TOKYO (TR) – Following revelations that Ryo Yoshizawa was undergoing questioning for allegedly trespassing into the residence of a neighbor while drunk, Asahi Breweries, Ltd. has announced the termination of its contract with the actor.
Yoshizawa had been a pitchman for the brewery’s Asahi Super Dry Dry Crystal brand. On Tuesday, the public relations department told Sports Hochi, “As a maker of alcoholic beverages, we cannot accept these facts.” “We will not be developing advertisements featuring Ryo Yoshizawa in the future. We will also be terminating the contract midway.”
At around 10:30 a.m. on December 30, a resident of a building in Minato Ward called police to report that a neighbor had broken into their apartment without permission.
Yoshizawa lives next door. During questioning, he said, “I was drunk and my memory is unclear.” He added, “I just went in because I wanted to go to the bathroom.”
Yoshizawa had been drinking with friends since the night before. Police believe Yoshizawa accidentally entered the apartment next door while drunk.
By Tuesday night, Asahi had removed all content referring Yoshizawa from its web site.
Already moved out
On Monday, the actor’s agency confirmed the facts of the incident on its official website and apologized. It added that Yoshizawa has already moved out of the apartment.
Regarding what transpired on the day of the incident, it said that Yoshizawa “was able to enter because the front door to the next apartment unlocked.” They denied that they stayed there for about five minutes. “He did not break the lock or the door or pretend to be a third party,” it said.
On January 21, Yoshizawa is scheduled to attend the preview screening of “Baban Baban Ban Vampire.” Directed by Shinji Hamasaki, the film stars Yoshizawa as 450-year-old vampire Ranmaru Mori. It opens in theaters on February 14.
