Idol’s Marriage And Pregnancy With 31 Years Older, Accused Sex Offender Disgusts Netizens

Small age gaps of five years or less between adult partners usually do not spark much controversy. However, significant, decades-long age gaps between stars who are romantically involved, especially if the actions of one are questionable, are usually not received well.

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However, an idol’s marriage to a significantly older man was recently scrutinized due to his previous allegations.

AKB48 is one of Japan’s most globally known idol groups, featuring a rotating line-up of members. In 2012, former member Nishino Miki joined the group, earning a spot on the group’s Team 4, where she remained active until 2017. She is currently active as a media personality and idol under the Japanese agency Twin Planet. 

In 2022, she shocked many with the announcement of her marriage to Yamamoto Keiichi, who is 31 years her senior. Just under two years after their marriage, the pair welcomed a daughter.

Yamamoto is a comedian and entertainer who has been active since the 1980s and has been involved in several controversies over the years. In 2003, he was reported to the police for exposing his genitals on stage, resulting in him and his comedy duo partner being reprimanded by their agency.

The most serious of his controversies occurred in 2006, when he was accused of statutory rape. After meeting a 17-year-old girl while partying, he was accused of drinking alcohol with her and forcing her into sex by the girl and her parents.

He claimed the encounter was consensual, but ultimately faced no legal charges after settling with the young woman. He and his partner’s contracts with their agency were terminated and his partner went on to apologize for his actions on television.

These details were brought up in a recent post on a Korean forum, where many netizens expressed shock and disgust.

• She’s insane. She’s the same age as me, but to think she’s involved with someone old enough to be her dad—I can’t believe it. And he’s even a sex offender? Leaving behind someone like that’s genes is such a nuisance.
• Who introduced them? I’m pissed.
• Guys, it’s not just that—he’s older than Miki’s parents… not even ‘dad-aged’