Ae! Group Member Suspended Following Arrest

Starto Entertainment announced on Saturday that it has suspended the activities of Keita Richard Kusama, a member of the boy band Ae! Group, after his arrest the same day.

According to reports, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police arrested Kusama on suspicion of indecent exposure.

The suspension has had immediate knock on effects for his upcoming work. Kusama had been slated to star alongside his fellow group members in the second live action Mr. Osomatsu film, which is scheduled to open in Japan on January 9.

Other appearances were affected too. The streaming service TVer paused one of the group’s programs, while the broadcaster NTV adjusted an episode of a variety show in which Kusama had been set to appear.

Ae! Group was founded in 2019 under the talent agency formerly known as Johnny Associates.

My take: These situations are always difficult, with real consequences for the projects and colleagues involved. I will simply note the news here and leave any judgments to the process that follows.