Another month, another celebrity controversy in Japan. This time, however, the commotion over J-pop producer Tetsuya Komuro＊s alleged affair and subsequent retirement might mark the moment that netizens rejected the country＊s obsession with scandals. It also allowed those who might fall under the media spotlight a chance to fight back.
On Jan. 17, weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun reported that Komuro had been involved in an affair with a nurse from a clinic the producer consulted to receive garlic injections, a vitamin-based treatment used to recover from exhaustion. Komuro, one of the country＊s most prolific pop artists and producers, has been married to Keiko, lead singer of the band Globe (of which Komuro is also a member), since 2002. Keiko suffered a stroke in 2011, and Komuro has been caring for her ever since.
Two days later, Komuro convened a press conference during which he announced his intention to retire from the industry following the report.
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