NEWS' Keiichiro Koyama Will Not Return To "news every" After Underage Drinking Scandal

NEWS member Keiichiro Koyama will not be returning to the evening news program "news every.".

During the December 19 broadcast, a letter from Koyama was read which announced his decision to leave the program permanently.

"I am very thankful for everyone: the viewers, the cast, the staff, everyone. Thank you for letting me learn so many thing from the people I've covered. I am sad to be leaving news every., but I will use the experience gained during my 8 years with news every. for whatever I do in the future," Koyama said.

In June 2018, a report was published revealing Koyama and fellow NEWS member Shigeaki Kato had encouraged two underage women to drink alcohol at a party last winter. Koyama suspended his activities as a result of the controversy.

When Koyama returned from hiatus, he did not return to his position at "news every.". Despite not hosting for 6 months, he had not officially left the program.