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| Makiyo Reignites 2012 Assault Scandal with Controversial New Claims |
More than ten years after the infamous taxi driver assault scandal that tanked her career, Japanese-Taiwanese entertainer Makiyo (real name Makiyo Kawashima) has decided to stir the pot again — and it’s safe to say not everyone's thrilled.
In a recent podcast episode, the now 40-year-old celeb revisited the 2012 incident that saw her and friend Takateru Tomoyori drunkenly attack a Taipei taxi driver named Mr Lin.
The case caused a media storm back then, with CCTV footage showing Makiyo kicking the poor man while he lay on the ground.
Fast forward to now, and she’s suggesting the whole thing might not have been what it seemed.
According to Makiyo, the victim wasn’t as badly hurt as people believed.
She claims Mr Lin wasn’t unconscious after the incident — and even says his family told her at the time that he had “gone overseas for a holiday” before any compensation was finalised.
“I’m not scared of getting sued,” she said boldly on the podcast. “I just want to tell the truth after all these years.”
Makiyo also likened the fallout from the scandal to being handed a "death sentence by society," claiming her life and career never really recovered — despite her and Takateru receiving suspended sentences rather than jail time.
While she insists she wants to clear things up, her timing and tone have sparked mixed reactions online.
The Family Responds: “He Never Even Had a Passport”
Unsurprisingly, Mr Lin’s family isn’t having it.
In response to Makiyo’s fresh remarks, they've now hired a lawyer, stating that Mr Lin never once travelled abroad — not before, not after, not ever.
“He didn’t even own a passport,” they said, also confirming that he passed away seven years ago.
They’ve also pointed to his original medical records, which reportedly showed clear evidence of serious injuries from the assault.
For them, Makiyo’s sudden rehashing of the case is confusing, painful, and unnecessary.
“We don’t understand why she’s bringing this up again,” the family said. “It’s been over a decade — what’s the point?”
Flashback: What Happened in 2012?
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In case you need a refresher: back in February 2012, Makiyo and Takateru got into an argument with a Taiwanese taxi driver after a night of heavy drinking.
Things turned violent, with dashcam footage catching Makiyo yelling and physically attacking the driver, who ended up hospitalised. The two initially denied everything — until the footage came out.
Eventually, they were both charged with assault and reached an outside settlement worth NT$3 million.
Though they dodged jail, public backlash was swift and intense.
Makiyo’s reputation took a major hit, especially in Taiwan, where she had once been fairly popular.
So why is she bringing it up now, over a decade later?
That’s the big question — and the victim’s family, fans, and critics alike aren’t convinced this comeback story is heading in the right direction.