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| GO little by little Head Held by Police, Accused of Exploiting Idol Under 18 (NHK) |
The suspect, identified as Hiroshi Torimaru (39), heads the agency GO little by little.
According to investigators, he first summoned the girl, then just 15, to a rental room under the pretext of “having a discussion.”
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There, he carried out an indecent act. Police say that between April 2021 and October 2022, when the idol was aged 16–17, Torimaru went on to commit a further 12 assaults in Tokyo hotels.
The victim finally approached police in March this year, describing the repeated encounters as mentally exhausting but saying she had remained silent at the time because she wanted to continue her career as an idol. She told investigators:
“I loved being an idol and wanted to keep going, but I hated being treated that way. It left me emotionally drained.”
Torimaru has admitted some physical contact but partially denied the charges, insisting: “I intended it as a serious relationship. I never abused my position.”
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Agency Statement
The agency GO little by little issued a formal apology via the official group’s social media accounts.
The statement admitted that the conduct in question may have amounted to acts against a minor and acknowledged the harm caused:
“We deeply apologise for the great concern and distress this incident has caused. After speaking with multiple parties involved, it has become clear that behaviour potentially amounting to acts against a minor did occur. The fact that the young woman has been hurt is undeniable. We extend our sincere apologies to her and her family. We take this matter very seriously and will strengthen both our management system and compliance policies moving forward.”
Ongoing Investigation
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Police are continuing to investigate the timeline and circumstances of the assaults, as well as the extent to which Torimaru used his influence as the girl’s agency head.
The case has sparked fresh questions about the safeguarding of young idols in Japan’s entertainment industry, where agency executives often hold significant power over the careers and futures of their performers.