Photo: Tonio Vega · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Born in Japan · Nationality Japanese — Culture / media / celebrities

Hitoshi Matsumoto

Documented profile covering 5 controversies, including “Sexual assault allegations published by Shukan Bunshun, denied by Matsumoto, followed by withdrawal of defamation lawsuit” and “Sexualised remark to Rino Sashihara during televised discussion of NGT48 affair”.

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Profile No. 0321 · Updated on 12 October 2026

5Documented controversies

12Sources

0Formal charge · all time

0Conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

2023-12 – 2024-11

Sexual assault allegations published by Shukan Bunshun, denied by Matsumoto, followed by withdrawal of defamation lawsuit

Allegations

Shukan Bunshun published accounts by women alleging sexual assault or coercion at private gatherings. Matsumoto denied the accusations and sued publisher Bungeishunju for defamation. In November 2024, he withdrew the case. The parties stated that no money had changed hands in connection with the withdrawal, and Matsumoto said he would apologise if participants had felt offended or hurt.

Sources · 4

[1]
The Japan TimesComedian Hitoshi Matsumoto to withdraw Bungeishunju lawsuitMediaHigh reliability
[2]
The Japan TimesComedian Hitoshi Matsumoto sues publisher over sexual assault allegationsMediaHigh reliability
[3]
Kyodo NewsJapanese comedian drops suit vs publisher over sex scandal reportNews agencyHigh reliability
[4]
Yoshimoto Kogyo松本人志活動休止のお知らせStatementHigh reliability

Last verified: 22 August 2026

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2020-04 – 2020-05

Criticism following remarks about public compensation for hostess club workers during COVID-19

No legal proceedings

Early in the pandemic, Matsumoto said he was reluctant for his taxes to fund compensation for certain hostess club and nightlife workers. The remark was criticised as stigmatising and sexist amid a broader debate over access to public assistance.

State of the evidence: Documented
Legal status — source text: No legal proceedings

Sources · 2

[1]
The Japan TimesCoronavirus exposes stigma facing Japan's adult entertainment industryMediaHigh reliability
[2]
Sponichi Annex松本人志、休業補償めぐる発言MediaMedium reliability

Last verified: 22 August 2026

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2020-07

Openly abstaining from Tokyo governor election and controversy over civic responsibility

No legal proceedings

Matsumoto explained that he had not voted in the 2020 Tokyo gubernatorial election, saying he had eliminated candidates one by one without being able to make a choice. The statement prompted criticism of the civic message sent by such an influential public figure.

State of the evidence: Documented
Legal status — source text: No legal proceedings

Sources · 2

[1]
Sponichi Annex松本人志、都知事選「選挙を消去した」MediaMedium reliability
[2]
Asahi Ronza松本人志の都知事選棄権発言をどう考えるかPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 22 August 2026

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2019-01

Sexualised remark to Rino Sashihara during televised discussion of NGT48 affair

No legal proceedings

During a televised discussion of NGT48's handling of the assault suffered by Maho Yamaguchi, Matsumoto made a sexually suggestive remark to Rino Sashihara. The exchange prompted criticism that he was trivialising harassment or adding a sexist remark to an already sensitive case.

State of the evidence: Documented
Legal status — source text: No legal proceedings

Sources · 1

[1]
Daily Sports指原莉乃、松本人志からのセクハラ発言に対応MediaMedium reliability

Last verified: 22 August 2026

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2019-06

Controversy after describing some perpetrators of atrocious crimes as "defective products"

No legal proceedings

Following the deadly Kawasaki attack, Matsumoto used the expression "defective product" on television to describe perpetrators of atrocious crimes. The wording prompted debate about its dehumanising, discriminatory or eugenic implications.

State of the evidence: Documented
Legal status — source text: No legal proceedings

Sources · 3

[1]
Nikkan Sports松本人志「不良品」発言に賛否MediaMedium reliability
[2]
Nikkan Sportsフジ社長、松本人志の「不良品」発言に見解MediaMedium reliability
[3]
Daily Sports松本人志「不良品」発言を説明MediaMedium reliability

Last verified: 22 August 2026

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II. Constellation of documented links

No documented link with another published profile for now.

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

III. Has something changed?

A new court decision, a missing source, a mistake? Tell us what should be updated: every request is read by the editorial team.