Comedian Hitoshi Matsumoto to withdraw Bungeishunju defamation suit

Popular comedian Hitoshi Matsumoto has decided to withdraw his lawsuit against publisher Bungeishunju over an article alleging that the comedian committed sexual assaults, according to relevant parties of the lawsuit.
The lawsuit was filed in response to an article by Shukan Bunshun, a weekly magazine owned by Bungeishunju. It sought ¥550 million ($3.6 million) in damages and a correction article from the magazine.

The original article, published online and in the physical magazine in late December 2023, detailed sexual assault allegations made by two women, who claimed they were forced to engage in sexual acts with Matsumoto at private parties hosted at luxury hotels in 2015.
“After confirming that there is no direct material evidence indicating the existence of coercion, I have decided to withdraw the lawsuit, as I want to avoid causing a further burden and inconvenience to many people by continuing the legal proceedings,” Matsumoto said in a statement released by his agency, Yoshimoto Kogyo, that was reported by Sponichi.
“If there were any women who felt uncomfortable or hurt, I sincerely apologize.”
Regarding Matsumoto’s return to work, his agency said they would discuss the matter with relevant parties and announce a decision as soon as one is finalized.
Since early January, Matsumoto, who is a member of the comedy duo Downtown, has suspended all of his professional activities to focus on the lawsuit, affecting several TV shows on which he appears regularly.