Former Japanese Idol Gains Over 1 Million Followers in Record Time

Johnny & Associates Agency, also known as ‘Johnny’s,’ is Japan’s biggest idol agency. One of their most popular and controversial idols, Yuya Tegoshi, of the 4-man idol group NEWS, recently announced that he would be leaving the idol group and ending his contract with Johnny’s. The 32-year-old singer and rumored playboy had been accused of going out drinking with groups of women during the state of emergency from various news outlets. There are claims that the continued pressure from media and online critics is what influenced him to leave. 

However, in a recently held public press conference, Tegoshi came forward to address the rumors surrounding him, his alleged drinking with women, and many details about his time at Johnny’s. Tegoshi came forward, saying that many of the allegations being spread by the media are being falsely reported. What was said to be a drinking party with many women was a business meeting to discuss future events, according to Tegoshi. He also stated that his leaving of the idol group NEWS was pre-planned and that he had considered leaving the group around four years before further challenge himself. 

After the press conference, his openness and honesty regarding his situation were positively received. Negative press towards celebrities in Japan typically results in avoiding public attention and issuing many apologies. Thanks to his turn-around from the press conference, Tegoshi’s recently created YouTube and Twitter accounts both surpassed 1 million followers, making it one of the quickest gains on YouTube and Twitter in Japan’s history.