The recent scandal involving actor Tanaka Kei and actress Nagano Mei has taken a dramatic turn, sparking widespread media attention and public speculation. The affair allegations surfaced in the May 8, 2025 issue of Shukan Bunshun, which published purported LINE messages exchanged between the two. As the story unfolds, both actors' agencies have issued firm denials, claiming that no such relationship exists.
Tanaka Kei, 40, is currently starring in the stage play Genki na Yurei, which runs until May 29 at Nissho Hall in Tokyo. The play has been well-received, with tickets sold out for all performances. However, the ongoing controversy surrounding his alleged affair with 25-year-old Nagano Mei has cast a shadow over his professional success. According to a sports journalist, "The audience has been moved to tears by the performance, but the pressure from the infidelity reports is growing stronger."
The affair rumors first emerged when Shukan Bunshun published an article detailing the alleged relationship. Initially, both Tanaka and Nagano's agencies denied the claims, asserting that they had confirmed with their clients that no affair took place. Nagano addressed the situation on her radio show, Nagano Mei's All Night Nippon X, on April 28, where she expressed remorse for her "frivolous behavior that could cause misunderstandings." Tanaka similarly apologized to fans via a paid fan site shortly before the play's opening.
Despite the denials, the situation escalated when a friend of Tanaka reportedly leaked intimate LINE exchanges between the two. This revelation prompted Nagano's agency to clarify that she had no such conversations. They stated, "After confirming with Nagano, there were no such exchanges. Tanaka Kei is merely a senior colleague, and there is no romantic relationship." Tanaka's agency echoed this sentiment, emphasizing their trust in his statements.
Public sentiment, however, has largely sided with Tanaka's wife, Sakura, who has been married to him since September 2011. The couple has two daughters, born in February 2012 and August 2016. Many social media users expressed sympathy for Sakura, commenting, "Tanaka Kei's wife is suffering too much" and "If this is true, it's incredibly sad for her!"
Sakura, who retired from acting to support Tanaka's career, is reportedly considering seeking compensation from Nagano for emotional distress. Sources suggest that the emotional toll from the scandal has pushed her to her limits, with speculation that Tanaka has hinted at potential divorce discussions.
In an interview with Yahoo! News Original in October 2021, Tanaka described Sakura as his "partner," emphasizing their deep bond. He stated, "My closest friend is my wife. After ten years, we’ve become more than friends; we’re like partners." However, the current allegations threaten to unravel their long-standing relationship, with insiders noting that Sakura feels betrayed by Tanaka's actions.
As the affair scandal continues to unfold, speculation regarding the origins of the leaked LINE messages has intensified. Observers have noted that the absence of screenshots in the Shukan Bunshun article raises questions about the authenticity of the claims. A former reporter speculated that the lack of visual evidence may be a strategy to protect sources or avoid privacy violations. The article did, however, include detailed text exchanges that many believe to be credible.
Furthermore, the method of how the LINE messages were obtained has become a topic of interest. Reports suggest that the messages could have been exported using LINE's function to send chat histories as text files, a common technique in infidelity investigations. This method allows for quick and discreet sharing of conversations without the need for screenshots, which can be time-consuming to compile.
As the scandal develops, the parallels to previous celebrity infidelity cases, such as the 2016 controversy involving talents Becky and Kawatani Enon, have not gone unnoticed. In that instance, leaked messages led to significant public backlash and career repercussions for both parties involved. Observers are now questioning whether Tanaka and Nagano will face similar fallout.
With Nagano's rising star power—she holds 11 commercial contracts and is currently featured in the drama Caster—the pressure is mounting for both actors to navigate this scandal effectively. Their ability to manage public perception in the coming weeks will be crucial, as social media sentiment continues to sway against them.
For now, Tanaka's ongoing performances in Genki na Yurei will serve as a litmus test for how well he can compartmentalize his personal life from his professional obligations. As the drama unfolds both on stage and in the tabloids, audiences are left to wonder whether this scandal will mark the beginning of the end for Tanaka’s marriage or simply a bump in the road for two of Japan's beloved actors.
As the story continues to develop, both Tanaka and Nagano will need to tread carefully, as the public's scrutiny intensifies and the ramifications of their alleged actions become increasingly evident. With their careers and personal lives on the line, the next few weeks will be pivotal in determining the outcome of this high-profile scandal.
