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| timelesz Issues Full Apology After Shinozuka Taiki’s On-Air Misstep Stirs Online Backlash (Photo: Instagram/Taiki) |
Japanese idol group timelesz has stepped forward with a united apology after member Shinozuka Taiki landed himself in hot water for an off-the-cuff gag during a Mezamashi TV broadcast, which viewers felt crossed a line. The clip spread quickly across social platforms, prompting a wave of criticism and forcing both the programme and the group to respond.
On 21 November, STARTO ENTERTAINMENT published an official statement signed by all eight members. The tone was noticeably serious, with the group acknowledging that Taiki’s remark during the show was “careless and lacking in judgement”, adding that it fell short of the standards expected of performers representing a mainstream idol group.
In the statement, the members said they were “deeply reflecting as individuals and as a unit”, stressing that the issue isn’t being dismissed as a lone member’s mistake but something the group must take responsibility for as a whole.
According to them, they had a proper sit-down discussion, during which they admitted each had “shortcomings and responsibility” in how the incident unfolded.
The group further promised to “continue discussing what it means to behave as idols”, saying they intend to keep each other accountable and be far more mindful of how they come across on air.
They emphasised that the apology isn’t the end of the matter — they plan to demonstrate improvement through their future activities rather than simply rely on written statements.
The message closed with a pledge to regain public trust:
“We will take your words seriously and correct our path. We will strive to show, through our actions, that we have learnt from this.”
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| Taiki's statement |
What Actually Happened
The controversy erupted after Shinozuka Taiki, serving as an entertainment presenter on Mezamashi TV, performed a quick gag near the end of the segment.
Although brief, the content didn’t sit well with audiences, who called it inappropriate for the programme’s tone and time slot.
Comments questioning his judgement piled up across Twitter and other platforms, eventually forcing the show itself to issue a formal apology.
Mezamashi TV posted their own statement acknowledging the negative feedback from the 18 November broadcast, saying:
“We apologise for making viewers uncomfortable. We will continue working to create a programme that everyone can watch with peace of mind.”
【timeleszからお詫び】
— Johnny's information (@info__Johnnys) November 21, 2025
番組出演時のメンバーによる不適切な言動についてのお詫びが、STARTO ENTERTAINMENT公式サイトに掲載されています。
謝罪して終わりにするのではなく、その想いを今後の活動の中で示していけるよう、一層精進されるとのことです。#timelesz
While the incident doesn’t appear to have caused long-term damage to timelesz’s activities, it has sparked fresh debate in Japan’s idol industry about on-air conduct, especially for younger idols moving into presenter roles.
The group’s decision to publish a handwritten, all-member signed apology suggests they’re trying to demonstrate accountability rather than brushing the issue aside.
For now, the ball is in their court — fans and non-fans alike will be watching to see whether the group follows through on their commitment to “stricter self-discipline” and a more thoughtful public presence.
Source: STARTO