Public broadcaster NHK reaffirmed this week that it will not invite five enka signers who participated in a golf competition with gangsters to take part in its year-end program Red & White Song Contest.
Speaking at a press conference, program production head Hyuga Hidemi said, “After discussions with their agents, we have decided not to invite the five enka singers for the program this year.”
The five singers are Takashi Hosokawa, Akira Kobayashi, Nobue Matsubara, Hiroshi Kadokawa and Kiyoshi Nakajo, all of whom have admitted playing golf with the gangsters. According to the weekly magazine Shukan Shincho, the five attended the golfing event in Shizuoka Prefecture in mid-September. The singers, except Nakajo, also attended a party after the competition, the report said.
© Japan Today
14 Comments
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Pump24
Ok, ok, but who won the competition? Or is that self explanitory...
soldave
But they'll continue with interviews or whatever with LDP officials?
Lieutenant
Sucked in. Good to see there are consequences for associating with the heavy-handed no-good thugs. Now they will have to spend the evening watching the event on tv.
Altria
On the bright side, 5 less enka performances on Kohaku might make it less on a snoozefest this year...might.
techall
How come they never name the gangsters in these stories?
pointofview
Its amazing how they know these gangsters but dont take them in. The world of hipocracy at its best!
onewrldoneppl
this story only proves that, in addition to terrible fashion sense, yakuzas' musical appetites are dubious. was that Jero playin' b-ball with Fifty Cent? how come no ban for him?
usaexpat
Alright NHK standing up to corruption and the Yaks. What a bunch of idiots how about looking at your own crappy operations.
DXXJP
Yeah I would say the guy coming to your door every month for the fee is about the same as a yak shake down.
SpanishEyez37
Look who is calling the kettle black.
ptolemy
Now if NHK would ban itself from the airwaves, that would be justice.
Deepinside
how do they know they are gangsters ? because the gold teeths or the way the walk....
Samantha Ueno
Seriously, pot meet kettle, who was at my door threatening me to give them money after I moved in? "It's the law in Japan, you know, you HAVE to pay." My husband told me that they will be persistent, and even ask to come into your house to see if you have a TV. I haven't had any yakuza at my door threatening for money, so Yakuza 1, NHK 0. And who cares about these old enka farts? Where is JERO?!?!
Elbuda Mexicano
I really like enka songs, but this news makes me a bit sad. Jero is cool but I like some of the old enka farts. Miyako Harumi is quite good! I am happy she was not involved in this mess.