TOKYO (TR) – Richard Keita Kusama on Thursday announced that he is leaving the idol group Ae! Group after acknowledging that he has been “suffering from mental illness.”
Earlier today, Kusama posted a statement on his fan club website. “I have been suffering from mental illness for about a year, and this situation has arisen amidst all of that,” wrote Kusama. “I have made this decision because I feel that by continuing to be here, I will be holding everyone back and causing even more trouble.”
In October, Kusama was arrested in Shinjuku Ward on suspicion of exposing his genitals.
In a statement, Kusama’s agency, Starto Entertainment, announced that Kusama received a summary order to pay a fine of 100,000 yen from the Tokyo Summary Court over the incident.
Kusama joined Ae! Group in 2024. He also appears on variety shows and television dramas.
Starto Entertainment also said that Kusama will continue with his activities in the entertainment industry as contracted with the company.
Kusama wrote of his future, “From now on, I will reflect on what I have done and reexamine my actions, and move forward from scratch to regain trust.” He went on, “I will work hard to cure my mental illness so that I can meet you all again someday.”
