SMAP member Kusanagi Tsuyoshi (34) yesterday returned to work for the first time since his arrest for public indecency last month. He and the other four group members recorded an episode of the Fuji TV variety show “SMAPxSMAP,” which will be aired June 1, and Kusanagi recorded a narration for today’s edition of the music show “Bokura no Ongaku.” This afternoon he returned to his regular slot on the live variety show “Waratte Iitomo.” Wearing a somber black suit, he apologized to the host, comedian Tamori, the other regulars and the studio audience. After the show he gave a brief press conference where he again repeated his apologies and expressed thanks to everyone who supported him over the last few weeks. The speed of Kusanagi’s return to work after such a big scandal is an indication of his commercial value, and he will appearing in his various commercial roles once again from next month.
Earlier stories:
Butt Naked SMAP Star Arrested For Indecency (Apr 23, 2009)
Kusanagi’s Arrest to Cost Billions (Apr 24, 2009)
Kusanagi Tsuyoshi Gives Press Conference (Apr 25, 2009)
Kusanagi Tsuyoshi Returns (May 14, 2009)
• Love, and possibly marriage, is in the air for popular model and talento Ebihara Yuri (29), according to today’s issue of weekly magazine “Friday.” The magazine published photos of her on a date with Ilmari (33) of the hip hop group Rip Slyme. Not only were they visiting the famous Aoshima Jinja shrine in her home prefecture of Miyazaki, known for its powers of bringing people together, but they were accompanied by Ebihara’s family.