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Japanese idol singer reveals that she’s pregnant with her manager’s baby

63 Comments
By Casey Baseel, SoraNews24

Generally speaking, most idol singer managers in Japan would just as soon their performers not have any love life at all. Anti-dating clauses are often explicitly written into singers’ contracts, and even when they’re not, there’s usually an unspoken understanding that any scent of an idol being involved romantically with a guy will damage the specific image of virginal beauty that gets hard-core idol fans to open their wallets extra-wide.

However, 18-year-old idol singer Asuka Kiraboshi recently revealed that not only has she been in a relationship for the past two years, but that she’s now pregnant, and that the father is her 22-year-old manager. Kiraboshi, a member of relatively unknown idol group Star-Bright until last October, broke the news through her Twitter account and official blog, saying:

“I’m sure this comes as a big surprise to many of you! I think that some of you will no longer be interested in me, but I have no intention of stopping my career, and from now on, I’ll be doing my best with my baby inside my stomach.”

However, the news prompted several angry responses from fans, or at least people who had been fans up until they learned of the pregnancy. Online reactions included:

“I’m so disappointed. And with her manager, of all people? That’s the absolute worst. Well, I’m done being her fan, but here’s hoping for a happy future for her.”

“I’m no longer a fan. Sleeping with your manager and having a kid is an insult to your fans.”

“If they were amateurs, it’d be a different story, but neither of them has the right to call themselves professionals.”

“Betraying your fans like that, to put it mildly, was stupid. Way too rude.”

“What is she thinking, not even taking care of the few fans she has? Does she think her fans are stupid?”

“Her manager should quit immediately.”

Kiraboshi’s manager, however, has said that he intends to continue representing the singer. Both Kirabaoshi and her manager also apologized for any trouble they have caused, with the manager going so far as to say “What I did was a betrayal of the people who have supported [Kiraboshi], and I realize I have done something I shouldn’t have.”

Some fans some seemed able to take the development more or less in stride, reacting to the news with:

“Well, good luck you too (not my problem).”

“No undoing what you did, but here’s hoping your baby is happy and healthy.”

“It’s life a real-life eroge [erotic video game]!”

Other fans’ anger simply can’t be placated, though, such as the one who, using questionable logic, fired off the comment:

“If you’re apologizing, it shows that you realize you did something wrong, so I’m praying for your continued unhappiness.”

Eventually, the vitriol got to be enough that Kiraboshi herself started, gently, fighting back, tweeting “A lot of people have been calling me ugly or uncute, or that I’m a bad singer. If you have a complaint, please come to my next concert,” and “If you have a complaint, let’s talk about it face-to-face.”

Despite the word “betrayal” being bandied about, Kiraboshi’s pregnancy doesn’t seem to be the result of a commitment-less fling. In addition to the couple having been romantically involved for the past two years, she says they had discussed their mutual desire to have a baby. The manager also posted a message on the singer’s blog saying that “While I want to apologize to her fans, I also feel happy [about becoming a father]…Taking everyone’s opinions into account, I will devote myself to becoming the world’s best manager and father.” Kiraboshi has also said that while she and her baby’s father have yet to set a date, they plan to register their marriage “once things settle down.”

Sources: J Cast News via Otakomu via Anime News Network/Lynzee Loveridge, Twitter/@kirakira416a, Twitter/@8kvxKnfLAHI8v0V

Read more stories from SoraNews24.

-- Idol ordered to pay management company 650,000 yen after going to hotel with male fan

-- Japanese judge dismisses lawsuit against idol singer who violated contract’s no-dating clause

-- Japanese idol placed in safe house after rape threat, official website still lists bust size

© SoraNews24

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

63 Comments
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Well surprise surprise!

Guess he is a Hands on type of manager!

13 ( +15 / -2 )

Her manager is definitely done... Japan just won't forgive this guy no matter how old he is. To me, more than her, he was the culprit in this. Her Manager is there to keep her out of trouble...

-8 ( +3 / -11 )

I bet those fans screaming "this is an insult to us fans" are a bunch of 40 years old otaku with sexual fantasies with 18 years old she younger girls.

22 ( +25 / -3 )

Well, so much for 'virginal beauty'... will have to settle for 'beauty' alone... 22-year-old manager? I wonder what his qualifications are.

10 ( +13 / -3 )

This sad sack bunch of fans think they own the woman. Pathetic.

27 ( +28 / -1 )

I’ll be doing my best with my baby inside my stomach.”

This shouldn't bother me, but it does. Babies do not grow inside stomachs. Natch.

13 ( +19 / -6 )

Good. Her gig with that unknown idol group wouldn’t have went anywhere. Japanese need to start making babies. I wish the couples luck.

5 ( +10 / -5 )

If they are so apologetic, let them refund all live and recorded sales back to their fans.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

Japanese idol singer reveals that she’s pregnant with her manager’s baby

OOPS!!

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Was ready to be disgusted, but 22 year old and 18 year old..... eh. who cares. Both a bit young, but that's their problem, not mine. Given the what probably goes on in this industry, this is pretty much a non-story.

11 ( +15 / -4 )

What a load of nenesense. It is unnatural to restrict people from having normal human relationsips with contract terms. Live and let live

12 ( +14 / -2 )

So all this started when she was 16 and he was 20?

7 ( +9 / -2 )

“If you’re apologizing, it shows that you realize you did something wrong, so I’m praying for your continued unhappiness.”

Wrong. The biological imperative of all living creatures is to reproduce and natural. Japan needs more babies. Right-right. They plan to take responsibility and marry. Right again.

However, there are some gray areas here insofar as authority (22/manager) and a minor (18/idol) and consent are concerned. In addition, there are even darker areas in the whole idol system and the "authority" given to fans and their expectations of the young female entertainers.

If you are apologizing it shows that you live in a shaming culture which demands contrition for all manner of perceived "wrongs."

10 ( +11 / -1 )

A lot of people have been calling me ugly or uncute, or that I’m a bad singer.

Eighteen? Sounds more like a twelve year old. Sad.

-7 ( +4 / -11 )

I’ll be doing my best with my baby inside my stomach.

At an age when you still think the baby is in your stomach - good luck raising it.

5 ( +10 / -5 )

C'mon peeps, 'stomach' is a translation, probably of 腹の中 Hara no naka, a broad expression for 'in (my) belly'. She would never have said ibukuro 胃袋 which is more explicitly stomach.

12 ( +13 / -1 )

a minor (18/idol)

I don't believe she is a minor.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Japan needs more babies and hopefully she won’t kill the In Utero Japanese Baby. It’s regrettable that they were not married but the baby is innocent and will be a new cute addition to Japan’s aging population. Japan desperately needs new Japanese babies and young adults.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

hopefully she won’t kill the In Utero Japanese Baby.

There's been no mention of that anywhere, and she's intending to marry the guy, so I don't think this is a worry at all.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

Cute Girl - Cant Blame the Manager - lets hope it starts a baby boom and stop the Japanese Population decline.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

This just clearly shows how highly did-functional a great many are who part in all this idol non-sense!! No wonder fewer & fewer are dating each other let alone marrying LOL!!!

2 ( +5 / -3 )

So all this started when she was 16 and he was 20? thats the problem, a minor in a relationship with her manager, let me ask how many people here on JT would allow their 16yr old daughter date her adult manager!?

-3 ( +6 / -9 )

Good luck to them both, her fans need to GROW UP!

2 ( +4 / -2 )

No comment on this specific case I think these anti-dating clauses etc should be illegal.

What someone does in private is no-ones business but their own and who they choose to share it with, if that makes the occasional quasi shut in man boy fan sad so be it...

Perhaps they might actually go out and talk to some real people they may actually have a chance with and slowly put and end to this bizarre sexualized idolization of young women as innocent unobtainable ideals of some preset "character".

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Some of fans' reactions are absolutely priceless (and scary)! Some would-be stalkers in the lot.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Those who stop being a fan because of this were never true fans to begin with, and are disgusting, and part of the endemic problem with kiddy-porn and child molestation and what not that exists here; be it on magazine covers sexualizing children or what have you. And while she is 18 and not like the 13 year olds you see on some mag covers in sexual positions, she is still, by law, a child. Age of consent and all that aside.

Now, in a nation where companies won't allow relationships for their idols, this manager's got a bit of explaining to do.

7 ( +11 / -4 )

Very very weird...this relationship that idols have with their fans to be some virgin with no man so that the individual fan can more realistically fantasize about her.

I just flew to Thailand and back and 3 guys in their 20s with masks on were watching some idol group on their iPads non stop for about 4 hours. They creep me out.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Wtf japan

Not accurate, because in Japan a sixteen year old is not a minor.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

There's been no mention of that anywhere, and she's intending to marry the guy, so I don't think this is a worry at all.

But at the time when they started the relationship she was a minor, therefore, it was wrong and the guy hopefully will be a done deal after this. Sexual Predator and inappropriate.

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

If you have a complaint, please come to my next concert,” and “If you have a complaint, let’s talk about it face-to-face.”

Encouraging angry strangers to confront you at your next concert? Not a good idea.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

She's 18 and he's 22. He didn't rape her, did he? What's the problem? I wish them the very best.

BTW, isn't the legal marriage age for Japanese females 16?

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Did some checking and the age is neither 16 like I said, but it isn’t so black and white either.

This is helpful.

https://www.quora.com/Why-is-the-age-of-consent-so-low-in-Japan

3 ( +3 / -0 )

“What is she thinking, not even taking care of the few fans she has? Does she think her fans are stupid?”

Well, the world needs ditch diggers too.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

According to Japanese government statistics, there were 11,890 births by mothers between the ages of 15-19 in 2015 (the latest year available). Along with the 39 cases of mothers under 14, they made up 1.2% of all births in Japan.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Motherhood is a huge emotional and financial responsibility.

I would struggle emotionally touching thirty, let alone at eighteen. I also question his professional conduct. He has a duty of care morally too.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

20 year old with a 16 year old...WTF

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

What a ridiculous expectation that female idols shouldn't have a life! What the !?!!?

I hope she becomes super famous and sets new standards. Signing that contract should be illegal!!!

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Crazy fans. She’s not their piece of crumpet, just a singer they listen to. Oh sorry was dreaming she was theirs a precious fantasy?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

What really is an insult here is their relationship to the other group's members. They're not allowed to have any dating life but their manager, the one who doesn't allow them to, is dating and having sexual relations with one of them. If I was one of them, while happy for her for the baby, I would feel totally betrayed.

This "no dating" clause in idols' contracts should be made illegal.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

GarthgoyleToday  06:36 pm JST

This "no dating" clause in idols' contracts should be made illegal.

Absolutely. All such clauses, in any industry, that restrict workers' private lives outside of work, need to go.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Mind that she was 16 (a minor) when the ordeal began.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

But at the time when they started the relationship she was a minor, therefore, it was wrong and the guy hopefully will be a done deal after this. Sexual Predator and inappropriate.

Given this lady is 18 and pregnant, we don't know whether the two engaged in intercourse before she reached the age of consent, which in Tokyo is 17 per the Youth Protection Law., but we know she is above the age of consent now.

Regarding the distinction between the age of consent and the age of majority, the former simply means one can provide permission to another to engage in intercourse, while the latter is the age at which one ceases to be a minor.

In Japan, each prefecture has its own age of consent, as well as most municipalities.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The obligatory, frankly vacuous caricature of fake guilt,

What I did was a betrayal of the people who have supported [Kiraboshi], and I realize I have done something I shouldn’t have.”

Delivered with a fork tongue.

Kiraboshi san, when your trousers went south, your professional integrity followed in quick succession.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

These fans are insane and their sense of entitlement is pretty scary. I really hope this mentality changes.

It feels a bit iffy that they started their relationship when she was 16 and he was 20. Not talking about any legal aspects, but at that age 4 years is quite the difference. And with him being in such a powerful position compared to her, it just feels a bit weird for them to begin a relationship.

Regardless, I wish them the best. I hope they can make a happy life for themselves and their child.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@thepersoniamnow

16 is the marriageable age for women in Japan and 18 for men.

Google it if you don't believe me.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Judging from the "culture" of the idol industry including it's fans, there's a series decline in emotional health of the society. I can't tell how big a problem this is but it SEEMS significant. The fans' quotes here show very disturbed individuals. This is the narcissistic/death-cult aspect of the "culture."

4 ( +4 / -0 )

People think other idols don't put out for their bosses?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Not accurate, because in Japan a sixteen year old is not a minor. oh ok then how about your high school daughter dating a professional salaryman, and most likely in a sexual relationship at the same time, minor or not 16 is very close to 15!?

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

At least they did not put pressure for an abortion.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

After considering that two little pieces of info I brought myself to read, I wish them all the best and to exit that stain-on-the-planet industry as soon as possible. All that worthless biological litter calling itself "fans" is of no significance to the societ; after all, they already have one children more than their whole "fanbase" combined. Boy I was one step from vomiting.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

A singer is going to have a baby with her manager, who she appears to also be in a serious relationship with, and it's somehow a "betrayal" of fans? This whole concept of idols having to be single so they can forever seem attainable to hordes of sad-sack fans is just totally mental. Entertainers should be free to get on with their lives and their "fans" should get lives. If they even can.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

SaikoPhyscoJan. 6  07:54 am JST

Her manager is definitely done... Japan just won't forgive this guy no matter how old he is.

Then that's Japan's problem. These stupid anti-dating clauses should not be in performers' contracts. No wonder the birthrate is plummeting when "virginal beauty" is held up as something to emulate and single men with no lives are encouraged to fantasise about being together with them - which would never actually be allowed, of course, because of the same anti-dating clauses.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Well, Simon Foston, we could also consider this a part of "natural selection". After some generation it will strike most of them that unintelligent citizens, leading such lives as "fans" and adoring idols more than their own well-being, simply started to die out due to not having any offspring, then something will change. More or less naturally. Until then, we can only lament this society of great contrast.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

So all this started when she was 16?

https://media.giphy.com/media/S3Ot3hZ5bcy8o/giphy.gif

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Cop a load of her self centred, self-righteous 'fans' here will you. What a bunch of supercilious morons - with fans like that it sounds like she has just made the best career move she could.

Good luck to them both.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

I thought gossip was what drives “teen idols” groups. This couple might turn out to be the “rave” on these “talento” shows. I wish them well. However, there’s a strong possibility that he’s a serial abuser.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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