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Japanese Boy Band Star Found Drunk, Naked, Screaming

Incident in public park cost singer ad deals

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 23, 2009 4:00 PM CDT
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(Newser) – A member of SMAP, Japan’s most famous boy band, was arrested today after he was found naked, drunk and screaming in a public park at 3am, Asahi Shimbun reports. Tsuoyoshi Kusanagi, 34, reportedly screamed “What’s wrong with being naked?” at an officer while being removed. He had consumed so much alcohol that he was over the legal limit five hours after being arrested.

Kusanagi is accused of indecent exposure, but faces other consequences because of his fame. Public-service ads starring Kusanagi have been pulled; Toyota’s rental company has decided to suspend the line of ads that have featured Kusanagi since 1998, and Procter and Gamble Japan has yanked its Kusanagi ads. Fuji TV Network, which runs four shows starring him, said it was weighing its options.

Japanese actor Tsuyoshi Kusanagi appears at the 2006 Seoul Drama Awards at the Korea Broadcasters Association.
Japanese actor Tsuyoshi Kusanagi appears at the 2006 Seoul Drama Awards at the Korea Broadcasters Association.   (Getty Images)
In this 2008 file photo, Japanese pop star Tsuyoshi Kusanagi attends a TV news show with 100 Japanese youngsters in Tokyo.
In this 2008 file photo, Japanese pop star Tsuyoshi Kusanagi attends a TV news show with 100 Japanese youngsters in Tokyo.   (AP Photo)
Japanese actor Tsuyoshi Kusanagi arrives for the 1st Seoul Drama Awards 2006 at the Korea Broadcasters Association on August 29, 2006 in Seoul, South Korea.
Japanese actor Tsuyoshi Kusanagi arrives for the 1st Seoul Drama Awards 2006 at the Korea Broadcasters Association on August 29, 2006 in Seoul, South Korea.   (Getty Images)
Japanese actor Tsuyoshi Kusanagi arrives for the 1st Seoul Drama Awards 2006 at the Korea Broadcasters Association on August 29, 2006 in Seoul, South Korea.
Japanese actor Tsuyoshi Kusanagi arrives for the 1st Seoul Drama Awards 2006 at the Korea Broadcasters Association on August 29, 2006 in Seoul, South Korea.   (Getty Images)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 7 comments
drlarrymitchell
Apr 28, 2009 9:32 AM CDT
Keith Moon did "Drunk, Naked & Screaming" better than any of you whippersnappers ever could.
riffran
Apr 24, 2009 6:20 AM CDT
what a party!..lol
inky
Apr 24, 2009 4:59 AM CDT
Amen, doctor.

Kusanagi's arrest shocks Japanese pop music world
Times (UK)

Communications minister enraged at star's antics
AFP

Toho film studio reconsiders releasing Kusanagi vehicle
Mainichi Daily News (Japan)

 
alcohol • Japan • alcohol abuse • boy bands • drunk • drunkenness • Tsuoyoshi Kusanagi

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