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| Scuffle Erupts Ahead of Idol Appearance at Tokyo Racecourse, Fans Criticised |
Things got a bit too lively at Tokyo Racecourse on 8 June, and not just on the track — a proper scuffle kicked off just before idol group FRUITS ZIPPER were set to hold a talk show as part of the JRA’s Kawaii Keiba vs Ikemen Keiba spring campaign. The incident, reportedly sparked by a front row turf war, has drawn sharp criticism from racegoers and comparisons to a similar fiasco at a ≠ME concert back in April.
According to folks on site, the clash unfolded shortly after the final race of the day, around 5PM, right before the group’s scheduled stage appearance near the paddock. A group of blokes were apparently unhappy with their view and tried to shove out some fans who had been patiently waiting up front — and that’s when fists started flying.
Clips doing the rounds on social media platform X show several men attempting to muscle their way into front row spots, resulting in a full-on brawl. Security stepped in, but the mood had already soured.
#FRUITSZIPPER
— スイッチ (@switch0315) June 8, 2025
#私の一番可愛いところ pic.twitter.com/EQfkl8A5Es
Fans of horse racing, who were mostly there for the G1 Yasuda Kinen, weren’t too thrilled with the drama. Several took to online forums and SNS to voice their frustration, calling the fighting crowd “disruptive” and pointing fingers at so-called “event wreckers” — people who repeatedly cause chaos at public appearances of popular groups.
One regular racegoer commented, “We came here to enjoy the races, not to watch grown men fighting over idol spots. This isn’t an underground live house. It’s the racecourse.”
While the incident itself wasn’t addressed directly, FRUITS ZIPPER’s management quietly dropped a reminder to fans via their official site and SNS channels, asking everyone to observe proper viewing etiquette and “enjoy events in a safe and respectful manner.” The message avoided naming the incident, but fans didn’t miss the hint.
This marks the second notable outbreak of disorder tied to idol events in recent months, with netizens noting that idol culture — especially around hyped collab events — has started spilling over into spaces not designed for idol fan behaviour.
Whether this leads to stricter rules for future idol-race collaborations is yet to be seen, but one thing’s clear: if the front row's becoming a battleground, managements might need to step in harder before things spiral.