BUMP OF CHICKEN bassist Naoi Yoshifumi writes a long apology letter to fans

Last September, BUMP OF CHICKEN bassist Naoi Yoshifumi (40) announced he will be suspending activities due to the affair scandal which has rocked the popular band.

BUMP OF CHICKEN continued activities with its three members (Fujiwara Motoo, Masukawa Hiroaki, Masu Hideo) for now.

Bunshun Online reported that Naoi had been married and had an affair with a woman in the past. According to the article, Naoi had a wife and children but was having an affair with other women.

Bassist Naoi will return with the band and appear on 6/7 (Monday) 03:00-PONTSUKA !!.

Naoi released the following statement:

It was reported in September of last year that my careless behavior caused a great deal of inconvenience to listeners, members, staff, and other related parties. I would like to apologize. I am very sorry.
And I’m really sorry for the person who was hurt because I couldn’t deal with them sincerely at that time, and my family.

At the beginning of the press, I couldn’t face the facts because of my immaturity and weakness, so I was spending time alone. I was so busy with myself that my field of vision had narrowed and I couldn’t notice various things.

It’s an embarrassing situation, but I’m so exhausted that I couldn’t meet not only the staff but also the members I’ve been friends with for over 30 years. I don’t think I’m qualified to be depressed or exhausted because it’s something I’ve done, but I couldn’t move because of the feeling that I didn’t know what to do and had various thoughts.

However, I thought that this should not be the case, so I started by asking to meet the members who continued to talk to me patiently.

At this point, two months had passed since the press.

Again, I talked a lot while making a lot of mistakes and also making communication mistakes with the members, and take a look at myself little by little.

I am deeply grateful that I was able to face myself even in such a situation and in such a state.
This is a mistake I carry for the rest of my life, but it was a treasure that I realized again.

It was around this time that I started to face the voices of listeners little by little.
I read everything as much as possible little by little.

What happened this time as I saw the opinions of people who could not listen to our music like before due my actions and people who could not listen to music with a fresh feeling. I felt that I would never be forgiven, and I still think so.

I regret that I was sad, that I caused such a situation, that I carried extra luggage on the music, that I made listeners feel this sad, and that I was the person responsible. There are various feelings, such as being angry and feeling angry. At that time, the feeling of writing “disappointed” was that kind of feeling, but when I look back on it now, I think it was a sentence that looked like a childish tantrum.  I’m really sorry, I was that kind of person.

Starting from this point of being truly aware of what you have done, taking actions to restore my body, talking with family and friends, and not cherishing what kind of person which I was. I repeated the days of asking myself what I shouldn’t do.

Before I knew it, I think I had forgotten to think about such things in the days I had taken for granted.
I think I really know what’s important now, though it’s still new.

Meanwhile, a new song was released that was recorded with Fuji-kun worked hard playing the bass without including other bassists.

I am sorry.

Why am I not here? Instead of supporting the members who should be supported, I was an annoyance and having the three work together. I’m full of regrets.  At the same time, I became more motivated to return to that seat as soon as possible, and want to return.

Of course, some of you may not want to see me anymore.

However, in the days of looking at myself, I once again felt that I had only music.

I’m sorry that it took so long, but nine months after the press, I think I’ve finally found my own reflection, answer, and preparedness for everyone, so I’m here now. My body is gradually returning.

Finally, I have come to the point where I apologize in my own words and voice.

If it comes true, I really wanted to live as a person carrying the BUMP OF CHICKEN name.

What is important to me is the members of BUMP OF CHICKEN and the music. That was the answer I gave in my days of thinking of the end for me, whether I could stay in this band or qualify for it, despite causing a lot of trouble.

I had intended to do my best in my own way, but I lost sight of something important and made a mistake. However, in the future, I would like to spend my life as a bassist of BUMP OF CHICKEN, protecting the music of BUMP OF CHICKEN and move forward.

Please give me a chance to continue my efforts to clean the name that I have soiled.

Please give me a chance to continue my efforts to repair the scratches on the name that I have damaged.

During the period of self-restraint from this activity, I was reminded of my actions at that time, which was reported in the press.

Looking back, I think there were some areas where I was an immature and weak person, and I wasn’t fully aware of myself as a member of BUMP OF CHICKEN.

I honestly don’t know if I can regain your trust.

Even if I can’t get it back for a long time,  I would like to face myself, the members, and the listeners, and deliver the songs in good faith as a member of the band.  It may be still immature, but I would like to convey my thoughts to the listeners little by little through that new attitude.

One day, when people who had left the music of BUMP OF CHICKEN because of me would come back, I wanted to be the bassist of BUMP OF CHICKEN.

I would like to continue my efforts so that as many people as possible can forgive me.

I’m really sorry.

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