In a startling incident that sent shockwaves through the Japanese entertainment industry, two 25-year-old college students attacked a member of the idol group NGT48. The assault attempted to pin down the young woman, revealing serious issues within the idol group’s management. This troubling event was concealed for a month until Yamaguchi Maho bravely took to Twitter in January 2019 to share her experience, raising allegations of a cover-up by AKS, the management company behind NGT48.
Coerced Apologies and Organizational Strife
The day following her exposé, Yamaguchi, then just 23 years old, appeared at an NGT48 concert where she was pressured to apologize publicly for creating a “commotion.”However, she later disclosed on social media that this apology was not genuine, indicating it was enforced by AKS. Yamaguchi revealed that management threatened to have another member issue an apology on her behalf if she refused.
This scandal led to significant consequences for AKS, prompting numerous resignations and firings within the organization. In a bid to reestablish its public image, NGT48 announced the disbandment of its previous team structure, which consisted of Team N3 and Team G. Meanwhile, Yamaguchi distanced herself from the group entirely, erasing all references to NGT48 from her social media accounts. Following her lead, three other members also left their associations with the group.
Accusations Against Fellow Members
Yamaguchi further accused certain fellow NGT48 members of disclosing sensitive personal information, such as her address and schedule, to her assailants. During a livestream, she revealed that one of her attackers had originated from a neighboring apartment that allegedly belonged to a group member, complicating the narrative surrounding her ordeal.
As a result of the traumatic experience, Yamaguchi decided to terminate all performances with NGT48 and eventually departed from the group. In April 2019, AKS took legal action against the two aggressors. The lawsuit concluded with an out-of-court settlement in April 2020, in which the attackers consented to pay ¥2.4 million (approximately $15,624 USD) over five years.
Revitalizing Her Life and Career
Following her departure from NGT48, Yamaguchi embarked on a new path, delving into acting and modeling. She has appeared in various Japanese television dramas, including a notable role in “There Is A Reason Why You Cannot Get Married,” released in 2021. On platforms like Instagram, Yamaguchi actively engages with her followers by sharing insights into her personal and professional life, successfully reconstructing her image as an independent artist.
Today, six years after the harrowing attack, Yamaguchi Maho exemplifies resilience, having emerged from one of the most controversial episodes in Japanese idol history to establish a thriving solo career.
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