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| Obsessed Man Arrested for Threatening Idol |
A 24-year-old man from Saitama has been arrested by Tokyo Metropolitan Police after sending a series of disturbing messages to a teenage idol managed by Avex.
The suspect, Kotaro Oshida, reportedly sent five threatening DMs via Instagram in March, telling the idol to "go die" and warning that he would be attending one of her upcoming events.
One message even stated, “This isn’t just a threat.”
Understandably shaken, the young idol—whose name has not been disclosed—decided to cancel her appearances at three scheduled events, including ones in Tokyo and Osaka.
According to police, Oshida had been a longtime fan of the idol.
But his affection took a dark turn when he admitted, “I thought she was cute. I wanted her to understand how hurt I was.”
Despite having no job and no prior criminal record, Oshida’s behaviour led to his arrest on charges of making threats and interfering with business operations.
The idol’s agency has not commented in detail but expressed concerns for her safety and the safety of fans and staff.
They also thanked fans for their understanding regarding the sudden cancellations.
Police say the messages clearly caused distress, prompting the idol to prioritise her mental and physical wellbeing.
She is currently taking time off from public appearances to recover.
Cases like this have sparked renewed calls in Japan for better online safety measures, especially for young performers constantly exposed to the public eye.
Social media has become both a platform of connection and unfortunately, a source of harassment for idols and entertainers in Japan.
The entertainment industry is often quick to act when safety is compromised, with agencies now revisiting their event security protocols.
Some fans online have expressed disappointment and anger toward Oshida, saying he crossed the line from fan into stalker territory.
Others voiced support for the idol, flooding her latest posts with messages of encouragement and empathy.
Oshida is said to be cooperating with authorities as the investigation continues.
Experts say emotional instability combined with idol obsession can quickly spiral if not addressed early.
Unfortunately, it’s not the first time an idol has faced this kind of harassment.
The public has been reminded once again of the thin line idols must walk between accessibility and safety.
It’s still unclear when the idol will return to public appearances, but her agency confirmed they are supporting her fully.
Some fans suggested that meet-and-greet events might now see tighter restrictions or even be put on hold altogether.
Commentators say while Japan has a strong idol culture, the darker side of fan obsession needs more serious attention.
Many hope this incident will push platforms like Instagram to act faster on harmful content, especially when it involves minors.
As of now, police are continuing to examine Oshida’s phone and online activity to see if there were any earlier warning signs.
In the meantime, the idol community is once again facing a familiar question: how do you stay close to fans without putting yourself in danger?