 |
| NTT/Docomo Becomes Latest Brand to Remove Mei Nagano Amid Ongoing Controversy (Sponichi) |
The commercial fallout from that rumoured love triangle involving actress Mei Nagano just keeps getting messier – and it’s now costing both her and Kei Tanaka some serious sponsorship deals.
As of this week, seven major brands have quietly dropped either Nagano or Tanaka from their official websites, with their commercials vanishing into thin air. The latest to ditch Nagano? NTT Communications, who pulled her content from their site on 14 May. This follows earlier removals from heavyweights like Suntory, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and MOS Burger.
For Kei Tanaka, it’s a similar story. Brands are pulling the plug one by one. Suntory, known for its Kakubin whiskey and Kaku Highball, confirmed to Sankei Sports that they’re taking a pause on their ads featuring him.
 |
“Given the current situation,” they said diplomatically, “we feel it’s difficult to convey the true value of the brand.” His visuals were scrubbed from their website as of Tuesday afternoon.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries wasn’t far behind. Their spokesperson explained the move was based on a “comprehensive judgment” after weighing up the potential backlash.
If you’re wondering what sparked all this? Last month, Shukan Bunshun dropped a bombshell report claiming Nagano, 25, was romantically involved with not one but two of her co-stars – married actor Kei Tanaka (40) and Kim Mu-jun (26).
According to their scoop, she allegedly invited Tanaka into her flat late at night on 19 April – and the night before, she reportedly spent the evening with Kim, her co-star in the TBS drama Caster. The two-timing claims lit up Japanese social media like wildfire.
Then on 7 May, Bunshun doubled down, publishing what they say were intimate LINE messages between Nagano and Tanaka. Both actors’ agencies have denied the rumours and the chats – but the damage, it seems, is already done.
It’s not just Suntory and Mitsubishi taking action. Kikkoman and Eye City also wiped their campaigns clean on 1 May – although Eye City insists it had nothing to do with the scandal and the campaign had simply run its course (sure, Jan). JCB and Sunstar followed suit not long after.
 |
According to an insider: “This trend will continue. Even if contracts don’t end immediately, it’s clear they won’t be renewed.”
To top it off, the premiere event for Nagano’s upcoming film Kakkaku Shikajika, set for 16 May, will be held without any media. One source told Sankei, “If the press were allowed in, all attention would be on the scandal, not the film. It’s just too risky.” Normally, these stage events are huge publicity opportunities – but this time around, it looks like silence is safer than scandal.
With every passing week, more sponsors are backing off – and for Nagano, the consequences of those late-night visits are stacking up fast.