Yamashita Tatsuro made an important report on his radio program, Matsuo responds

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It was the radio report that many people were waiting for. Music legend Yamashita Tatsuro addressing the hot topic on his “Yamashita Tatsuro’s Rakuten Sunday Songbook”.

With the termination of the Smile Music contract of longtime friend and popular music composer/producer Matsuo Kiyoshi, due to his comments on the radio in regards to the sexual abuse allegations in relation to Johnny’s Jimusho and the longtime work collaboration with Smile Company and Johnny’s Jimusho, many wondered what Yamashita would say.

Musician Yamashita Tatsuro appeared on the radio program “Tatsuro Yamashita’s Rakuten Sunday Songbook” (TOKYO FM) on July 9, 2023.

On Matsuo Kiyoshi, Yamashita said:

“This time, Matsuo Kiyoshi, who had a business tie-up with my office, Smile Company, has terminated his contract. I don’t do Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc., so I can’t post on the internet.Therefore, this ‘Sunday Songbook’ is my only transmission base. I would like to ask everyone to listen to my story. First of all, my office and Matsuo were in a business alliance in the form of receiving an advisory fee from him, so there was no employment relationship. However, it is not “dismissal”.There is also an agreement document between lawyers.Regarding the termination of the contract with Matsuo, it was done in the form of entrusting the decision of the president of the office. Matsuo and I have not spoken directly to each other, and I have not urged the president to terminate the contract. I acknowledge that Matsuo’s one-sided criticism based on speculation about Kitagawa Johnny’s sexual assault problem was one of the reasons for the termination of the contract. However, that is by no means the only reason. There are many other reasons.I would like to refrain from mentioning that on this occasion today.The biggest concern of the internet and weekly magazines is me. However, it is an unfounded speculation that there is a prejudice against Johnny’s office, and this one case is also based on it. False information will spread more and more, so I feel the need to speak honestly and frankly about what I think”.

It’s important to note: Smile Company’s President wrote on Twitter on the 5th saying, “Right after the contract ended, Mr. Matsuo tweeted the name of Yamashita Tatsuro, who belongs to our company. However, in light of Matsuo’s behavior both inside and outside the company, I, as the representative of our company, decided to terminate the contract by agreement after consultation with Mr. Matsuo. That is what happened”.

As for Johnny’s sexual assault:

“I will not be concerned about the issue of sexual assault, which is currently a hot topic, until this series of reports begins. It was only a vague rumor, and I myself had not even heard of the 1999 trial. At the time, I was also working for Johnny’s, my business partner, but he, who is also the manager, never told me, who is “1 talent”, such an internal situation. If sexual assault really did occur, it would of course be unforgivable, and considering the suffering of the victims, I believe that it is essential to have a fact-finding investigation by a third-party committee. But since I don’t know anything about it, I can’t comment. I am just a “single composer/song provider”. Johnny & Associates also has a wide range of other businesses and human resources, such as dance, theater, film, and television. There is absolutely no way for me to know about the fact of “sexual assault. When I was a junior high school student in the 1960s, I came across the first Johnny’s songs and learned about the existence of Kitagawa Johnny. At the end of the 1970s, Johnny-san, who happened to hear my music, complimented me on it. Since my partner became the director of Kondo Masahiko, the work “High Teen Boogie” was born. After that, while providing songs to Johnny’s, I met many excellent talents, and I myself was also the director of the work. Thanks to being able to see a lot of Johnny’s live performances, I was able to meet KinKi Kids, and from there I created a work called “Garasu no Shounen”. I was able to write and my bond with them continues until last year’s ‘Amazing Love’.” The bond with them continues all the way until Love”.

“Since performing arts are ‘created by humans,’ communication between humans is essential. No matter what industry, company, or organization, that will not change. ‘Dense’ between humans. If you can’t build a good relationship, you won’t be able to create a good work. My respect for Johnny’s achievements, which produced many such talented talents, has not changed. In my life, The most important things are ‘relationships’ and ‘indebtedness’. The many talents that Johnny-san nurtured warmed the hearts of many people in post-war Japan, made them happy, and gave them dreams. For me, I was given the opportunity to create a work that transcends the times and can be sung for a long time by receiving the “connection” with wonderful talents and musicians. I am deeply indebted to him for that. As an individual and as a musician, I will not forget my gratitude to Johnny, recognize his talent as a producer. There is no sin in the work, and the talent is the same. I repeat, I am not advocating sexual assault. As someone who has seen the dedication and dedication of idols up close, I just want to treat them with respect. So, honestly, it’s a pity that, for example, the wonderful group ‘SMAP’ has disbanded, and recently ‘Kinpuri’ has split up. Why?’ I wonder, I don’t know anything, but it’s very unfortunate. Hopefully, I’m not the only one who wants everyone to get along well and continue to do great activities. “KinKi Kids”, “Arashi”, and all the other groups, I just want them to continue their activities for a long time to come. The other day, there was the happy news of the reunion of ‘Otokogumi’, but in the same way, ‘SMAP’, ‘Arashi’, and ‘Kinpuri’ will be reunited someday in the near future. Even now, when various accusations of sexual abuse and reports are flying around, my feelings toward their music activities have not changed. In my 48 years as a musician, in order to repay the ‘thank you’ that I have received, I will continue to support the talents from the standpoint of a ‘musician’. I have always believed that it is my duty to create things together.This kind of attitude is interpreted as ‘conjecture’ or ‘being wrapped up in something long’. If that’s the case, I don’t mind. I’m sure those people don’t need my music. That’s all I have to say about this incident. I apologize for taking so long. Thank you for your continued support. If it is interpreted the wrong way, that is fine. I’m sure those people don’t need my music. This is my report on this matter. I’m deeply sorry. Thank you for your continued support”.

Immediately after Yamashita made his comments, Matsuo tweeted, “That’s a shame. A Sunday that’s not mellow”.

Needless to say, the comments were split on social media for those who support Yamashita’s comments and those who didn’t.

Media personality David Spector wrote:

Matsuo Kiyoshi vs Yamashita Tatsuro is more complicated than Elon Musk vs Zuckerberg

Matsuo responded:

“I’m not hostile to Tatsuro-san! Let’s work together to create a society where, when children, unfortunately became victims of sexual crimes and sexual violence against a charismatic musician who has tremendous influence, that they won’t give up saying, “It’s no use raising your voice”.

 

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