reported Tuesday.

Becky will not be featured in future productions of all her 10 regular TV programs, including the popular Nippon TV “Tensai! Shimura Dobutsuen,” “Sekai no Hate Made Itte Q!” and TBS’ “Nakai Masahiro no Kinyobi no Sumatachi e.” She is also an MC for a regular Tokyo FM radio program, but she is likely to lose that job following this week's broadcast, which had already been scheduled, Sankei Shimbun reported.

Becky was also removed from all commercials she had been featured in, both on TV and online, with the majority of companies taking preemptive measures within days after the scandal broke. By the end of January, all 10 sponsors Becky had contracts with, including convenience store chain Lawson, had announced that they will not be renewing their contracts with her.

News of Becky’s rumored affair broke in the Jan 7 issue of Shukan Bunshun magazine, which revealed it had seen LINE messages in which Kawatani reportedly said he wanted to marry Becky if he could divorce his wife. Becky and Kawatani are said to have spent Christmas eve together and New Year with Kawatani’s family in Nagasaki after which photos of the couple started appearing in tabloids.

Becky held a press conference on Jan 6, apologizing for the stir and denying rumors of her being in a love affair with Kawatani, stating that her relationship with him was simply of a friendship nature and that she had not known at first that he was married.

After the scandal broke, Kawatani went public with his marriage. Prior to that, he had told reporters his wife was a friend. He also said that he and Becky were just friends.

Shukan Bunshun published a follow-up story on Jan 21, leaking another apparent LINE conversation between Becky and Kawatani, in which the two are reportedly cheerfully discussing the initial scoop, saying that “it may actually set (them) free (to go public with the affair),” and expressing their gratitude to the magazine for releasing the story. Becky is also said to have written Kawatani that she “will use the ‘friendship-story,’” indicating that she may have intentionally lied regarding their relationship during the press conference.

The second story went viral in Japan, causing even greater damage to Becky’s career, with people in and out of show business expressing frustration not only with Becky, but with TV channels that had continued to feature her in their programs, many of which had used recordings completed before the scandal broke out. According to Sponichi Nippon, a TV channel that had included Becky in one of its programs last week, received over 1,000 complaint calls within just 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, the authenticity of the LINE conversations has not been verified to date, though neither Becky nor Kawatani have refuted them. The person who leaked the conversation has also been unidentified, with Shukan Bunshun intensely protecting its sources despite enormous public interest.

© Japan Today

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104 Comments
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It is not uncommon for Japanese married men to have a girlfriend or to fool around with other women. I wonder if the attention is on her because she is hafu? I greatly enjoyed her performance in Shomuni. It will be a pity if her career is destroyed permanently over this. My senpai had a Korean girlfriend and even had a child with her but the company never saw fit to punish him even though it was a pretty well known 'secret'.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Well, if she can speak English or French she can come to work in Canada anytime she wants,she's more than welcome :)

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I like Becky but to say she is a talent is over the top

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The real irony here is that the J-entertainment business is mostly controlled by the yakuza. So much for squeaky clean. And that's one reason nobody writes a tell-all book. http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/02/06/the-yakuza-are-running-japan-s-hollywood.html

0 ( +1 / -1 )

what if becky committed suicide because of this? I think her haters would have forgiven her in the first place. she made the mistake and paid for it heavily. now, let her repent and forget about whether coming back or not, let's just move on for now.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

It obvious why most Japanese are not supporting this women. One being Japan is a male dominated society women either take the punishment at any cost and not make any trouble. In most women the thought is she caused the trouble by crossing the line and dating a married man. Again the man still has his career and can go home to his wife. The real truth is she is looked at being half Japanese and half a talent who went outside of the cultural norms of a conforming society that says it's ok for a man to do something but when a women who is respected and goes out against the grain it's a no no so you won't get that support from the women!

0 ( +2 / -2 )

1,000 complaints in ten minutes when they showed a pre-recorded program with her obviously being the bubbly personality she presents on the screen. For perspective, that's more complaints than Western tv companies get when there is blatant swearing or racism on the screen.

What this and the previous incidents with mostly female celebs show is how vindictive some people are in Japan. Especially towards women. Some people habour views that are way beyond the worst you'll see in say Britain's Daily Mail. The gap between reality and their moral indignation is huge.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Complete overkill! Becky may have made a stupid mistake, but it was a mistake between her, that idiot guy and of course the woman that was lied to by her slimy husband, it's a private matter and everyone should just stay of it and let them sort it out. If she were a political figure and was involved in this kind of situation and from it would impede on her decision making as a influential leader, legislator then I can understand, but the girl is a celeb and this is not the first time and this is not at all new to the celeb word. She isn't the first, nor will she be the last to do something like this. People have too much time on their hands to munch and drool on the tragedy of others. I just fault her for making a statement to the media when this thing started to unfold and her management were the bungling idiots that wrote the worst statement which actually put her in an even worse situation then she already is in. She made a mistake, let her sort it out and everyone needs to stop being so judgmental about this woman, no one is perfect and everyone that judges her isn't perfect. These people have zero impact on my life, they don't feed my kids, give me money, influence my marriage, pay my mortgage, what do I care if this woman had an affair with a married man? The guy is the real sleaze in all of this, he needs to seriously work things out with his wife and if anything, his wife is the person that has every right to be pissed off and leave his *ss! She can do a lot better that's for sure, but that's again, a private matter and she and her idiot husband have to find a way forward and figure out how it will all play out. This country needs to get off its high horse and worry less about celebrities and worry about real important life altering issues that could really impact their lives good or bad. TV isn't one of those.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

There is a moral calendar somewhere in Japan and it is stuck on 1950.

It's pathetic.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

So the magazine illegally hacked into their phones and made public their conversation. Then that led to the destruction of her career because you know, love or friendship or whatever else was going on in between the two was such an atrocious thing.

I'm pretty sure if the responsible for the Sony hack (where all those e-mails were made public) were caught they would be severely punished. But what did magazine did is the same and probably even worse and yet, no-one seem to give crap about that. Even after destroying this person's career.

And who the Hell calls a channel to complain about the private life of a celebrity??? Ah I know, maybe it was all those weirdos who dreamed about being with her but then got a shot of reality. Kind of like the entire Japanese idol groups industry. This whole thing seriously is messed up.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Oh! Poor Becky, I don't understand why she like this Nezumi no kao Enon Kawatani. She should go to Specsavers as well as his wife too. Leave Becky alone. She doesn't know Enon Kawatani was married until Shukan Bunshun magazine reports about LINE message of idiot Kawatani reportedly said he wanted to marry Becky if he could divorce his wife.

I'm sure Becky won't date someone who was still married to someone else. The idiot Enon Kawatani's dishonest has costing Becky's reputation and her peaceful life. Now she was no longer seeing Enon Kawatani anymore. Why peoples let her moving on and forgiven her? Nobody perfect and this scandal was her honest mistake and let her move on. Medias should respect her privacy and give her second chance.

Dear Becky, don't take serious and rest for while. This is not end of the world and you will be walking on beautiful flowers road once storm was gone. We wished you all the best.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I think the whole PR thing in Japan is overrated. You can watch some of these eikawai shows and see some of the same people you saw years and years ago, just on a different platform, still clowning. Its their hustle and respect, but this is how Japan works- you look like this, you do this, we decide. The beck will have to regroup and figure it out, but Im sure shell be back in PR

0 ( +0 / -0 )

1000 furious Japanese people - Christ, sounds like a Million Moms. Inflated numbers and over-reacting hypocritical puritans.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

1000 furious Japanese people. If only these people could direct their passion towards the issues that effect the whole country.

We may hope

2 ( +2 / -0 )

What is hurting Becky most is the fact that she has cultivated her 'talent' based on an image as a good & wholesome lady. For those of us from the West - where morality is all but passé - this is a silly, ginned up scandal. Give her six months to a year and she will work her way back. Kawatani is the bad guy here of course. I wouldn't be surprised if it were his wife that was leaking the texts. She is the one that got the worst of this whole thing.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

I can imagine that part of the reason for letting her go from her TV contracts could well be true - 'ill health and depression resulting from the daily reports on her affair' - It must be tough for her. Everyone needs time to forgive and forget.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

While the blame game goes on and people question whether Becky new he was married or not; I'm amazed he managed to spend new year with her at his parents and that they were also oblivious to his marriage. If even they were being decieved, what must his wife be like "yes I'll marry you and I don't mind if you don't tell your parents and we spend new year apart". The whole thing is frankly bizarre and I struggle to feel sympathy for anyone involved.

I rather like her though so if she needs an insincere shoulder to cry on....

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Before crying 'poor Becky' with the herd, I'd like to be sure anything bad happened to her besides a temporary business drop. Her agents just gave her a holiday to go on honeymoon. She is getting the hugest amount of PR, the Kardashians are jealous because she can cash on it later.

It's sad that this affair has left her depressed and sick

You know her personnally ? It's likely she's crazy in love, having the time of life. I wish them the best. The woman that plays the role of Becky probably doesn't give a damn on how the frustrated strangers she'll never met judge her lifestyle, at worst, she is disappointed by them. She's got so many other nasty comments over the years that I doubt she'd have lasted if she was so sensitive and worried about it. She certainly doesn't want that the tv viewing bachans select her a husband or what. It's her life, not the audience.

very few if any of these companies will call you back

If she wants, she's back in the telly/CM circuit within 6 months. But maybe she will prefer retiring from show biz after so many years already.

Remember that member of SMAP found naked and drunk in a park next to his Roppongi tower condominium.

J- show biz also took back many 'naughty women' : the junky singer, the serial married-man seducer, the rock star with lame comments on women, the ex-hostess dictator widow, the soap girl turned porn star...They love them.

This girl lost ALL her job, i expect the same to happen to this guy no less.

He had no job to lose. She has only lost one role (the human Rika doll). And that had to happen as she couldn't do the big baby till her 70's. She still has her job of C-rank actress, but she has to propose new characters to get deals from now.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Gender inequality in Japan is at 1900s America levels. Women are treated as second class citizens.

Wake-up women of Japan. It is time for a revolution.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

I'm interested in, what happened to Kawatani? This girl lost ALL her job, i expect the same to happen to this guy no less.

Really? Members of rock bands are EXPECTED to be a-holes. If anything, this will enhance his image as a bad-boy rocker. I wouldn't put it past his management agency to have come up with this ploy intentionally... "Destroy someone else's livelihood in order to enhance the band's image."

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Japanese “talent” Becky, 31, will be taking an enforced “leave” from the show business world amid escalating public and media bashing over her rumored affair with Enon Kawatani, 27, the vocalist of the popular band Gesu no Kiwami Otome, news of which broke in early January

Shouldn't the words "show business," and "vocalist" also be in quotes....?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Freshmeat: I'm interested in, what happened to Kawatani? This girl lost ALL her job, i expect the same to happen to this guy no less.

High fives with his bandmates in the dressing room.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I'm interested in, what happened to Kawatani? This girl lost ALL her job, i expect the same to happen to this guy no less.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

jeez, I love the edit function on this website. I meant "the real sleazebags"

Anyway, I heard that the guy's wife cloned his iPhone from a backup and was thereby able to access the LINE messages. Not so much hacking LINE as it was "hacking" an iPhone.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

When you're seeing someone on the sly, even if both parties are single, it's not a smart idea to be corresponding via a social networking program. Seriously? Using Line to discuss your relationship? Unbelievable.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

The problem for Becky is that she is really only famous because she is a Japanese girl who speaks Japanese and does the cutesy Japanese bit to the billionth degree without looking entirely Japanese. She's being hung out to dry because she is a tarento/idol, not a talentless rock star. Her image is cutesy, Japanised ha-fu good girl, not girl having affair with extremely ugly married musician. She shattered her own image through this affair, but he didn't. So the whole spin is on her, not him, although he's the one who had the affair and betrayed his wife. It's pathetic, but it's how these two industries work. It's unfortunate for Becky, but she should have known the score after so many years in the industry. She's the victim here, but this is what happens to idols who lose their image in this country. It's sad that this affair has left her depressed and sick, which I have no doubt is the truth. She must be devastated by this, even if she isn't entirely surprised. I personally don't like her cutesy, pure image, but I feel very sorry for her. I hope she gets over this soon and we should wish her all the best.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

In the US, where any publicity is goog publicity, this would have been great for someone's career. Well, this is Japan. However, Becky is too popular and worth too much money. She'll be back by Spring. Remember that member of SMAP found naked and drunk in a park next to his Roppongi tower condominium. He's back. She'll be back!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Too bad she gave up her British passport for a useless Japanese one when she was 20. Now she is stuck here.

I don't think it would be too much of a hassle for her to get it back. If she lived in Britain she could probably even keep the Japanese one. In her situation though I'd personally feel inclined to go up to some middle-aged drone in an immigration office somewhere and rip the thing up in front of his eyes.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Oh, hypocrisy, thy name is Japan. thicker than molasses

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Top marks, Japan. Judgemental to the last. Hooray for national hypocricy, get ready to man the lifeboats....

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Too bad she gave up her British passport for a useless Japanese one when she was 20. Now she is stuck here.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Agree with most comments on here. She is annoying as hell, and it is extraordinary how she managed to build a whole career in the first place on so very little. But, he is much more guilty than her, with his consorting with another woman before the ink on his marriage certificate was dry. Yes she is much more famous, and yes she depends on this 'squeaky clean' image, but her transgression is really very minor compared to all the other things she could have been guilty of. The response of the 'entertainment' industry in closing ranks against her is totally out of proportion and just highlights the ridiculous timewarp they are all stuck in. Wouldn't it be great if the agency/management companies just ceased to exist tomorrow.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

One thing she won't be doing is leaving Japan.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

I think she will always be remembered by the way she said, "VTR..douzo".

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Disgusting how the hypocrite people in this country say they want to stamp up bullying ijime that even leads to suicide but at the same time are happy to jump to somebody's neck by the smallest things.. get ONE MINUTE late for a group activity and see people commenting about the "happening" after days.. OMG the guy used pot? that woman went out with a married man?? Monsters!! let's not only ostracize them but call 1000x to complain if they appear for 1 min on tv! Bullies! Bullies! Shame on you Japan!

0 ( +3 / -3 )

gogogoFeb. 03, 2016 - 09:34AM JST Why does Japan love revenge and punishment?

It is a bad trait of many Japanese people. They love to push people down. I have seen it happen to so many undeserving people who have had misfortunes in life. It makes me sick when I see people having to grovel on the floor in front of their persecuters for the tiniest trangressions.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

That was the picture she chose to paint and I am pretty sure she knew the "rules". Still, those hormones can run very, very hot in your early 30's.

Her time however was probably up...her cuteness level was certainly going to deflate over the next few years, so from a management perspective, the timing could not have been better.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I've got no idea who he is and have no intention of finding out. She, however, used to annoy the heck out of me when I first came to Japan 10 years ago and is part of the reason why I don't own a TV here, I only watch streaming services and DVDs.

Amen! Her loss is our gain.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Good, there are far better looking women I'd rather watch on TV than her.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

It's no fair only Becky to be judged! Actually there is no connection what you do in your private life and how you do your job! These are two different things! Many of the Japanese people have affairs but despite that they judge other people for the same mistakes. Unfortunately, this is how the system in Japan works...

P.S. Maybe Becky should shave her hair like another public figure did and she will be forgiven, I don't know

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Leave the poor woman alone. She has done nothing wrong.

It's the guy's marriage, so it's his responsibility to uphold the vows and fend off other women who take an interest in him.

And, how on earth did they get the LINE records? Maybe the guy didn't have a password on his phone and his wife checked it?

Anyway, none of this has anything to do with her professional capacity as an entertainer.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

I've got no idea who he is and have no intention of finding out. She, however, used to annoy the heck out of me when I first came to Japan 10 years ago and is part of the reason why I don't own a TV here, I only watch streaming services and DVDs. I feel quite sorry for her though, as the whole thing is way over the top but you run the risk of unraveling sooner or later if you live by a fake persona.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

The Special Feature today asks "Where are all the women leaders at?"

This woman, I feel strange using her first name only since I don't know her, has an opportunity here to speak out against this BS. Any thoughts on if that's possible?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Never heard of this woman. That written, perhaps this is a blessing in disguise. Now that the Japanese entertainment industry has turned its back on her, she'll be able to finally have a normal life; free to have as many male or female "friends" that she wants. . . .

1 ( +1 / -0 )

To have your life so constrained and scrutinised like that... well, there's no business like show-business.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Of all the things you could get outraged about in Japan. 1000 people bothered to call a TV station in 10 minutes?

1000 furious Japanese people. If only these people could direct their passion towards the issues that effect the whole country.

12 ( +12 / -0 )

I always wonder about public pressure on media and companies from citizens in Japan. It is enough to receive just few negative calls about something and the whole establishment is shaking, president apologizing, editorial stuff fired, blah, blah...

Same here - hundreds of negative calls against Becky ??? Why they don't hear the positive or at least the reasoned calls!!! So afraid to lose some steam and ready to abandon their gold cow immediately.

I was surprised even my boy knew the pop singer had an affair and was disgusted. The Japanese are with so washed brains! Everything is fine if it is well hidden but just a little open and it becomes horrendous. May be that's why they are so overprotective for their personal information - not wanting my number or not having ID on them.

I'm not fan of Becky but I hope she gets the support to recover. And even the guy was planning to divorce - anybody has the right for happiness. People don't have to live with someone they don't love .

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I'm not a fan of Becky and frankly I find her eyes somewhat creepy. Conversely, I like Gesu Otome and think Kawatani is a brilliant songwriter, but in this case both are equally at fault and responsible for their actions. One can easily see the injustice and partiality of why only Becky is getting punished. This speaks volumes about the prevailing attitudes in the media and J-society in general: finding a scapegoat or a fall guy in witch hunts seems to be the practice here. I don't know if she'll recover after this major damage. I hope she's more than saved enough for a rainy day.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Oh, hypocrisy, thy name is Japan.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

The only peccadillic transgression Becky could be blameworthy of is broken heart induced naivety.

Conniving callous caddish, Dick Dastardly-esque Enon Kawatani, should have been flushed round the U bend in a similar manner other effluent is discarded on being wife busted.......... Chin up Becky!!

0 ( +2 / -2 )

IIRC, she is fluent in English, Japanese and German, heard that her Family moved to England during WWII from Germany.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Shukan Bunshun intensely protecting its sources despite enormous public interest.

Except Becky.

I really wish this had happened to the "Why Japanese people!" guy instead of Becky...

HELL YEAH!!! Shinjuku, I wish I could give you 10 thumbs up

On the other hand, I never liked Becky. I thought she was annoying. But how she was treated was just disgusting. The media industry in Japan is run exactly like a mafia organization. No different.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Good. She's overrated in my opinion. I've grown so tired of her.

@Emily - WOW! Sad to see happiness over someone's downfall. SMH.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Shinjuku No YajuFEB. 03, 2016 - 12:47PM JST I really wish this had happened to the "Why Japanese people!" guy instead of Becky...

It couldn't have happened to him. His market appeal isn't based on the public imagining him to be virginal.

Incidentally, the article still misrepresents the issue.

News of Becky’s rumored affair

Becky is not married. Therefore it can't be "her affair". It can be "Kawatani's affair" or "Kawatani's affair with Becky" but it can't be "Becky's affair" because Becky isn't the person who swore marriage vows. When I pointed this out earlier, my comment was deleted for being off-topic. How can the article misrepresenting a fundamental component of the story in order to conform to the "Let's boo Becky" narrative be "off topic"?

11 ( +11 / -0 )

I really wish this had happened to the "Why Japanese people!" guy instead of Becky...

5 ( +7 / -2 )

She can always do English teaching. Actually, can she speak English?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Why pass a new law against investigative journalism that can carry a jail sentence if it's not imposed ! Hacking an account >>and leaking information to a news outlet is all the above !

probably a law been made only for political figures caught hiding wrongdoings.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

I learnt two things 1) Japan's media world is totally messed up, she can root who she likes for all I care 2) Never use LINE if you value your privacy

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Why pass a new law against investigative journalism that can carry a jail sentence if it's not imposed ! Hacking an account and leaking information to a news outlet is all the above !

1 ( +1 / -0 )

"Meanwhile the sleazebag "artist" Kawatani still performs live with his band and generally goes about his business--what's his punishment??"

My vote for post of the year.

Note to Becky; I have always been a fan and don't care what you do in your private life, but since you are now a fallen angel---and very few if any of these companies will call you back--- maybe it's time for you to complete your journey to the Dark Side. I suggest you call a news conference and announce that you have had it with the maniacal control agencies hold over their stars and with the double standard offered to men (some astitute poster mention that Tsuyoshi of SMAP was buck-naked and drunk in a park and nary an endorsement was cancelled). Then announce you are going to write a book---here's the title, "THE DIRT"---and tell of all of the sleazy deals and bargains and deeds that go on behind the lights and buzzers. Don't name names in your book. The busy-body Japanese public will wet their pants over trying to guess who-did-what that the daily news shows will have to invite you back to discuss these "issues."

Just a suggestion....

9 ( +11 / -2 )

Jeez Bill Clinton had an affair and stayed president.

LoL. Exactly. He even lied about it. Becky didn't tell a lie.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

From the land of host/hostess bars, Becky gets punishment for being with a man who is married and how lied about it. Go figure.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

Why is it anyone's business if Becky, an single woman dated a guy? Ok, so he turned out to be married, so hound him, Becky may have done nothing wrong if she fell for him before she knew he was married. Poor thing, I love Becky on Ningen Monitaringu on Thursdays. She shouldn't have to lose her career over this. Jeez Bill Clinton had an affair and stayed president.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

Meanwhile, the authenticity of the LINE conversations has not been verified to date, though neither Becky nor Kawatani >>have refuted them.

Honestly she should have refuted them and let the magazine expose itself and the person who disclosed them to bring the authenticity of the LINE conversation first or facing to be sued for libel or similar, she seems to have bad legal adviser. Why did she give her own head on a plate without fighting the wolves ? As an Half Japanese + being a woman here she should have known that she will be treated like dirt, and here she is now.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Good. She's overrated in my opinion. I've grown so tired of her.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

Her sister is a pro dancer in the U.S. and seems to be loving life.

Of course, women have and enjoy more freedom in the US compared with Japan.

According to Sponichi Nippon, a TV channel that had included Becky in one of its programs last week, received over 1,000 complaint calls within just 10 minutes.

Wow. 1,000 goody-two shoe whiners, only in Japan.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

what's happening isn't because of sexism. becky and kawatani live in two totally different worlds. becky is a tv talent, and she has built her image on being cute, funny, and wholesome. the dude, on the other hand, is a rock musician. even in the effeminente j-rock scene, there is no expectation of purity by their fans.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

@GoGo: Excellent question. What is the answer?

They sure take pleasure in ratting and squealing on each other with heavy meddling too.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

And again, this is being spun as a Becky scandal rather than a Kawatani scandal even though any reasonable interpretation of the facts would have to conclude that Becky did nothing wrong while Kawatani would have been the one who caused the mess (well, really the tabloids are the ones, but at least of the two of them he seems more culpable).

The extent of the hypocrisy and just sheer madness of this drives me nuts - I dont even like Becky and Ive never heard of Kawatani but this is just so blatantly wrong on so many levels I can`t help but pay attention to it and make comments like this.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Riffraff, true that he was the married one, but there is a bored, nosy and unhappy segment of society that sees Becky as the marriage destroyer, and that to them is way more unforgivable.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Are we still obsessed with virginity?

0 ( +4 / -4 )

She is half-Brit so if I were her I'd use that opportunity to get out of this country treating her like dirt and move to Europe. With a UK passport, she can live in many other countries in Europe too.

Only thing is she is a celeb so was probably forced to give up her UK passport at 20 under a watchful eye. So I would not know how she would go about things.

Her sister is a pro dancer in the U.S. and seems to be loving life.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Jeez! She's 31. Just let her live her life how she wants to.

@PSandoz. That's frowned upon here in Japan. Women have no freedom here.

Wow! In the U.S. that would make her more famous.

Yeah. TMZ would be all over it. Her agent would be overwhelmed with multiple new offers. What a big cultural difference between JPN / USA.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Becky and the whole gaggle of "talento" circus performers are annoying. Having said that, she is getting a raw deal from the establishment. The guy is just as much at fault as she is and should be getting the same treatment, after all, he was the one married.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Wow! In the U.S. that would make her more famous.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Totally agree with RiskyMosaic.

A stupid bashing and now we are getting another one with Kiyohara's drug scandal (marijuana, cocain or more?). Anyway, Japanese are human with defects as well as others in all over the world.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Poor girl! This is quite an incredible piece of tabloid digging by the magazine, good on them!

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Jeez! She's 31. Just let her live her life how she wants to.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

The irony is that the media frenzy on the scandal will be a major career booster for Kawatani who now has much better name recognition, all at the expense of Becky's career.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

I hate the japanese media. All this bashing is unfair and sponsors dumping her. Clearly bullying.

13 ( +16 / -3 )

Why does Japan love revenge and punishment?

3 ( +5 / -2 )

I'm not a huge fan of Becky but I do hope she makes it back. I think the backlash was not from the initial news, but the "follow-up scoop" which revealed that Becky and the married singer had exchanged LINE messages that "maybe it was good this came out because now we can be open about our relationship (LOL)." I am concerned about the legality of obtaining said messages, but the damage has been done.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Seems to be very sexist and even perhaps racist?

Sexist - there definitely seems to be some sexist elements to the issue. But nothing to indicate that her being hafu has anything to do with it.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

And, pres tel, what's happening to Kawatani, besides an increased interest in his career? Why is Becky the 'bad guy' here?

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Seems like the wife was the one who leaked it or so some in the media have said. Not really a fan of Becky's and don't understand the appeal, but I feel sorry for her because of the childish, petty, and asinine behavior of the 1000's of fans who felt it important to ruin the woman's life. Yes, what she did was wrong, but was what she did really worth destroying her livelihood because you don't have a life and have way too much free time on your hands? Those pathetic complainers need to get a life and stop being such holier-than-now "haters", as if they have never done anything wrong. It is also sad to see these companies kowtowing to this childish and boring behavior.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

The junk magazine should be sued for invasion of privacy. The reaction of the networks is disgusting.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

I predicted this a couple of weeks ago. Didn't I? The show business decides the fate of their puppets and easily manipulates the public through various media. They are more powerful than the government itself ...

3 ( +4 / -1 )

How did they get the line messages legally? This is simply invasion of privacy unless Becky or the douche willingly showed their line history.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Seems to be very sexist and even perhaps racist? since she is a halfu, to me anyway. And the poor japanese rock singer , oh poor guy had to balance two loves at the same time. Tahein, lets feel sorry for him, and bash the halfu. I dont even see any evidence of an affair, and could really care less. Ive never bought into the whole act that Becky portrayed as the token halfu; Ive seen Japanese walk past posters with her on it and blurt out "gaijin mitai!" It all goes back to the rule, your either japanese or your not.

4 ( +10 / -6 )

The problem for Becky is that she trades on a anodyne public persona. Kawatani doesn't, hence the misconduct is an issue between him and his wife, not him and his agency.

It's kinda sad that a 31 year-old woman has to maintain an image of child-like chastity, but on the other hand, that's her bread and butter. Personally, I think she would have been better sticking to her guns and denouncing Kawatani as a fraud rather than offering a grovelling apology. Now the wolves have scented blood and it's going to be very messy for her.

On the other hand, she was due to make a speech at my uni last year, so who knows? Maybe we dodged a bullet?

13 ( +14 / -1 )

I agree, the male should be having the same if not worse repercussions. As a whole though, I think the amount that the agencies are going to destroy her career is absolutely stupid.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

Now this is a very good and transparent example of clear bullying! Poor girl. I hope she makes it through.

12 ( +18 / -6 )

My only complaint about Becky is her hairdo. Other than that, I find her cute, funny, and easy to understand.

I find it amazing how careers here get destroyed because of jealousy and pettiness. Heck, one of the SMAP dudes was standing drunk and naked in a park and made it back. One of the other SMAP dudes thought he had free parking anywhere he pleased and made it back. And all four SMAP dudes cannot sing and came back.

Becky will be back.. We love you Becky. CHin up and stand tall....and everyone else boycott the seduction married guy and his so called music.

4 ( +17 / -13 )

How is it not illegal to publish people's private emails (or LINE messages or whatever)?

19 ( +25 / -6 )

A semi witch hunt. Also why is Becky a girl being punished, yet no news about the guy? Esp since he was married.

Hope Becky made and saved enough to be set for life. I doubt she'll be able to come back from this. Not any time soon

25 ( +29 / -4 )

Why is she being punished? She did not know her boyfriend was married.

The real sleeve ages here are the companies that dropped Becky's contracts.

15 ( +24 / -9 )

Meanwhile the sleazebag "artist" Kawatani still performs live with his band and generally goes about his business--what's his punishment??

57 ( +58 / -2 )

Interestingly, I haven't heard too much sympathy for Becky from women. I think this story plays on the fear many Japanese women have that some floozy will end up seducing their husband. I guess it's a bigger concern in Japan for the many women who are stay at home mothers dependent on their husband's salary.

21 ( +26 / -5 )

What a bizarre story. Rather than the unraveling of Becky's public image, the focus really should be about how a gossip magazine took it upon itself to seize a moment to humiliate publicly and destroy the career of an inoffensive TV personality. And 1,000 complaint calls? Infantile. Why aren't there calls for the person who hacked/leaked the Line accounts to be identified and prosecuted? Why isn't the magazine being investigated for shady "journalistic" practices and invasion of privacy, possibly getting their info from criminal activity?

49 ( +56 / -8 )

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