Another TV announcer caught in scandal; this time no action taken
Another week goes by, another figure in the public eye in Japan is caught doing something they shouldn’t. And this story offers a nice juxtaposition to the story about Mona Yamamoto a couple of weeks ago. This time we have Fuji TV Kazuhiro Watanabe, one of the announcers on Mezamashi TV (a daily morning TV show which isn’t really worth saying any more about as it rarely covers the news stories that should be on the front pages, and reports the more fluffy stories of the day… kind of like a Japanese GMTV!). Anyway, it was reported in the Shukan Asahi (a weekly magazine) that Watanabe had been physically involved with a woman who was not his wife.
The Fuji TV damage control people were quickly mobilized and came out defending him, saying that he would not be withdrawing from any of his TV appearances. Watanabe also came out and made a statement saying that, “A magazine today published details about me concerning a very private matter. I apologize for causing trouble and I hope that I can regain the trust of viewers.” Note that he has not made any comment about the alleged scandal and whether it is true or not. He apologised for “causing trouble” and not for anything he may have done, losing the trust of his wife etc. I am surprised that the word “regrettable” wasn’t used but the way this scandal has been seen in Japan is amusing, especially when you look at it in context to Mona’s encounter with Yomiuri Giants player, Tomohiro Nioka. Mona was removed (well, the reports said she withdrew but it was probably a case of jump or be pushed) from her TV engagements and her co-presenter made a formal announcement on the show, showing the shame she had brought onto the show. Maybe, like Nioka, Watanabe is seen as an important person in the announcing team and so he will be let off from any scandals he is involved in. Who knows, maybe he’ll get his wife making a press announcement, apologizing for the trouble that has been caused!
Mona Yamamoto remains on temporary leave from TBS.
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