Entrepreneur Takafumi Horie has come to the defense of former AKB48 member Tomomi Itano, who has faced online backlash twice in the past two weeks. In a video posted to his YouTube channel on September 6, Horie called Itano “a totally nice kid” and dismissed her critics, saying the backlash was “the kind of thing that comes from poor people’s jealousy.”
The first controversy began on August 26, when Itano appeared on the ABEMA variety show ‘Super Nobishiro Time by Kyou, Suki ni Narimashita’ and described her four-year-old daughter’s English-focused upbringing, including enrollment at an international school and the hiring of a foreign nanny. Itano said she also sends her daughter to a Japanese-language cram school, but revealed the girl has told her she doesn’t want to go and dislikes “Japanese school.” The comments split opinion on X, with users debating her parenting choices.
A second controversy followed on September 3, when Itano posted a YouTube video of a family trip with her husband, Tokyo Yakult Swallows pitcher Keiji Takahashi, and their daughter. The video included footage filmed in the changing area leading to the large communal bath at the luxury Ritz-Carlton Nikko hotel, prompting accusations of an etiquette violation. Itano responded on X on September 5, saying she had received special filming permission from the hotel. However, according to a Shukan Josei PRIME report published September 7, the hotel told the outlet that it does not grant filming permission in changing areas, citing both general etiquette and the law, contradicting Itano’s explanation. As of this report, the dispute remains unresolved.
Who is Tomomi Itano?
Tomomi Itano (板野友美) is a Japanese singer, actress, and television personality best known as a former member of the idol group AKB48, which she left in 2012 to pursue a solo career. She has since worked as a singer, model, and TV host, and married professional baseball pitcher Keiji Takahashi. The couple has one daughter.
Who is Takafumi Horie?
Takafumi Horie (堀江貴文), widely known by his nickname “Horiemon,” is a Japanese entrepreneur and internet personality who founded the IT company Livedoor. He has since become a prolific YouTuber and commentator, frequently weighing in on entertainment news and celebrity controversies to a large online following.
Author’s Comment
Ah yes, the classic Japanese internet formula: woman makes a lifestyle choice, woman films something in a slightly gray-area spot, woman gets dogpiled for a week. I’m not going to pretend the changing-room footage was a great idea, but Horie’s not wrong that a chunk of this pile-on is just people who’ve decided a former idol living a fancy, English-speaking, Ritz-Carlton life needs to be knocked down a peg. That said, calling your critics "poor and jealous" on YouTube is not exactly the de-escalation strategy of the year, Horie-san. Itano’s actual problem here is smaller and simpler than either side wants it to be: she said she had permission, the hotel says she didn’t, and now it’s a he-said-she-said with a five-star name attached. Watch that part resolve before you pick a side.
