KADOKAWA's professional Mahjong league, KADOKAWA Sakura Knights, found itself embroiled in controversy following inappropriate remarks made by player Sakae Okada toward reporter Yuri Ito during a live-streamed event. On January 24, 2025, Okada's off-hand comments, made during the broadcast, ignited public backlash and discussions on social media.
The remarks quickly drew ire, prompting KADOKAWA to issue a public apology on January 27, just days after the incident. The formal statement on the team's official website addressed both Okada's behavior and the team’s shortcomings in managing the situation. "We sincerely apologize for the inappropriate comments made by Sakae Okada during the online broadcast on January 24 and for the lack of oversight from the team," they stated.
Despite the apologies, the situation was complicated by Ito's health. She expressed intentions to step back from her role as the program's reporter due to the emotional distress caused by the incident. More recently, on January 31, she confirmed her absence due to health issues and officially announced her resignation from the show on February 15.
KADOKAWA's management revealed Okada had expressed her desire to personally apologize to Ito, but logistics surrounding the timing have been hindered by Ito’s continued health struggles. They noted, "We have been coordinating the arrangements for Sakae Okada to meet with Yuri Ito to offer her personal apologies. Unfortunately, this has not yet been possible due to Ito’s current health condition."
The team has taken steps to maintain communication with Ito’s agency, centering on the necessity of resolving the issue constructively. They clarified, "We have shared updates with Saint Force, Ito’s agency, since the incident occurred, and we have been negotiating measures to address the matter effectively. We submitted the letter of apology to them, which has been acknowledged."
The KADOKAWA management also urged the public to refrain from spreading defamatory comments on social media, stating, "While many have expressed their concerns for Yuri Ito, there have also been instances of slander directed at both her and our team members, which we strongly condemn. We request all individuals to exercise restraint."
Okada herself took to social media on January 25 to apologize for her comments, asserting, "I take full responsibility for my words. To anyone who was offended, I sincerely apologize. I am reflecting deeply on my actions."
Adding to the lyrics from the statements on KADOKAWA's site, they reinforced their commitment to preventing similar incidents in the future: "We will do everything possible to make sure such occurrences do not happen again. We kindly ask for your continued support for KADOKAWA Sakura Knights."
This incident not only shows the personal ramifications for both Okada and Ito but also serves as a broader reminder of the responsibility held by public figures. The fallout emphasizes the need for respectful discourse, particularly within the often high-pressure environments of live broadcasts.