Shimada's exit comes amid gov't drive to stamp out organized crime

Shimada, known for his straight-talking style, has long been controversial. In 2004, a court fined him 300,000 yen for punching and injuring one of his agency’s female employees.

Sounds like a really classy guy. /sarcasm

Even Japan’s top government spokesman, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano, commented on the case.

Sounds like Shimada is just a fall guy...and why the hell is the JGov making comments on this...dumb dumb dumb,,,we need better separation of entertainment and state,

I have tumbled down from the top of the mountain down the cliff but I think it is typical of me. I want to live quietly.

Hey cheer up...after all this **is Japan. Stay quiet for a year, and you can make a come back. Celebrity and politicians ex-cons always do it!

intensifying government drive to stamp out organized crime from the entertainment and sporting worlds

Err, why don't they try and stamp out organized crime from their own ranks first? Oyabun Ozawa should be the first to go.

I'd appreciate it if they made an effort to stamp out organized crime from general society too, not just from among the social elites.

“Mr Shimada has been loved by the people because of his genius. It is unfortunate that such talent has been cut down this way."

No, what's unfortunate is that such a lout chose to engage with members of organized crime to begin with. And sorry, if a man who punches women and is 'well-loved by the people' for making fat jokes or pointing out other people's flaws, I'd say Japan's got some serious problems as to what humor means. But given this is the nation of Hard Gay and the young homosexual male who sticks hit butt up in the air and points to his anus while giving massages, or making someone famous for just saying "GETS!"... well, that's not really stating anything new.

Government stamping it out, highy unlikely.

The dude should not retire over this, a connection with them is just gossip not a ruling for retirement, there are obviously other reasons for this, someone is blackmailing him most likely

The media have been all over this and I wonder what the big deal is? He ain't Brat Pitt...plus, everybody knows half the people in this country are in bed with the mafia....ridiculous....

More silly solutions that do nothing to address the problem. Well done Japan! Way to raise the bar on doing nothing remotely meaningful for society.

court fined him 300,000 yen for punching and injuring one of his agency's female employees

wow, how did he come back after that one... oh, that's right it's Japan

He'll be back within a year. Probably less. They can't allow six "popular" shows to wither and die. Too much money at stake.

Wasn't super star Frank Sinatra rumored to have Mafia connections back in the day? Didn't seem to hurt his illustrious career any. Just sayin', that's all. I agree with herefornow - it's always about the bottom line most of the time.

If this were the case, then I bet 90% of all the people you see on TV would have to quit/retire?...To include, actors, actressess, sports figures, etc.

Even Japan’s top government spokesman, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano, commented on the case. “It was unavoidable as the government has been strongly promoting efforts to eliminate organized crime,” Edano said.

“Mr Shimada has been loved by the people because of his genius. It is unfortunate that such talent has been cut down this way

LOL -- the "top government spokesperson" now comments on entertainment news. What a country. Who would dare say Japan is s celebrity-obcessed/superficial society?

No matter what it took I am just glad he is off the air, he was to me an arrogant plick. I recall hearing that Shimada was both the best liked and most hated personality on TV. Unfortunately some other idiot is going to eventually take his place.

Of course he will be back! I think it will take a year, then there will be a NTV or Fuji TV special about him and then he will have a tearful press conference and then he will slowly come back!

I didn't feel the shock at all. In fact when I saw him on TV announcing his retirement. I was actually pleased .BTW He is arrogant in many ways.

I am sure there is much more to this news than we get here on JT or on any other Japanese news source. Yoshimoto Kogyo does not need problems from the yakuza but they are everywhere so, it is not an easy situation for the Japanese entertainment industry, plus something has to be done about these idiot right wingers, just because they are WORSE than the yakuza!

Shimada has admitted he had known the unnamed gangster since being saved from unspecified “personal trouble” more than 10 years ago.

If the police are really determined to stamp them out, then why are gangsters entitled to hide behind the facade of anonymity, while other members of society are not accorded such differential treatment?

If the police are really determined to stamp them out, then why are gangsters entitled to hide behind the facade of anonymity, while other members of society are not accorded such differential treatment?

Because the police and media are afraid of getting whacked.

papasmurf, LOL!! Although your comment is funny, You're probably right!

“Mr Shimada has been loved by the people because of his genius

Oh, spare me the crap about the "tortured genius", Edano. He should never have been allowed on TV after assaulting - and spitting - on a woman. It is a sad indictment on the TV industry here - and the viewers mind you - that being associated with yakuza is considered a career-ending offence whereas bashing and spitting on a woman is pardonable. The only shock is why so many people wanted to watch a dirty, misogynist criminal on TV 6 times a week.

Agree with comments here, how is beating a woman and splitting on her not grounds for retirement but a yakuza friend a massive bowfest and retirement?

Shimada's exit comes amid gov't drive to stamp out organized crime

'cus there's already enough of that in the gov't, no?

These exchanges indicated a certain amount of closeness between them,” said Yoshimoto Kogyo Co.

LOL, Yoshimoto Kogyo itself is an eip center of problem..

“...the government has been strongly promoting efforts to eliminate organized crime,” Edano said.

Yeah right how come Japan has a govement still then, if you have been trying to eliminate organised crime.

See ya. You won't be missed.

Small comfort in a tough year.

“Mr Shimada has been loved by the people because of his genius. It is unfortunate that such talent has been cut down this way.

WHAT?! How dare this person say such thing? The japanese people? As in "we"? NO!!! Not me. Count me out. I hate that A-hole Shimada scumbag. I utterly hate him, I'm glad he got fired. Men like him that beats women and get off on mere 300,000 yen? What kind of justice is that? Shameless!!!!

The bloke kicked and beat a female and nobody punched the crap out of him? These slime ball sexists are everywhere in J media, taht is why they love women who dress as school girls, degrade them and hit them. Oure filth!!!!!!