Japanese Pop Idol Apologizes After Being Allegedly Attacked [Updated]

Maho Yamaguchi is a member of Niigata-based idol group NGT48, a sister group of AKB48. Two men have been arrested for allegedly assaulting her. Yet tonight, it was Yamaguchi who apologized.

Update Jan. 15 – 6:30 am: On Monday, an AKS official for NGT48’s parent company apologized this week, saying that the reason why it hadn’t spoken in public prior was due to the police investigation. The official also announced that an NGT48 manager had been replaced. AKS has confirmed that a member of NGT48 helped the attackers but added that nothing illegal happened.

Japanese TV news did a recreation of the alleged attack. 

https://twitter.com/embed/status/1084900380029394944

Update #2 March 26 – 7:00 am: An internal investigation apparently showed that no other members of NGT48 were involved in the attack on Maho Yamaguchi. “Why are they continuously telling lies?” Yamaguchi wrote on Twitter (via Tokyo Reporter). “I’m really sad.” Yamaguchi also alleged that if she had not apologized, she was told other members would read a prepared statement on her behalf.

The original story, which was first published on January 15, 2019, continues below.

Run by a talent company known as AKS, AKB48 is one of Japan’s most successful idol groups with numerous spin-off groups, including NGT48 of which Yamaguchi, whom fans call “Mahohon,” belongs. Each of the groups has a massive amount of members—hence, the 48 number.

NHK reports that on December 8, two men, both in their mid-20s, allegedly grabbed her face, assaulting Yamaguchi at her home’s entrance

https://t.co/7W9rSpXYBs
NHK, has covered the story on Maho Yamaguchi of #NGT48 They’ve seemed to have corroborated with police and confirmed some things. AKS has refused comment. I’ve translated below for fans interested.
❌no official report says specifically sexual assault. pic.twitter.com/gKCyh8ww6S

— Amina (@Amina_io) January 9, 2019

The two men said they “just wanted to talk with her.” They denied the assault and were later released without charge. Japan’s Daily Sports reports that it was told Yamaguchi screamed with surprise when she saw the men, causing them to cover her mouth. A police officer, the paper adds, rushed to the scene.

Yamaguchi’s account of what happened is terrifying (translation by @jeauexe):

tw: assault

reading her account of the attack scared the shit out of me people really need to be punished and held responsible with lasting consequences for this. like holy fucking shit. pic.twitter.com/pvsRiMOHjg

— sarah (@jeauexe) January 9, 2019

Earlier this week, Yamaguchi spoke about what happened in an online stream, saying she thought she could have been killed. You can watch below, but it suddenly stops while she was speaking

https://twitter.com/embed/status/1082653573547257856

Here is a translation by @ithebigc of the speech:

Yamaguchi Maho's SHOWROOM, full translation #山口真帆 #NGT48

I think this hits home for me not b/c it's the 48G, but b/c the type of serious idol she describes is Sakura, someone who has fun but is diligent about her responsibilities. Thank God HKT has good managers & no snakes pic.twitter.com/8SOQukFiGq

— ithebigc（ケリー） (@ithebigc) January 9, 2019

As website Asian Junkie (via tipster Oxhex) points out, Yamaguchi had also discussed the incident on Twitter, alleging that a fellow group member had given out her home address and told the men when she would arrive. Yamaguchi accused the group’s management of covering up the incident.

Here are some translations of her tweets by @fryan_get

I translated mahohon's tweets about this pic.twitter.com/iV4IwSKFFp

— ryan@choopah cobbler👻 (@fryan_get) January 8, 2019

According to Daily Sports, NGT48’s management denies that another group member gave out Yamaguchi’s home address

Maho Yamaguchi should not have to apologize for getting assaulted.

I accept this apology as in not burning more bridges to keep getting jobs, but never ever should this be an apology for the attacker, the management or the leaker. pic.twitter.com/zGu9Duclos

— Mimiko ♥ (@mimiko_kupo) January 10, 2019

Tonight, Yamaguchi went on stage and apologized for “causing trouble,” bowing several times before a packed crowd

https://twitter.com/embed/status/1083317619946483712

Apologies are called for, but not from her.