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The vice president of Sun Music, the former agency of Noriko Sakai, seems to have ruffled the feathers of some of its staff and artists.
The incident started from a letter personally sent in late October by Masahisa Aizawa to all artists and entertainers that the agency represents. The letter was written in reference to the Sakai drug case, apologizing for inconveniences caused, followed by words admonishing the use of illegal drugs and consequences that may befall the individual as well as family members and the agency.
The letter was sent in ordinary envelopes, not Sun Music’s official stationery. The intention was to pacify some of the agency’s artists who complained about the special treatment Sakai was receiving.
A Sun Music source explained, “To express his concerns about the dangers and consequences of drug use is understandable, but he’s been far too generous to Sakai, bearing the costs for the press conference that was held after she was released on bail, in addition to shouldering part of the 500 million yen penalty for breach of contract. The artists are upset because they feel the money they worked hard to earn is being used for making those payments… and Aizawa is responsible for failing to supervise Sakai appropriately. The letter is too phony.”
The agency admitted that Aizawa stood as a witness during Sakai’s trial to plea for leniency and introduced her to the college she is currently attending, but added that it was Aizawa’s personal affair. Sun Music claims that it was not involved in any way, financially or otherwise, and has no intention of doing anything further for Sakai.
© Japan Today
16 Comments
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usaexpat
Sounds like sour grapes from smaller names who were hoping that Sakai's fall would be a boost for their careers.
LFRAgain
Oh, please. More than half of the artists on Sun Music's label are likely involved in something similarly sordid and controversial. They just haven't gotten caught yet. These "objections" are a joke.
bicultural
More than half? Really
minello7
The artists are upset because they feel the money they worked hard to earn is being used for making those payments…???????????? Their money ? I thought artist got paid for their work,and the agencies are free to do what they like with their profits. Without the agencies they wouldn't get any work,now would they?
S7ro9kGm3aQ
Ach, who gives a monkeys about all of these morally bankrupt buffoons. Their industry, and the news which feeds from its disgusting trough, is nothing but balderdash and hogwash.
5SpeedRacer5
"Ach, who gives a monkeys about all of these morally bankrupt buffoons. Their industry, and the news which feeds from its disgusting trough, is nothing but balderdash and hogwash."
You had me at buffoons.
S7ro9kGm3aQ
Thanking you kindly, bold sir.
nightvision
Well, Sun Music wouldn't be what it is if not for Sakai.
Aizawa is just returning the millions, er, favor.
numbskull
If the little unknowns are not using drugs, they might want to contemplate why they are still little unknowns.
I am sure I can name two great artists known to have used drugs for every great artist you can name who hasn't. And that would be off the top of my head. If I can research it, I think the number would be considerably more.
Molenir
Wait. Didn't Sun drop Sakai after she was arrested? So, the reason she was in breech of contract was at least partially because of them. Or did I make a mistake here? That was one of the allegations, that they helped shoulder the cost of her breech of contract penalty. But if it was due to them as well, it would make sense they paid part of the penalty. Maybe I'm just misremembering things though.
Lowly
minello- This is a good example of corporatist Japan, meaning not a corporation, but a body, a unit composed of smaller units. The other workers/entertainers feel as though members of the group, and therefore have some say to how the group makes decisions or the direction of the group, co-ownership etc.
NuckinFutz
or maybe they did what they did to keep her from spilling the beans about rampant drug use in the agency and the music business as a whole? Without an agency 99% of these "artists" would be showcasing their lack of talent on a streetcorner somewhere.
tkoind2
If these so called "Talento" would spend more time trying to actually do something worthy of being called talent, and less time being ruffled, then maybe the entertainment industry here would be a lot better.
gogogo
Drama offscreen as well, it's all yakuza run so who really cares.
Canukle
Failed to supervise her properly?? Isn`t she an adult? That phrase sounds way to creepy to me.
mtimjones
It's called a "handler." Creepy, yes, uncommon, no...