Japanese Singer Fined and Dropped from Group After Public Nudity Scandal

On October 4, at approximately 5:30 a.m., Japanese singer Richard (real name Kusama Richard Keita, born 1996), formerly of the boy group Ae! Group, was found partially naked from the waist down near a building entrance.

Police were alerted by a witness, and the singer was taken to Mita Police Station. He was released two days later, publicly apologizing for his actions.

According to reports, Richard was reportedly intoxicated at the time. The incident caused shockwaves across social media in Asia, prompting his management company, STARTO Entertainment, to suspend him indefinitely from group activities.

On November 28, the Tokyo court ordered Richard to pay a fine of 100,000 yen for indecent behavior in public. In addition, he was officially removed from Ae! Group. Despite leaving the group, Richard may continue activities as a solo artist under STARTO Entertainment.

The scandal also affected the entire group. Many scheduled broadcasts featuring Ae! Group, including a key national TV variety show project, were canceled. A source in the Japanese entertainment industry commented, “Ae! Group had just begun building recognition through a major TV project. However, the scandal involving Richard dealt a severe blow to the group’s image. Although this was a personal matter, it negatively impacted all members.”

Richard, who has Japanese and African-American heritage, had previously gained attention through various entertainment programs in Japan. Following the incident, his management confirmed that the singer has been dealing with mental health issues related to the scandal.

Sources: K14