Japanese singer suspended over extra-marital affair

A veteran Japanese singer has been suspended by his agency after admitting to an extra-marital affair.

Johnny & Associates said Masahiko Kondo’s “thoughtless” behaviour deserved “strict punishment”.

The 56-year-old has since been barred from all work engagements.

It is common for public figures in Japan to face censure and strict penalties after an affair is exposed, but some people have questioned the professional repercussions of this.

Mr Kondo’s relationship was first reported by a gossip magazine last week.

Johnny & Associates, one of Japan’s most powerful talent agencies, said that as a married man Mr Kondo’s “behaviour was thoughtless” and “lacked awareness and a sense of responsibility”.

“After careful consideration we decided that strict punishment was needed,” it said in a statement.

Mr Kondo, who was a J-Pop idol in the 1980s, had apologised and offered to step back to reflect on his behaviour and “to become a better person”, the agency added.