tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19102969.post-89023753161604984622007-06-04T15:17:00.000-07:002007-06-19T04:58:22.202-07:00<!-- / icon and title --> The big news in the Japanese voice-acting industry these days is a huge scandal involving one of the most important men in the industry, <a href="http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%9D%BE%E7%94%B0%E5%92%B2%E5%AF%A6" target="_blank">Matsuda Sakumi</a>, who has been arrested on a charge of "lewd behavior toward a minor" in regard to a 16-year-old aspiring <i>seiyuu</i>.<br /><br />Matsuda is the head of two of the biggest <i>seiyuu </i>agencies, <a href="http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%A2%E3%83%BC%E3%83%84%E3%83%93%E3%82%B8%E3%83%A7%E3%83%B3" target="_blank">Arts Vision</a> and <a href="http://www.imenterprise.jp/" target="_blank">I"m Enterprise</a> and of the most famous <i>seiyuu </i>training school, <a href="http://www.nichinare.co.jp/" target="_blank">Nihon Narration</a>. The charges concern incidents during the final acceptance interview in April of a 16-year-old girl who had passed an audition last December.<br /><br />The arrest has led to a wave of fury from<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>fans, who say it damages the reputations of other <i>seiyuu </i>and demand something be done about "sexual harassment, power harassment, and 'pillow business'" in the industry.<br /><br />All three companies' websites have been shut down, with messages apologizing to fans and saying that Mr. Matsuda's resignation has been accepted. The messages make a point of saying the incident does not concern any other <i>seiyuu.</i> The messages name new managing directors and say they will work to "raise all employees' consciousness about following laws and regulations."<br /><br />The rosters of Arts Vision and I"m Enterprise read like a who's who of voice acting. Arts Vision: Asano Masumi, Horie Yui, Fujita Saki, Kuwatani Natsuko, Mizuhashi Kaori, et al. I"m Enterprise: Ueda Kana, Tamura Yukari, Saitou Chiwa, Takahashi Mikako, Nakahara Mai, Yamamoto Maria, Yahagi Sayuri, Honda Youko, Morinaga Rika, Kugimiya Rie, et al.<br /><br />There is <a href="http://wiki.livedoor.jp/tasogare100/d/FrontPage" target="_blank">a wiki</a> in Japanese, collecting information about the situation. There is an article in English on <a href="http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-05-28/av-chairman-arrested">Anime News Network</a>. The situation is also being discussed in English on <a href="http://forums.animesuki.com/showthread.php?t=48327">AnimeSuki</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/19102969-8902375316160498462?l=hashihime.blogspot.com'/></div>hashihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14388353219014042525noreply@blogger.com6