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| Press Conference for Banjo no Himawari at Busan Cancelled as Sakaguchi Kentaro Pulls Back |
Japanese actor Sakaguchi Kentaro has cancelled his planned appearance at the press conference for his upcoming film Banjo no Himawari at the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), originally set for September 18.
The festival issued an official notice on the 15th, explaining that the press event was “unavoidably cancelled due to the guest’s circumstances” and asked for understanding regarding the sudden schedule change.
Sakaguchi Kentaro was supposed to attend alongside co-star Watanabe Ken, adding extra weight to the cancellation.
The news comes in the wake of intense tabloid coverage in Japan.
Earlier this month, Shukan Bunshun reported that Sakaguchi Kentaro, 33, has been living with a hair and make-up artist three years his senior.
The same report also brought up a past relationship with popular actress Nagano Mei, claiming their link overlapped with his other romance.
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Nagano Mei’s agency later confirmed she had dated Sakaguchi in the past but said she had no knowledge of his involvement with someone else at the time.
Sakaguchi Kentaro, who began his career as a model before transitioning to acting, has built a strong portfolio with dramas such as Juhan Shuttai!, Signal, and Only Just Married, as well as films including Umimachi Diary, Heroine Shikkaku, and The Last 10 Years.
His popularity also extends to Korea, thanks to his 2024 role opposite actress Lee Se Young in the Coupang Play series What Comes After Love.
With Banjo no Himawari scheduled for a high-profile festival slot, his absence is already being felt, sparking debate among both fans and industry insiders. Whether this setback will affect the film’s wider promotion or Kentaro Sakaguchi’s standing in international markets remains to be seen.