30th place: Maya Kobayashi – Announcer
Maya Kobayashi, a former announcer and television personality, drew widespread attention for her unusual behavior and confessional videos on YouTube. She first gained public recognition alongside her younger sister, Mao Kobayashi, who married kabuki actor Ebizo Ichikawa. Maya was a Thursday regular on the morning news program Gutto Luck! until she abruptly left in November 2020. Soon after, she opened her own YouTube channel and caused a stir with a video in which she laughed loudly—“Hahaha!”—and spoke about being bullied by program staff.
Not long after, her talent agency announced the termination of her contract, citing that “normal management is not possible.” One possible factor behind her increasingly erratic conduct is believed to be her husband, Kunimitsu Gin, who is four years her junior and whom she wed in 2018 after no period of courtship. At the time, media described him as an ordinary person known as “Mr. A,” but it later emerged that he was a chiropractor and practitioner of “cosmic yoga,” a form of yoga intended to channel universal energy for healing. After marrying him, Maya was reported in weekly magazines to have displayed increasingly bizarre behavior, such as shouting at staff in a deep, masculine voice. This fueled speculation that she had been “brainwashed by her husband” and was in a dynamic likened to that of a spiritual guru and follower.
29th place: Yukina Kinoshita – TV Personality
Yukina Kinoshita, a celebrity who rose to fame through the variety show Hexagon, became embroiled in controversy in November 2019 after sending a threatening Instagram message to a tapioca shop where her sister worked. The post was deemed inappropriate, leading to her withdrawal from the entertainment industry.
Just a month later, she divorced her husband, comedian Toshifumi Fujimoto. In 2020, rumors surfaced of an alleged affair with soccer player Takashi Inui. Posts they shared online, when read vertically, resembled love letters, sparking public speculation.
Although she announced a comeback on July 1, 2020, she abruptly retired again just six days later. In October 2021, the court ordered her to pay 400,000 yen over the tapioca shop incident. Then, in 2022, she revealed via YouTube that she has ADHD, which may partly explain some of her erratic actions.
In 2023, she made her first TV appearance in years on the variety show Zenryoku! Datsuryoku Times, but has since remained largely out of the public eye. In January 2025, she shared an Instagram photo with her boyfriend, Hidetoshi Miyuki (face not shown), with whom she has been in a relationship since 2023. However, the post drew negative comments online, with some criticizing her relationship by saying, “Even though she has a daughter…,” and overall public opinion remained unfavorable.
28th place: Anri Sakaguchi – TV Personality
Anri Sakaguchi, the daughter of actress Ryoko Sakaguchi, is a former TV personality who debuted in 2008 but gradually began showing erratic behavior. In 2016, she left her agency and the same year transitioned into the adult entertainment industry. In 2017, she was arrested on suspicion of attempted extortion, and in 2019, while working as a hostess, she was arrested again for breaking into the home of her then-boyfriend—who happened to be the same person involved in her earlier extortion case.
She married him in June 2022 but divorced the following year. During their marriage, she suffered a seizure and was hospitalized, which drew public attention. In the years that followed, she repeatedly stepped away from and returned to entertainment work. On December 31, 2024, she declared, “I have decided that this is the end of my life as Anri Sakaguchi,” and from 2025 onward, she has been living as a private citizen.
Her instability is often linked to her childhood. When she was young, her mother divorced and was left with a massive 4-billion-yen debt from her ex-husband. To pay it off, Ryoko Sakaguchi worked tirelessly, leaving little time for family. She passed away in 2013, and Anri’s strong dependence on her mother is believed to have contributed to her unusual sense of personal boundaries.
27th place: Jun Togawa – Artist
Jun Togawa, a vocalist who debuted in 1982 with the music unit Guernica, gained renewed recognition in 2021 when her 1984 solo track Suki Suki Daisuki went viral on TikTok, introducing her music to a younger generation. However, her career also faced darker moments. In November 1995, she attempted self harm with a razor. The incident was reportedly linked to mental health struggles brought on by industry conflicts, such as disagreements with her agency, financial disputes, and the unauthorized sale of her live performance footage.
At the time, she even expressed her feelings by writing the words ‘I hate everyone’ in a dramatic way. Since the wound did not reach her carotid artery, some speculated the attempt might have been staged. After a three-year hiatus, she returned to performing but avoided television and radio appearances. Her already complex public image became even more difficult for the media to navigate after her sister, Kyoko, passed on after committing self harm acts in 1999. Although she continued holding live concerts, her appearances in mainstream media gradually declined.
Despite this, her artistry has been widely praised. Noko, from the band Shinsei Kamattechan—popular among younger audiences in the 2010s—once said her music had saved him. In 2017, Togawa marked her 35th anniversary in the entertainment world and appeared on television for the first time in 22 years. More recently, she launched a YouTube channel, once again drawing public attention
26th place: House Kagaya – Comedian
House Kagaya is the comedian half of the duo Matsumoto House, which was formed in 1991 and gained popularity through shows like Denpa Shounen and numerous variety programs. However, House Kagaya had struggled with mental illness since his junior high school days while preparing for entrance exams. During high school, he experienced symptoms like auditory hallucinations and even lived in a group home for a period. Despite this, he never disclosed his medical history to his agency, Okawa Kogyo.
His demanding schedule eventually worsened his schizophrenia. One day, while traveling on a train with Okawa Kogyo’s president, he collapsed on the platform, scattering a large amount of psychotropic medication, which led to the discovery of his condition. Due to his health, House Kagaya retired from entertainment in 1999, leaving his partner Matsumoto Kick to continue solo.
After spending seven months hospitalized and ten years recovering at home, Matsumoto House rebranded as "JINRUI" and resumed activities in 2009. In 2013, House Kagaya published Schizophrenia Has Arrived and has since been active not only in comedy but also in giving lectures to raise awareness about schizophrenia.
25th place: Mari Okamoto – Comedian
Mari Okamoto is a comedian who rose to fame for her impersonations of Ryoko Hirosue. She married music producer Nao in April 2015 and welcomed their first child in August that year, living what seemed to be a happy and stable life. However, misunderstandings in the marriage led to sudden weight loss and a decline in both her physical and mental health, prompting her to seek counseling. In March 2018, she announced her retirement from entertainment and divorced Nao. The following month, she was seen crying near Ebisu Station, fueling speculation about her mental health struggles.
After spending about three months hospitalized in a psychiatric ward, she returned to showbiz in 2020. In 2023, she remarried Yogi Daisuke, a member of Saitama Prefecture’s Shiki City Council. Despite this, her mental health issues persisted. In June 2024, she posted on X about founding a fictional religious group called “MariMari Religion,” intended to serve as a guardian spirit for her beloved son, though reactions on social media were mixed.
Her condition worsened in July 2024 after she stopped taking birth control pills she had used for years. By October, she and her husband divorced but entered into a civil partnership. Since then, her ex-husband has been involved in legal disputes over matters like name transfers and insurance payments. Mari has a new boyfriend, but many people criticize her perceived lack of discipline.
24th place: Daisuke Muramoto – Comedian
Daisuke Muramoto is the comedian half of the duo Woman Rush Hour. He has faced criticism for his erratic behavior, including breaking up the duo more than ten times and hitting on fans, which has led to a decline in his TV appearances. In 2023, he sparked controversy by tweeting, “I hope that when an accident occurs, not only the local people but all of Japan will be exposed to radiation.” The media was unsure how to handle the situation, and Muramoto himself worried that his actions might make him appear “crazy.”
By 2024, Muramoto had relocated to the United States. Upon returning to Japan in July, he spoke with self-deprecating humor about his struggles, commenting on how expensive everything is and saying, “I’m disliked even in America.” He regularly performs at comedy clubs in the U.S. On August 6, the anniversary of the Hiroshima nuclear attack, Muramoto posted on X about the ongoing Palestinian conflict. Meanwhile, the duo’s activities remain on hold, and his partner, Nakagawa Paradise, is reportedly struggling to get by on a monthly income of only 30,000 yen.
23rd place: Mero Imai – Snowboarder
Mero Imai is a snowboarder who competed in the Turin Olympics. Before the Games, she gained attention for performing a rap song she wrote herself called "Yume," which received mixed reactions. Unfortunately, she fell during the competition and was eliminated in the preliminaries. At 18, she withdrew from public life, living an unstable existence marked by multiple self harm attempts and plastic surgeries. In her 2012 autobiography, she revealed she had worked in adult entertainment.
In 2013, she published an indecent photo book, followed by an appearance in an "intimate clothing" DVD in 2014. Although she announced a comeback to snowboarding in March 2017, just two months later she shocked many by transitioning into a career as an adult film actress.
As of 2024, she lives with her son while working part-time as a snowboard instructor and in an office job. By 2020, she had been divorced three times and has three children. Her daughter faced significant behavioral issues at school and was placed in a care facility due to her father’s inability to look after her, while another son remains with her ex-husband.
Imai’s early life involved harsh, nearly abusive training to become a snowboarder, which led to her being placed in a child protection center. These difficult childhood experiences continue to influence her behavior today. Although she no longer participates in entertainment or competitive snowboarding, she may currently be living her most peaceful life.
22nd place: Mari Henmi – Actress and TV Personality
Mari Henmi is a singer who rose to fame in the 1970s. After stepping away from show business, she became involved with a "prayer" group in the late 1980s. Facing financial difficulties, she returned to the entertainment world but struggled, releasing an autobiography and a photo book featuring many revealing images.
She was reportedly brainwashed by a fortune teller who took 500 million yen from her over 13 years. She never recovered the money and suffered significant losses, including becoming estranged from her daughter, entertainer Emily Henmi. Due to these circumstances, the media was reluctant to engage with her, and even after breaking free from the brainwashing, her appearances in dramas and on TV remained rare until she reemerged in a 2007 drama. Her position in the industry remained challenging.
In 2015, she shared the details of her brainwashing experience on the TV program Shikujiri Sensei, which sparked widespread attention and led to more frequent media appearances. Nowadays, she mainly focuses on musicals but was diagnosed with heart disease around the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2024, marking 55 years since her debut, she held a dinner show at La Donna Harajuku in Tokyo. The event was supported by her daughter, Emily Henmi, who also appeared as a guest speaker, helping to gradually mend the rift caused by the fortune teller incident.
21st place: Masami Hisamoto – TV Personality
Masami Hisamoto, also known as "Machami," is a TV personality who was extremely influential in the 1990s, appearing on television almost daily with her distinctive personality. She joined the Soka Gakkai in 1984 and became known as a devoted member, eventually leading the women's division of the organization’s entertainment department. It is rumored that she has alienated several entertainers—including Haruhiko Kato and Teruyoshi Uchimura—after they declined her invitations.
In recent years, however, she has had only three regular TV shows, including Hirunandesu, marking a noticeable drop from her peak popularity. A major reason for her reduced presence is said to be her persistent efforts to recruit for Soka Gakkai, which has caused some celebrities to refuse working with her. Additionally, her comedy, often relying on risqué jokes, struggles to resonate in today’s climate of strict compliance. The passing of Soka Gakkai’s president, Daisaku Ikeda, in 2023 also marked a decline in the organization’s influence within the entertainment world.
Despite this, Masami’s true talent shines on stage rather than on TV. As a founding member of WAHAHA Honpo, the comedy troupe celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2024. That year, she toured nationwide with the group and seemed especially delighted by their performance of Kakuni.
20th place: Atsushi Tsutsumishita – Comedian
Atsushi Tsutsumishita is the straight man in the comedy duo Impulse. He rose to fame in the 2000s alongside partner Toshiyuki Itakura through their appearances on the TV show Haneru no Tobira. However, after the show ended in 2012, Tsutsumishita’s behavior became increasingly erratic. During a live internet broadcast in 2015, he appeared heavily intoxicated. When a viewer mentioned feeling heartbroken, he unexpectedly snapped, shouting, “What’s the matter? Do you want to fight?!” which shocked many watchers.
In June 2017, police found him driving under the influence of anti-allergy medication and sleeping pills, slumped over the wheel. Later that year in October, he caused an accident by rear-ending a garbage truck, injuring two people. Following these incidents, he was suspended from entertainment activities. Even before the suspension, allegations had emerged accusing him of bullying, including claims involving Miyuki Oshima from Moriyama Naka. His reputation took a serious hit due to the accidents and accusations.
Tsutsumishita continued to be involved in traffic accidents, and in June 2022, he had two crashes on the same day. Authorities discovered he had taken sleeping pills while driving and fined him 500,000 yen.
In October 2023, he restarted his entertainment career by launching a cooking-focused YouTube channel that has been well-received. He is set to return to terrestrial TV on Zenryoku! Datsuryoku Times airing April 5, 2024. Still, his popularity hasn’t recovered to his peak level, and his partner has maintained greater visibility, frequently appearing in dramas.
19th place: Chihiro Onitsuka – Artist
Chihiro Onitsuka is an artist known for songs like “Gekkou.” Beginning in 2001, her health declined due to a demanding schedule, and in 2002 she was diagnosed with panic disorder during a live show, forcing her to cancel two tour dates. Her mental health struggles became increasingly evident over time.
In 2004, she surprised fans with the release of Growing Weeds, which marked a dramatic shift in both her music style and appearance.
In 2010, she was seriously injured after being assaulted by an unemployed man she was living with—a story that made headlines. Two years later, she stirred controversy by tweeting, “Ah, I want to hurt Akiko Wada,” which led to her Twitter account being shut down. In 2017, she grabbed attention again by posting a photo of herself with a shaved head.
In 2021, she was arrested for property damage after kicking an ambulance. Though she wasn’t formally charged, this incident highlighted her ongoing erratic behavior. Following these scandals, her television appearances sharply declined.
As of 2024, Chihiro appears calmer and continues to focus on her music. This year, she released digital singles, remastered versions of previous albums, and vinyl box sets. Her mental state seems more stable compared to the turbulent periods of her earlier career.
18th place: Sakura Uehara – TV Personality
Sakura Uehara is a talent managed by Horipro. She married Koji Aoyama, CEO of KRH, in 2010, but by January 2013, reports revealed they were in divorce mediation. During the process, she demanded 500 million yen in compensation but was caught in a scandal after being photographed having an affair. The divorce was finalized without any alimony, and she soon left Horipro. That same year, she fell into depression, was admitted to a psychiatric hospital’s closed ward, and became isolated from the entertainment industry. Though initially unable to go out after her release, she enrolled at Tokai University in 2015 and resumed her entertainment career the following year.
She graduated in 2019 and married an ordinary man in 2020—her third marriage, as she had divorced the president of an apparel manufacturer in 2009. At 43, she gave birth that year and shared her joy on her blog. Despite overcoming these challenges, she has recently struggled with menopausal symptoms. In January 2024, she was hospitalized for four days due to a migraine linked to menopause. She has mentioned feeling well only two or three days a year. Her fragile health is believed to partly stem from her earlier depression. While she has returned to entertainment, it seems unlikely she will regain the level of activity she once had.
17th place: Satoko Okazaki – Talent and Gymnast
Satoko Okazaki competed as a gymnast in the 1976 Olympics at just 15 years old. After retiring due to injury, she transitioned into a TV personality role and helped popularize aerobics. However, between 1995 and 2019, she was arrested 14 times for various stimulant drug offenses—a pattern unfortunately common in the entertainment world.
In 1981, she faced a 10 million yen lawsuit from an ex-boyfriend for breach of contract. Around that time, signs of trouble were evident, including her ex revealing her dark secrets including allegations of drug abuse.
In 1984, she married another man. Before giving birth, she posed unclothed while pregnant—a bold move that sparked controversy for its time. After having two children, she mostly stepped back from show business. Without a clear place in the industry, her first drug-related arrest came in 1995.
Her most recent arrest was in April 2019 for violating the Stimulant Control Act, leading to a prison sentence of three years and four months that year. As of 2024, she has been released but has not appeared publicly, leaving her current status unknown.
16th place: Nagiko Tono – Actor
Nagiko Tono is an actress best known for her roles in the TV drama Suzuran. Since around 2020, her acting opportunities have declined, with her income recently relying mostly on occasional guest spots, as well as her blog and Instagram. While she still appears on TV, it’s far less often than during her peak years. Nagiko has struggled with mental health issues, including a self harm attempt, alcoholism, and an eating disorder. She also tends to fall deeply in love, leading to three marriages and quick divorces—the shortest lasting just two weeks, which shocked the public.
Her mental health challenges stem from childhood trauma caused by her mother, which she detailed in a 2013 autobiography describing years of abuse and neglect. Her mother frequently told her she was ugly, and Nagiko even struggled to look at herself in the mirror. Although she began as a child actress, she also took on the responsibility of caring for her three younger siblings due to her mother’s neglect. This burden contributed to her self harm attempt and eating disorder at age 16.
Despite the common belief that child actors rarely succeed long-term, she has persevered in the entertainment world despite her painful past. In January 2025, she fell ill and was found sitting on the street, but no one offered help. She later wrote on Instagram that “Japan is finished,” suggesting that what she most needs now is genuine human kindness.
15th place: Miwako Fujitani – Actor and Singer
Miwako Fujitani is an actress who gained fame with the 1984 drama Kokoro wa Itsumo Ramune Iro and other TV shows. In 1994, she debuted as a singer, performing the theme song for one of her dramas. Her single, “Ai ga Umareta Hi” (“The Day Love Was Born”), sold 1.32 million copies. However, she was also known for erratic behavior, earning her the nickname “the original mad actress” after abruptly quitting a film in 1986.
Her unusual actions continued, and in 2003, she caused a major stir by taking a taxi to the Sakashita Gate of the Imperial Palace and demanding a police officer open it. Claiming “Princess Nori is my sister, and I want to give her a letter,” she locked herself inside the taxi for over an hour. This incident led the Metropolitan Police Department to add her to their anti-terrorism watch list, with her movements monitored during Imperial Family-related events.
Following the episode, Fujitani disappeared from the entertainment scene for a time. She married stage director Shunichi Okamura in 2005 but reportedly said, “If I don’t get married, I can’t get divorced,” and soon separated from him. After more strange behavior, she retired from showbiz, and her current whereabouts are unknown. A 2012 report claimed she was seen walking the same route daily carrying a garbage bag, but the accuracy of this remains unclear.
14th place: Tomoko Nakajima – Comedian
Tomoko Nakajima is the straight woman of the comedy duo Othello. After falling ill in April 2011, she announced an indefinite break from show business. That July, a weekly magazine revealed she was living with a fortune teller, sparking considerable controversy. Rumors of tension between her and partner Naomi Matsushima had circulated since Matsushima founded her own agency in 2007. In 2009, reports surfaced about Nakajima’s sudden weight gain and emotional outbursts during recordings, signaling early signs of trouble.
She began living with the fortune teller in April 2009 and may have become dependent on her. Following that, Nakajima exhibited erratic behaviors, including taking large amounts of sleeping pills and running away from her parents’ home, leading to psychiatric hospitalization in January 2013. Despite these reports, when she appeared on TV in 2015, she denied being brainwashed, explaining that the fortune teller was simply a friend of a scriptwriter and that her rent arrears were due to boycotting work because of agency conflicts.
Though the full truth remains unclear, in 2017 the weekly magazine lost a lawsuit, and Nakajima’s side was validated. Once thought to have lost her mind and pushed aside, she has since been mainly active in Oita. Since 2021, she has returned to national television, and her appearances have steadily increased.
13th place: Fumika Shimizu – Actor
Fumika Shimizu is an actress who rose to fame playing a classmate of the heroine in the TV drama Mare. In February 2017, she abruptly retired from the entertainment world to devote herself fully to the religious organization "Happy Science," even becoming a nun.
Various factors likely influenced her decision, including her parents’ faith and a reported relationship with Iida Yuma, bassist of the band KANA-BOOM. Her radio show, Shimizu Fumika's Minakiru PM, was canceled, and the media scrambled to replace her roles in dramas and films.
Her choice to become a nun was met with widespread criticism, and the media deliberately avoided using her footage, effectively erasing her from the entertainment scene. After taking vows, she appeared in Happy Science-related movies under the name Yoshiko Sengen.
Yoshiko Sengen took on a leadership role as Director of the Media and Cultural Affairs Bureau and NSP Co., Ltd., earning a monthly salary of 430,000 yen—well above the typical 200,000 yen for a new monk, indicating special treatment. However, following the passing on of Happy Science founder Ryuho Okawa in 2023, her appearances in films sharply declined.
Her Instagram updates ceased in 2022, and as of 2025, her X account mostly reposts old content. Currently, she seems sidelined by both the entertainment world and Happy Science. Whether becoming a nun was the right path for her remains uncertain.
12th place: Ken Watanabe – Comedian
Ken Watanabe is one half of the comedy duo Unjash, performing both as the straight man and the boke. He married Nozomi Sasaki in 2017, but in June 2020, it was revealed he had multiple affairs. One scandalous incident involved him calling a woman to a multipurpose restroom in the basement of Roppongi Hills, where they engaged in intimate acts. Since these restrooms are used by various groups, including the elderly and disabled, this severely damaged Watanabe’s public image.
After the scandal broke, Watanabe took a break from show business. Although he planned to resume activities in 2022, he avoided national TV appearances. In 2023, he made a surprise masked appearance on Fuji TV’s Zenkoku! Datsuryoku Times. Nowadays, his work mainly involves lectures and seminars. Concerned he might have a particular addiction, he sought medical help but he was not diagnosed with anything. Nonetheless, many still view his behavior as troubling, and his reputation remains tarnished.
Despite the controversy, his wife Nozomi Sasaki chose to keep their family together, and they welcomed their second child in 2023. Watanabe is often seen as needing to show ongoing gratitude toward her. A 2025 survey by Pinzuba News ranked him fifth among celebrities unlikely to return to terrestrial TV, joining notable names like Fuwa-chan, Matsumoto Hitoshi, Saito Shinji, and Nakamaru Yuichi—reflecting how much his public image has suffered.
11th place: Ryoko Hirosue – Actor
Ryoko Hirosue is an actress and singer who ignited the "Hirosue Boom." In June 2023, news broke of her affair with chef Shusaku Toba, prompting her to take a break from entertainment. She divorced her husband, Candle Jun, the following month. Long surrounded by scandals and rumors, she’s often labeled “weird.” Around 2001, she was rumored to be involved with drug deliveries linked to the Kanto Rengo, with allegations even suggesting she performed intimate acts to obtain harmful substances. Exposé YouTuber Garcy has stated these rumors are likely true.
In 2002, it was alleged she offered to intimate favors to director Rick Benson to secure the lead role in WASABI. Her history of odd behaviors, such as repeatedly riding taxis without paying and chronic lateness, made the affair scandal less shocking to many.
She plans to leave her agency in February 2024 to start her own company, "RH," but hasn’t yet received any concrete offers for appearances. Possibly lacking funds to hire a stylist, her outfits on social media have drawn ridicule. Without agency backing, her future in the entertainment world is uncertain. Though rarely seen in Japan nowadays, she’s slated to perform at Taiwan’s large-scale Dagang Kaishou MEGAPORT FESTIVAL in March 2025, perhaps aiming to revive her career overseas.
10th place: Tatsuya Yamaguchi – Idol
Tatsuya Yamaguchi is a former member of the idol group TOKIO. In April 2018, he was reported to prosecutors for allegedly intoxifying a high school girl and committing indecent acts with her. Following the scandal, he left TOKIO in May and has since been ostracized by the entertainment world. Although signs may have appeared earlier—he divorced a former model in 2016—Yamaguchi had a troubled past, including involvement in a motorcycle gang, underage drinking, and smoking. In 2011, he was caught driving without a license; although not charged, his behavior reflected poor judgment.
His indecent conduct was largely attributed to alcoholism, with doctors labeling his condition as having “no hope of recovery.” In 2022, he earned a private certification as a “Drunk Driving Prevention Advisor,” and by March 2023, he established "Yamaguchi Tatsuya Co., Ltd." The company offers seminars aimed at helping those struggling with alcoholism and supporting businesses, seen as a way to atone for the harm he caused. In November 2024, he announced his remarriage to a non-celebrity woman. Though he rarely appears on TV these days, Tatsuya Yamaguchi seems focused on moving forward.
9th place: Koki Tanaka – Idol
Koki Tanaka is a former member of the idol group KAT-TUN who has been barred from the entertainment industry since 2017 due to repeated drug offenses. By June 2024, he had been arrested seven times, each arrest disappointing many of his former fans. Following the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, his behavior became increasingly erratic, including repeatedly sending explicit photos of himself to his partner. He also developed an obsession with tattoos, even getting ink in unorthodox places on his body.
In February 2022, he used a photo showing his tongue out and full-body tattoos as his "artist photo" for a live show, which many found unsettling and drew negative reactions. His ongoing drug addiction and deteriorating personal relationships during the pandemic appear to have contributed to his decline.
In February 2024, Tanaka was arrested for possession of a THC-containing liquid, which had been regulated since August 2023, though he claimed ignorance of the new restrictions. At that time, he was out on bail, but by 2025, no further updates have emerged, leading to speculation that he remains in custody. Interestingly, 2025 marks the 20th anniversary of KAT-TUN, during which half the members—including Yuichi Nakamaru and Junnosuke Taguchi—have stepped back from the spotlight.
8th place: Yoko Maki – Actor
Yoko Maki is an actress who won the Japan Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in the film "Sayonara Keikoku." In February 2024, she was accused of firing an air gun at comedian Yoshimasa Iwahashi during a TV program. Following the incident, comedian Hollywood Zakoshishou posted a satirical impersonation of her. These events took a toll on Yoko Maki’s mental health, and she was hospitalized for anorexia on March 7th.
The day after, her partner shared a tweet saying she was "unconscious," along with a photo of her condition. However, the image appeared staged and sparked controversy online for being overly dramatized. Yoko Maki made her return to the entertainment scene in June and had her first public appearance by July.
Despite her comeback, doubts linger over whether she actually shot Iwahashi with the air gun. Meanwhile, Iwahashi’s comedy duo disbanded, and his contract with Yoshimoto Kogyo was terminated, meaning he was affected by the scandal twice. Upon returning, she planned to promote her film "The Great Absence," but some TV programs declined her appearance due to the seriousness of the air gun controversy. Although her reputation suffered, her acting career continues. In 2025, she starred in the movie "Kaneko Sashiiriten," though she still seems to be battling the shadow of the air gun scandal.
7th place: Tomomi Kahara – Talent/Singer
Tomomi Kahara is a singer and TV personality who achieved a million-selling hit. She was romantically involved with her producer, Tetsuya Komuro, but they broke up at the end of 1998. In January 1999, she was hospitalized due to gas poisoning, which many believe was a self harm attempt.
She returned to the entertainment world in May, working in various fields. However, by around 2006, she developed a drug addiction linked to domestic abuse from her partner. In 2007, she took a break from her career and was dropped by her agency.
Though she made a comeback, her struggles persisted, including overdosing on tranquilizers, emergency hospitalizations, and stays in psychiatric care. After being sidelined from the industry, she moved to the Philippines—where her father lives—to do volunteer work.
She resumed her entertainment activities in 2012. Despite missing a national tour in 2016 due to health issues, her life became more stable. In 2019, she gave birth to her first child with a foreign company employee. She became a mother at 45 but never married.
In 2021, she married Tomohiro Ohno, president and exclusive manager of her agency, but left the agency the following year. Their marriage ended quickly, sparking media attention. Still, Tomomi continues her career independently, launching her first nationwide tour in seven years in November 2024.
6th place: Erika Sawajiri – Actor
Erika Sawajiri is an actress who rose to fame with her role in the TV drama "1 Litre of Tears." In 2007, she caused a stir at a press conference by responding with a detached comment, "It doesn't really matter," which led to media backlash. Although she later apologized, her career suffered as she was gradually sidelined. She stepped away from the entertainment world in 2009. Just before her arrest, she was set to star in the taiga drama "Kirin ga Kuru," but was abruptly replaced by Haruna Kawaguchi, throwing the production into turmoil.
Reports reveal that Erika had been using various drugs since she was 19, during her time on "1 Litre of Tears." Her troublesome behavior was well-known in the industry, and she was even seen dancing at clubs. Despite this, many fans hoped for her comeback, which came in February 2024 with her stage debut in "A Streetcar Named Desire." In January 2025, photographer and director Mika Ninagawa mentioned that Sawajiri attended her solo exhibition, indicating she remains in the public eye and continues to attract attention.
5th place: Junko Sakurada (Idol)
Junko Sakurada is a singer and idol once known as the "Flower of the Junior High School Trio." In 1992, she married a company executive in a Unification Church ceremony held in Seoul and subsequently retired from the entertainment world.
At the same wedding, rhythmic gymnast Hiroko Yamazaki’s attendance drew public attention and sparked legal action against the Unification Church. Following the ceremony, many sponsors withdrew their advertising contracts. After starring in a film released in 1993 and participating in a Unification Church event in 1996, Junko stepped away from show business.
Though she appeared to be sidelined, she continued receiving film offers but declined them all to focus on raising her three children.
In 2006, she published an essay revealing she had closed her husband’s company and was living off remaining assets. However, the essay did not address the public backlash over her mass wedding, drawing criticism from the media.
Still, in 2017, she sold out tickets for a guest appearance at a performance in Ginza Hakuhinkan, and in 2018 she released her first album in 35 years, proving her popularity endured. Despite this, as of 2025, a full comeback in the entertainment industry remains unlikely due to her association with the Unification Church.
4th place: Kentaro Shimizu - Singer
Kentaro Shimizu is a singer and actor known for his role in the TV drama "Shitsuren Restaurant." From 1983 to 2013, he faced multiple arrests related to drug use, leading to his ban from the entertainment world.
Beyond drug issues, his troubled past includes causing a fatal traffic accident while in university, involvement in a hit-and-run incident in 2008, and a collision in 2015, along with other problematic behaviors.
During the Showa to early Heisei era, the entertainment world was more forgiving of scandals. After his third drug arrest in 1994, Shimizu Kentaro found his niche playing gang leader roles and was even dubbed the "King of V-Cinema" at one point.
However, following his 2004 arrest for stimulant drug use, his hopes of returning to showbiz were dashed as no one gave him a chance. He attempted a comeback as a fighter by challenging actor Oshio Manabu to a kickboxing match but was rejected.
Since then, Shimizu has frequently made headlines for drug-related incidents, including stimulant use in 2010 and synthetic drugs and illegal herbs in 2013. After appearing in a single film in 2013 and 2014, he stepped away from acting.
In 2014, he released his first album in 11 years and continued performing concerts until 2021, after which his blog updates ceased. That same year, he married for the third time to a woman 18 years his junior, who also serves as president of his agency. Though his current whereabouts are unknown, many hope he is now living peacefully with her support.
3rd place: Kazuyo Matsui - Talent
Kazuyo Matsui is an actress known for films like Marusa no Onna (The Tax Woman) and a TV personality who frequently appeared on variety shows. Around 2015, her husband, Eiichiro Funakoshi, grew tired of her controlling and eccentric behavior and proposed divorce.
Matsui repeatedly attempted self harm and publicly accused her husband of infidelity on social media. Their divorce was finalized in December 2017, and at the press conference, she raised her fist in celebration, declaring, "My dream has come true." Since Funakoshi initiated the divorce mediation, her reaction seemed unusual.
During the press conference, Matsui gave a series of odd responses, and her laughing and crying were dubbed "Matsui Theater" by the public, causing confusion and leading some to speculate she might have schizophrenia. Although she vanished from television following these scandals, she remains active as an investor and businesswoman. Her unusual behavior continues, such as blogging about sunbathing with her pants down.
Despite this, Matsui’s blog remains popular, consistently ranking number one among female talents on Ameba Blog. As of 2015, her total assets were estimated at 10 billion yen and likely increased since. Even if sidelined from entertainment, it has little impact on her financially.
2nd place: Kazuhiro Kiyohara - Baseball player
Kazuhiro Kiyohara, known as the "Bancho," was a former baseball player and entertainer whose career was marred by drug scandals. In 2016, he was arrested under the Stimulant Control Act and received a prison sentence of two years and six months, suspended for four years. However, his alienation from both the baseball and entertainment industries had started well before this arrest.
After retiring from baseball in 2009, Kiyohara began exhibiting troubling behavior, including last-minute cancellations, extramarital affairs, and getting tattoos. By 2014, drug-related allegations emerged, causing a decline in his professional work.
During a 2015 location shoot, he was seen sweating heavily in winter, leading to the footage being shelved. He divorced his wife in August 2014, and his drug use left him physically and mentally drained, trapping him in a vicious cycle.
Following his arrest, it was revealed that his drug consumption had reached a potentially fatal level. Although rumors suggest he used drugs during his playing career, he denies these claims. After his suspended sentence in 2016, he returned to entertainment in 2020. In 2022, he visited a baseball training camp for the first time in eight years.
In 2024, his son Shogo Kiyohara, a senior university student, applied for professional baseball. Despite attracting attention, he went undrafted. After his final game on November 10th, Kazuhiro praised his son’s perseverance through many hardships, saying, “My son has worked hard to get to this point despite many difficult and painful experiences.”
1st place: Masashi Tashiro - Comedian
Masashi Tashiro is a comedian and former member of the chorus group Rats & Star. In 2000, he was arrested for taking compromising pictures of women, and faced backlash for his bizarre excuse that he was filming a video called "An Octopus Grows on a Mini" at his agency’s request. Although he briefly returned to showbiz, in 2001 he was arrested again for peeping into a neighbor’s bath and was found to be using stimulants—a habit he admitted started in 1991 due to work stress and quickly became an addiction.
He made another comeback in 2002 but was arrested once more in 2004 for stimulant use. After serving his sentence and returning in 2008, he was arrested a third time in 2010. Those close to him noted that before this arrest, Tashiro was slurring his speech and behaving erratically. In 2019, he was arrested a fourth time for drug use, with his gaunt appearance sparking public concern. Notably, figures like Ken Shimura and his Rats & Star colleagues remained silent about this latest incident.
Tashiro was released in October 2022 after serving time for his fourth harmful substance offense. Years of repeated arrests have caused many of his supporters to abandon him, and his TV appearances have dwindled. His income mostly came from YouTube and work at DARC, a support center for drug addicts. After a long absence, he made a rare TV appearance in December 2024 on Fuji TV’s special program "Cho Shirabete Mita Ra." Given his history, another drug arrest would likely end any chance of a comeback. All that remains is hope he stays clean.