GENERATIONS member Alan Shirahama, whose relationship with AKB48's Minami Minegishi caused a huge stir, has publicly apologized for his involvement in the widely publicized scandal.
Shirahama was present at a release event for GENERATIONS' 2nd single, "ANIMAL", at Yokohama BLITZ, which drew a crowd of around 1,500 people.
"I'm so sorry for the trouble I've caused. I will do my best from now on through several activities, so please continue to support me," he told the crowd.
Minegishi and Shirahama were involved in a scandal last week when Shunkan Bunshun published an article about and photos of the two spending the night together on January 17th. The scandal caught international attention when Minegishi shaved her head to repent for the trouble she had caused.
Shirahama was criticized by netizens when the singer's agency released a statement simply saying that what he does in his private life is for him to decide. Fans were offended that Shirahama didn't do more to show any remorse for Minegishi's situation.
| Real name | Minami Minegishi |
| Gender | female |
| Birthday | 15 November, 1992 |
| Debut | 8 December, 2005 (active) |
| Main occupation | singer/actress (active) |
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I don't think he needs to apologize but what kind of apology is that? Either say something like "I love her and if she never met me her life probably wouldn't be messed up now so I feel bad" or say "I don't feel that we did anything wrong." Or, say nothing because in a way then you're saying "It's my life and my business".
All I got out of that is that he doesn't want his job to suffer. What trouble is he sorry for? Hurting his lover, or making his fans jealous, or causing the people at his agency to get probably hundreds of phone calls? An apology should show that you have some idea of what you did wrong, and should mean that you regret it. If you don't regret it or think you were wrong, you can share your feelings about it without saying you are sorry. But just saying "sorry" because you want to get out of trouble is meaningless.
If you're going to speak up, have it be meaningful! Otherwise, keep your mouth shut and seem smarter.
I totally agree with you! I was pissed when I read this, I seriously hate the fact that she had to go through all the bad things and he didn't. I get the feeling that it is this way because she is a woman and all he can say it's a lame "apology" like that.
I'm No comment about him. but I pity with Minegishi more than someone
I guess it's ok that he apologized even though I don't see why he needed to. Fans are just that....fans. They don't have the right to make someone feel bad about doing something as natural as dating. Now I know what she did was wrong because of the contract she signed, but if a fan thinks that they deserve some kind of heartfelt apology from either one of them because of this, that fan needs to take a step back and contemplate there own life for a moment. The only people those two need to apologize to is each other and their respective groups who are caught up in this scandal because of them.
Oh, let me add. Off course he doesnt have to shave his had or anything dramatic. But an apology is a start.
First of all, let me say that I think it was her fault to begin with. And she is having to pay for that.
But, to those who think "he didn't break any rule" try looking in a law dictionary for the words "omission" and "negligence".
Besides that, to give a different example, imagine you have a partner (boyfriend/girlfriend). And that partner cheats on you. Who is at fault? Your partner had a agreement with you, and she/he broke it. The other one was single. Just because of that, it means that only your partner is at fault?
Come on people, try not to be so close-minded.
But that's just it. Yes, they were both at fault, so they have issues to work out with each other. But why would his company punish him? He didn't violate anything, didn't break any "law" to be "sent to jail" for. She did. And that's just it.
And regarding your boyfriend/girlfriend example, yes, your partner is not the only one at fault. But who really gives a damn about that other person (unless of course he/she was cheating with your friend). The only one that YOU would get to yell at and scream and and slap, etc is your partner... NOT the person he/she cheated with. It works the same way with record companies. AKB's record company isn't going to apprehend Shirahama because it's not within their boundaries to do so.
I never said that the company should punish him. I was just surprised by some comments implying that he has no fault at all.
What I was trying to say is that Minegishi's fans would obvsouly be mad at him (the boyfriend/girlfriend example). But, as you stated, with no rights to punish or demand anything. Nonetheless, Shirahama's fans can't act like "it's ok to make others break rules as long as they don't apply to you".
Let's not even weight the fact that the feeling of "responsability" in Japan is a little different from other countries.
Fans from both sides are thinking in a way that is not right. And that makes me worry more than any scandal.
Sorry for not being clear before.
this guy is so chat.
her fans are going overboard. Do they really expect him to apologize for her shaving her head and the girls company rules.
he didn't do anything wrong.
their only mistake was getting caught
I'm surprised so many people agreed with me. I respected him more before he apologized. He has nothing to apologize for. His private life is his business and by no reason should he do anything as extreme as Minamii.
and about the assumptions he didnt apologize to her, we dont know what he has said in private because thats what it is...private.
He doesn't have a no-dating rule, so he didn't do anytyhing wrong tbh.
LOL, he didn't break any rules. Why would he have to shave his head? Doesn't make any sense :/ I think it's important that since they were in a relationship, they work it out. They don't necessarily do it publicly, but I'm sure he's been in contact with her since. Honestly, it takes two people. So she is certainly at fault too. Furthermore, she broke the rules. He didn't sign her contract. I don't think he should be apprehended for not breaking rules. That doesn't make any sense.
ah.. why not shaved his head like miichan :v
I'm glad he apologized.
I agree with rockdaisy. Apologizing to the public is meaningless and unnecessary. In fact, I would have respected him more for not knuckling under and apologizing for stupid people's stupid feelings of entitlement over an idol. What's important here is that he supports Miichan and tries to make things easier on her in whatever way he can.
Personally I think that no matter what agency you are in the company still owns you cause of the contract you signed and agreed to. I think his apology was more for this publicist's comment more than anything. I mean come on "sorry we let him have a personal life" type of comment after someone just got demoted and shaved her head? that's a bit harsh.
I think as long as he gives a sincere private apology to HER that's all that matters.
oh what a stupid world, why they do that with people... and say that in civilized world there are no slaves
Dont worry Alan kun we forgive u but i dont think u had to really apologize because LDH lets u date, and stop hating on Alan guys
seriously... i totally agree with u, everybody get off his nuts man