Adultery and Assault... Ryoko Hirosue Transformed from Nation's Little Sister to 'Controversy Icon' [Japanese Side]

Actress Ryoko Hirosue Arrested on Assault Charges
Series of Scandals Tarnish Her Public Image
Some Criticize the "Overheated Atmosphere"

In Japan, Ryoko Hirosue, once known as the 'Nation's Little Sister' who enjoyed immense popularity in the 2000s, has become embroiled in controversy due to social misconduct. In South Korea, she was recognized as the short-haired actress from the movie Railroad Man. After causing a traffic accident, Hirosue was taken to a hospital where she assaulted a nurse, leading to a police investigation. Even before this incident, she had sparked several controversies, resulting in negative public perceptions of her, and this latest event seems to be a significant blow. Today, we share the story of Ryoko Hirosue, an actress who once bore the nicknames 'Nation's Little Sister' and 'Nation's First Love,' but has now become an icon of controversy.

On the 8th, NHK reported that while waiting for medical treatment at a hospital, Hirosue kicked a nurse multiple times and scratched her arm, assaulting her and leading to her arrest by the police. Looking into the details, the previous day around 7 p.m., she was driving on the Shizuoka Prefecture highway with her manager when she collided with a large trailer. Although she was not seriously injured, she sustained minor injuries and was transported to the hospital, where the assault on the nurse occurred.

Photo of Ryoko Hirosue. Ryoko Hirosue SNS.

Her agency explained that the incident happened because Hirosue was in a panic state. However, people who saw her at a rest area before the accident reported that she exhibited suspiciously high-energy behavior, such as approaching passersby saying, "I am Ryoko Hirosue," and hugging them. During the police investigation, she showed similar emotional fluctuations, prompting a drug test, which came back negative.

Nevertheless, Japanese media and public opinion have taken a consistently negative stance. This is partly because Hirosue has been involved in multiple scandals before. In fact, Toyo Keizai published an article titled "The Reason Why Hirosue Can Continue Her Activities Despite Repeated Public Criticism," summarizing all the scandals she had been linked to. These included the highly controversial special admission to Waseda University for entertainers, allegations that she did not attend classes due to her activities but still graduated through preferential treatment, and many other claims whose veracity remains uncertain.

Additionally, persistent rumors of infidelity have contributed to the controversy. She married fashion designer Takahiro Okazawa in 2003 but divorced in 2008. She remarried in 2010 to Candle Jun. Although it seemed she was living well with a child, in 2023, it was revealed that she had an affair with famous chef Shusaku Toba, leading to an official apology. Both Hirosue and the chef were reportedly still married at the time, causing a 'double infidelity' scandal. Her agency announced that she would suspend her entertainment activities indefinitely and remain in seclusion. Consequently, she divorced Candle Jun and is said to be continuing her relationship with the chef.

Poster of the movie "Railroad Man" starring Ryoko Hirosue. Movie Database.

Originally, Hirosue was called the Nation's Little Sister and enjoyed tremendous popularity in the 2000s, so many people view her situation with sympathy. She debuted in the entertainment industry as a middle school student in 1995 through commercials and gained nationwide attention with a pager commercial for Japan's telecommunications company NTT DoCoMo, rising to the status of a top star. At that time, her short hair and pure image made her explosively popular.

However, her agency stated in an interview that Hirosue was mentally very unstable, suffering from anxiety and other issues. Her bookings sharply declined due to ongoing controversies. The recent traffic accident occurred while she was fulfilling a movie shooting schedule. Initially, Hirosue was reluctant to take the role because of the low pay, but she was persuaded that she should cherish any offers if she wanted to make a comeback. However, upon reviewing the production plan from the party that offered the role, she felt that her name was not even mentioned and that the production company was trying to exploit her name for convenience.

Because of this, Hirosue frequently clashed with the director on set. On the day of the incident, the director reportedly shouted at her, causing her to storm off and drive back to Tokyo, during which the accident happened.

Considering all these circumstances, it seems she is a person who has faced many hardships. Currently, in Japan, police investigations have concluded, and media reports are saturated with reactions such as Hirosue smiling as she got into the car, showing an overheated atmosphere around her.

Comedy critic Larry Doda commented, "While the public generally disapproves of the media invading celebrities' private lives or criticizing their character, it seems that Hirosue, who frequently causes trouble, is treated as an exception. Whether she did well or not, she was a super idol of the 1990s, but uniquely, she has been disparaged as a celebrity who stirs up commotion." This news invites much reflection beyond simply judging right or wrong.