Otaku Culture

They punish an idol for having a boyfriend

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On July 27th, the idol group's management KATACOTO * BANK announced via Twitter sanctions imposed on group member Momoka Tojo after she accidentally posted a photo with her boyfriend. The incident occurred on July 26, when 20-year-old Tojo shared a picture showing a birthday celebration with his partner. The act quickly spread across the internet and sparked heated debate about the expectations and restrictions placed on idols in Japan.

The administration revealed that the man in the photograph is Tojo's “civil boyfriend” and that, after consultation with her, it was decided to impose several disciplinary measures. The sanctions included the obligation to maintain a certain distance from your partner and post a daily night photo titled “good night alone” for a year. The administration also asked fans to report any suspicions that her boyfriend was present in the photos.

  • Momoka Tojo's first "good night solo" photograph, as one of the sanctions imposed by her agency. Tojo will have to do this daily for a year if he wants to remain in the group.

The reaction from the online community has been one of outrage and bewilderment. Many consider the sanctions excessive and reflect a deeper problem within idol culture. Comments such as “Idol culture is so broken it's beyond my comprehension” and “It's like a 1984 level of control”highlight concerns about the degree of control agencies exert over idols’ personal lives. Some users even They suggested that the restrictions imposed were a “nightmare” and expressed concern about possible abuses behind closed doors..

Tojo, who joined KATACOTO*BANK in June 2024, issued a public apology on his Twitter account, expressing his regret for any inconvenience caused to the group's fans and team. He promised to work hard to regain the trust of his fans and contribute positively to the group in the future.

The case once again highlighted the strict regulation of idols' personal lives in Japan. and sparked debate about the need for stricter human rights oversight in the entertainment industry. Tojo's situation is seen as an extreme example of the unrealistic expectations and restrictions that idols face, not only in Japan, but also in other parts of Asia such as South Korea.

This controversy has also led some to reflect on the degree of control exercised over other public figures, such as news anchors and voice actorshighlighting the widespread influence of these practices on the entertainment industry as a whole.

Source: reddit