French newspaper criticizes Sho Sakurai’s appointment as Japan national rugby team ambassador in response to Johnny’s sexual assault issue | East Sports WEB

Ahead of the Rugby World Cup, which begins on the 8th, Sho Sakurai, who has been appointed as “Japan Rugby Ambassador 2023,” is receiving criticism in France, where the tournament is being held.

In May, Sakurai was appointed as the “Japan Rugby Ambassador 2023” to raise awareness of the Japanese national rugby team heading into the France World Cup. The period is until November 20th, after the World Cup, and they have appeared at various events with the aim of building excitement for the World Cup.

However, due to the sexual assault scandal at Johnny’s office, Sakurai’s appointment as an ambassador for France, the World Cup host country, is being questioned.

Le Monde, a major French newspaper, said, “The sexual abuse scandal within Johnny’s, Japan’s leading boy group agency, will be held during the World Cup, which will be held in France from September 8th to October 28th. He points out that Sakurai’s appointment will have an impact on the World Cup as well, saying, “This has the potential to become part of the “epic” of Japan’s rugby players.

The paper said of Sakurai, “He has been a member of Johnny’s Entertainment since the late 1990s and has also been active as a star presenter on Nippon Television programs,” adding, “Sakurai is suspected of being abused by the agency’s founder, Johnny Kitagawa. Despite this, Mr. Sakurai has never expressed real support for this man’s victims since the BBC exposed the scandal in March.” They denounced him as not being an appropriate ambassador for the World Cup.

Sakurai’s appointment as an ambassador has caused a ripple among fans, with some commenting on the internet saying, “We may not have expected this when we decided to use him, but it’s okay to use Johnny’s Sakurai-kun for the Rugby World Cup broadcast.” ??” “It’s kind of disturbing that Sakurai-kun is acting as the ambassador for the Japanese national rugby team without criticism.” “After the press conference, any decent company would terminate his contract with Johnny’s from working overseas. He’ll continue playing rugby.” “Major private insurance companies are also showing signs of removing Johnny’s talents from commercials. Even if it is in the form of tax breaks, Sakurai is a public interest incorporated foundation that operates with taxpayers’ money.” “Are we going to continue with him as an ambassador? Why don’t we reconsider it once, if not forever?” are being questioned one after another.

Since France is a country with a particularly strong awareness of human rights issues, Sakurai’s continued appointment as an ambassador is likely to have a ripple effect.