This article from Smart FLASH paints a vivid and complex picture of the fallout from a high-profile affair involving actor Tanaka and its wide-reaching consequences in Japan’s entertainment industry.
Here are the key takeaways:
The Aftermath of the Affair:
Two months after the scandal, Tanaka and the woman involved appear to be moving forward, with her reportedly eyeing a comeback in a Netflix drama described as “super luxurious.”
Meanwhile, Tanaka is facing serious professional backlash, particularly in the film industry.
Career Impact and Industry Fallout:
Tanaka was cast in an important supporting role in a Toei suspense film directed by Jotei Hideo, known for Bad Summer.
Filming was set to begin on June 10, but Tanaka abruptly requested to leave his agency following the scandal, which disrupted the production.
The heroine of the film is a young actress with a history of agency troubles, and Tanaka’s departure caused chaos on set, as his role was pivotal and scheduled for final credit.
Emergency Replacement:
Actor Hiroki Narimiya, who made his return to acting in March 2025 via ABEMA’s Love Me to Death, stepped in to replace Tanaka.
Narimiya shares a strong professional relationship with director Joji (Jotei Hideo), which helped smooth over the transition.
Industry Reactions and Reputation Damage:
Insiders are reportedly furious at Tanaka, with one source saying, “Stop messing around.” The sentiment is that while drunken antics might be forgivable, a scandal is not.
Tanaka may now be unofficially blacklisted, with sources saying he “won’t be nominated” for new projects anytime soon.
Theater Career at Risk:
Tanaka was known to be a dependable ticket-seller in the theater scene, often able to sell 10,000+ tickets even for smaller productions.
But the scandal may have reduced his draw by up to 40%, echoing the historical case of Bando Mitsugoro.
As one theater insider bluntly put it: “If only 6,000 tickets will sell, there’s no reason to use Tanaka anymore.”
The Bigger Picture:
Tanaka’s future in acting now hinges on his ability to sell tickets and recover audience trust.
Both he and the woman involved in the scandal are walking what the article calls a “thorny path”, facing the high cost of their “forbidden love.”
