Mona Yamamoto

Mona Yamamoto suspends all activities after being seen with Giants' player at love hotel

Friday 11th July, 02:20 PM JST

TOKYO —

Celebrity Mona Yamamoto, 32, will suspend all activities following her latest scandal in which she was reportedly seen going to a love hotel with a Yomiuri Giants baseball player, her agent, Office Kitano, said Thursday.

Women’s magazine Josei Seven reported Thursday that Yamamoto went to a love hotel with Giants player Tomohiro Nioka, 32, who is married. According to the magazine, Yamamoto had dinner with Nioka after her first appearance as a presenter for Fuji TV’s new news program “Sakiyomi” last Sunday. The couple went to a love hotel together after dinner, the magazine said.

In an official comment released by her agent, Yamamoto said, “Because Nioka was very drunk and I didn’t want to make it a big deal, I decided to go to the love hotel to talk. We just had a drink there but didn’t do anything more. I apologize for choosing such an inappropriate place and that it led to a misunderstanding. I should have been more responsible for my actions.”

Nioka apologized after the Giants’ game on Thursday night, saying, “I was irresponsible. I sincerely apologize for causing trouble for Ms Yamamoto and those who are concerned as well as my fans.” The Giants have suspended him for the time being.

Meanwhile, Fuji TV said Friday that Yamamoto would not be returning to the program. A spokesperson for Fuji said, “We had great expectations for her as a news anchor. We really feel sorry about the scandal just after the launch of the new program, but it can’t be helped. We haven’t decided yet on her replacement. The program’s co-host, Toshihiro Ito, will handle things this week.”

Yamamoto’s agent said in its official comment that she will suspend all other activities which she is currently involved in, including programs on other TV and radio stations in addition to Fuji.

Yamamoto had just returned to news programs for the first time since she left TBS’s “NEWS23” after just five days in October, 2006, because of a scandal over her reported affair with a married DPJ politician.

Latest 15 of 70 Total Comments Show All

presto345 at 12:07 PM JST - 13th July

I'd TOTALLY have an innocent discussion with her in a love hotel.. maybe 2 or 3 discussions.

Absolutely :-)
sabinuki at 12:47 PM JST - 13th July

I'd TOTALLY have an innocent discussion with her in a love hotel.. maybe 2 or 3 discussions.

According to the hotel floor plan they were showing on tv the only place you could have discussion would be on the double bed, as there is not much else in the rooms. Would this be ok?
presto345 at 01:48 PM JST - 13th July

According to the hotel floor plan they were showing on tv the only place you could have discussion would be on the double bed, as there is not much else in the rooms. Would this be ok?

In an emergency this would do.
WilliB at 02:32 PM JST - 13th July

I don`t get it. If that is a scandal, then why only for her and not for him? I thought he is the one who is married, and not she??
spudman at 04:49 PM JST - 13th July

true willib double standards all through society and Japan Today is helping.
Triumvere at 06:27 PM JST - 13th July

How will she "avenge herself" now?
presto345 at 08:09 PM JST - 13th July

How will she "avenge herself" now?

Divulge some dirty secrets?
keyaki0907 at 12:07 AM JST - 14th July

I lived in Japan for 17 years. I DO NOT see why Japanese people are so outraged by this type of information. The Love Hotel Business is flourishing. Do Japanese people think it is not? Sure, the Giants player is married and that is bad for his wife. However, as far as Yamamoto getting fired for this, if she were in America, this would not even be an issue because it would not even hit the news. And she could sue the TV Station for illegal firing.
sabinuki at 12:30 AM JST - 14th July

I DO NOT see why Japanese people are so outraged by this type of information. The Love Hotel Business is flourishing. Do Japanese people think it is not?

Everybody knows it's there and what's going on. But they got caught. Then the media makes it a problem for their own purposes.

Don't get caught is pretty much the rule of the day in this so honorable land.
tokyotom at 07:54 AM JST - 14th July

step up to the mike mona, tell us more
Blue_Tiger at 05:49 AM JST - 15th July

Nioka has been suspended by the Giants, so it isn't just a one-way street for miss Yamamoto. Nioka's been punished also (and I cannot imagine what his wife's reaction is: she should leave his sorry kiester, as she has grounds)....
Damax6 at 12:32 PM JST - 15th July

married men always seem more appealing than single ones. some women love OPP,the satisfaction recieved after "getting" OPP was terrific, it the 2nd time she was caught, how many other times she did and the media didnt find out
lolitadoll at 04:09 PM JST - 16th July

omg...why..i want to know why she...

he is so unattractive!!!!

there are so many other attractive japanese men to choose from
helloklitty at 10:52 PM JST - 16th July

Damax6 at 12:32 PM JST - 15th July married men always seem more appealing than single ones. some women love OPP,the satisfaction recieved after "getting" OPP was terrific, it the 2nd time she was caught, how many other times she did and the media didnt find out

What does OPP stand for? Other people's ????

Yes, married men. As Alec Baldwin put it in The Departed, "Chicks love married guys because it means you've got money and your #### works."
antizombie at 12:31 PM JST - 17th July

What a double moral!! Maybe they should ban all love hotels in Japan. Why punishing only Yamamoto san? This country is really amazing.