Kyoko Fukada in the new TV ad.
Image from Kirin Brewery.

Kirin replaces Koda with Fukada for TV ad

Friday 16th May, 07:00 AM JST

TOKYO —

Kirin Brewery Corp has canceled its contract with singer Kumi Koda, 25, for its TV ad for the alcoholic drink “Hyoketsu,” and will instead use actress Kyoko Fukada, 25.

A Kirin spokesman said: “The contract with her was originally valid until this spring, and we have decided not to renew it.” Kirin has already suspended its earlier TV ads featuring Koda ever since she told a radio program on Jan 30 that “women over 35 had ‘rotten’ fluid in their wombs.”

The new TV ad with Fukada started airing on Wednesday.

Latest 15 of 22 Total Comments Show All

LFRAgain at 01:16 PM JST - 16th May

rjd_jr,

I beg to differ. Within recent memory politicians have made remarks about women and giving birth that were as offensive or worse. Just off the top of my head, I can recall a comment made by Abe's former health minister Yanagisawa saying that women were baby-making machines. Another politician declared that women who don't reproduce were worthless to society and thus should not be entitled to a pension upon retirement. Neither of these men was replaced. They got verbal rebukes, and that was it. In the meantime, Koda says what she said, and her licensing deals disappear faster than you can say misappropriated pension funds. We’re talking about her livelihood slipping away while politicians who make similar statements remain in power and continue to influence public policy. I think that’s a sad statement about the degree of apathy many Japanese have for their political process.

This sort of phenomenon does not seem to occur in other countries to the degree that it does in Japan. As I see it, a celebrity in another country makes an off-color comment and their celebrity increases. Politicians? They are forced to either resign or get trounced at re-election time. If you believe otherwise, then prove me wrong with an example.
DigitalMirai at 01:44 PM JST - 16th May

LFRAgain the answers are blatantly obvious in your statements. These politicians who influence public opinion are male chauvinists and as Japan is a male dominated society, they are forgiven for their ignorance. But if a female makes similarly stupid remakes, she is outcast by these same chauvinistic bastards. A true example of the double standards that occur here. However, I am in no way defending Koda Kumi, I just happen to know her personally and with her fame she has grown more and more obnoxious and rude, it's about time she gets taken down a notch (or two).
presto345 at 01:56 PM JST - 16th May

she told a radio program on Jan 30 that “women over 35 had ‘rotten’ fluid in their wombs.”

I like women who have the guts to speak their minds in this male chauvinist dominated society and not fearing the consequences. And these uptight Kirin people take themselves too seriously. For me they can forget about the CM's. I'll have Ebi$u any time.
capone at 04:44 PM JST - 16th May

rjd you missed the point...again...the point being, the japanese populace doesn't scream for politicians to resign when they do or say incredibly stupid things, and they even go so far as to re-elect (if you can even call it that) some of the old toads who left office in disgrace years back...but when a celeb says something off-color they show less forgiveness
akuma1985 at 05:05 PM JST - 16th May

It's stupid. but it's right than 35 y.o women's fluid is rotten. what's wrong with it? if they want replace Koda kumi maybe kirin can choose better than fukuda.
capone at 05:09 PM JST - 16th May

here's a hint for Kirin: you want better sales, make better beeru
akuma1985 at 05:15 PM JST - 16th May

Why fukada she's just a fat idol who change her face every season. what's mean ?? drink kirin and being fat ?
blvtzpk at 05:40 PM JST - 16th May

"Fukakyon" has a slightly less sluttier image than Koda Kumi

Bit I LIKE pitches for my beery drinks slutty!!! Not happy!
presto345 at 07:15 PM JST - 16th May

It's stupid. but it's right than 35 y.o women's fluid is rotten. what's wrong with it? if they want replace Koda kumi maybe kirin can choose better than fukuda.

I'm not sure, no, I am sure I don't understand this :-(
yabits at 08:49 PM JST - 16th May

Moral of story: If you're going to hawk beverages, it's best not to be quoted as saying anything about "rotten fluids." Of course, there may be a way to spin this into a pitch for health drinks to freshen up those rotting fluids. Perhaps rainwater and pure grain alcohol -- wink, wink.
Sarge at 08:59 PM JST - 16th May

Why not? Kyoko's at least as cute as Kumi.
smithinjapan at 10:56 PM JST - 16th May

Akuma: "It's stupid. but it's right than 35 y.o women's fluid is rotten. what's wrong with it? if they want replace Koda kumi maybe kirin can choose better than fukuda."

That may be a hit at the soap-lands and 'health salons', but I doubt you utter it at home (well, assuming you're even married or have a girlfriend). I'd like to see you say this face to face with a 35 year old unmarried woman and keep your body parts intact.

My point is it's a disgusting comment Koda deserves to lose her contracts/not have them renewed. Celebrities, and yes, politicians, have a responsibility to think a little bit before opening their mouths and letting 'rotten fluids' spew forth.
romulus3 at 11:57 AM JST - 17th May

“women over 35 had ‘rotten’ fluid in their wombs.”

only if they drink “Hyoketsu”
Ninjazilla at 03:59 PM JST - 17th May

fukuda is nothing special,no wonder Hoshino Aki is 30,31 and still popular with competition like this
presto345 at 01:23 AM JST - 18th May

Fukuda is nothing special,no wonder Hoshino Aki is 30,31 and still popular with competition like this

Bwahhahha! This says it all :-)