In a case that’s captivated and puzzled many, the fifth online hearing regarding a lawsuit led by Watanabe Sense against the publisher of Friday, Kodansha, took place on March 18, 2025. At the heart of the legal battle is a report linked to a drinking party involving comedian Hitoshi Matsumoto, who is 61 years old, and accusations surrounding inappropriate behavior that allegedly occurred at the event.
The lawsuit stems from claims made in a series of reports by Friday that suggested Watanabe had made Matsumoto ‘patronize’ a woman during a drinking gathering at a luxury hotel in Osaka back in October 2018. Watanabe, now aged 41, contends that these publications have severely damaged his reputation, leading him to file a lawsuit for defamation against the publisher in May 2024.
During this recent hearing, it was revealed that the Friday team submitted photographic and video evidence to the Tokyo District Court, marking the first time any material evidence has been presented in this protracted case. This evidence reportedly includes several photographs showing Matsumoto’s alleged interactions with two women during the party, which have been described as ‘horse-riding photos’ due to their provocative nature.
According to reports, at the drinking party attended by Matsumoto and Watanabe, six individuals, including two women referred to as Ms. A and Ms. B, were present. Following an initial phase of socializing, Matsumoto and one of the women were reportedly left at the hotel after the gathering was temporarily dissolved. An hour later, Matsumoto reached out to Ms. A, mentioning that Ms. B was too intoxicated to leave. When Ms. A returned, it is claimed they resumed drinking together, leading to the controversial image being taken, which appeared in Friday and sparked outrage on various social media platforms.
Despite significant claims and counterclaims, Watanabe’s legal team has questioned the very existence of Ms. A. They assert that he had invited a different acquaintance to the gathering, not Ms. A as purported by Friday. Watanabe's counsel argues that following the drinking event, he spent time with this unnamed acquaintance at home, creating more confusion about the real nature of the party and the identities involved.
On the other hand, the Friday representatives remain steadfast, having presented multiple pieces of evidence in court, including: 1) multiple horse-riding photos, 2) a photograph that Ms. A allegedly took when she returned to the hotel after Matsumoto's call, and 3) a video capturing the after-drinking discussions between Ms. A, Ms. B, and Matsumoto.
The courtroom clash began in June 2024 and has since evolved into a complicated legal maneuvering, with both parties appearing to be at an impasse. Observers note that the debate over who Ms. A is has plunged the proceedings into chaos, with mixed arguments complicating efforts to resolve the matter. One source close to the situation conveyed, "Particularly during the identification stage of confirming who Ms. A actually is, both sides' statements have conflicted, leaving a chaotic atmosphere. It seems inevitable that, at some point, the court will recommend a settlement as the trial's direction remains uncertain."
The trial is set against a backdrop of ongoing interest in how the entertainment industry interacts with media narratives. Such instances often blur the lines between public interest and personal privacy, raising broader questions about how reporting affects individuals involved.
As the case unfolds, those following it remain keenly aware of the implications it holds not just for Watanabe and Matsumoto, but also for the wider relationship between celebrity culture and the media, a dynamic that continues to evolve in today’s interconnected world.
