Tomomi Kahara, the renowned singer, has publicly discussed troubling experiences she faced with a male journalist she had hired, bringing to light issues surrounding harassment within her professional sphere. On February 21, during her YouTube channel update, Kahara shared her side of the story, highlighting both distress and determination as she navigates her career.
For over four years, Kahara has been managing her own affairs through her agency, initially named "Office Kahara." Seeking to build her public relations team, she considered hiring reporters but ended up entangled with complex personal dynamics. The situation escalated after lavish dinners at upscale restaurants, each costing between ¥230,000 and ¥250,000, to discuss business. Yet, what started as professional interactions took a troubling turn when the hired journalist suggested they engage romantically, trying to arrange what he dubbed as "a kiss meeting."
This advance made Kahara uncomfortable, and she firmly rejected his advances, stating, "You aren’t the type of person I would date." This rejection triggered intense fury from the journalist, jeopardizing her well-being and professional relationships.
Witnessing the confrontation was Kahara's 5-year-old son, who visibly expressed his fear, advising her, "Mom, it's bad! You should stop! That person is crazy." The emotional turmoil for both Kahara and her son was palpable as they faced this untenable situation.
The fallout from the incident led to the journalist abandoning his support for her career, stating, "I am no longer the supportive journalist for Tomomi Kahara." This withdrawal not only left Kahara feeling disrespected but also culminated in lost opportunities for international work she had been eyeing.
Frustrated and angry about the harassment, Kahara found herself questioning, "Why do I have to apologize?" Despite her grievances, she felt compelled to offer apologies, though the situation continued to be unresolved. This led her to reassess her professional connections and eventually dissolve her relationship with the journalist.
Despite the turmoil, Kahara reiterated her resolve to pursue her career diligently, stating, "I will work hard moving forward, so please continue to support me." Her dedication to her profession remains steadfast, even after negative experiences.
Alongside tackling harassment, Kahara also announced the rebranding of her agency from "Office Kahara" to "Kabushiki Kaisha Ouka." She explained during her video how this decision was partly inspired by advice from fortune teller Leon Kinoshita, as she believed her previous agency's name had attracted misfortune. "The name 'Office Kahara' has brought me many bad experiences," she admitted, highlighting her desire to start fresh.
Having discussed the unfortunate events publicly, Kahara continues to strive for positivity as she urges fans to support her new path, filled with renewed hope and resilience. The singer reassures her audience of her commitment to her work, promising to rise above adversity and remain dedicated to her music career.
With her public acknowledgment of the harassment experienced, Kahara sets a precedent for addressing such troubling issues and pursuing her career with integrity. Her future seems charged with ambition, and she aims to reclaim her narrative and success.