A popular Japanese actor hired to be the healthy face of a low-alcohol beer was fired after he got drunk and broke into his neighbor's house, officials said.
Beverage giant Asahi Breweries commissioned Ryo Yoshizawa, who one fashion magazine described as having “the beauty of a national treasure,” to advertise its 3.5 percent Super Dry Dry Crystal beer.
But the 30-year-old, one of Japan's most popular actors, returned home on Dec. 30, possibly after drinking something stronger.
Yoshizawa was “drunk” and “accidentally sneaked into the apartment room next to him,” his talent agency To entertain said in a statement on Monday.
“I lost my memories. I think I just went in without asking because I wanted to use the bathroom,” police quoted Yoshizawa as saying in local media.
“We have decided to terminate the contract” with Yoshizawa, Asahi Group Holdings spokesman Shiori Shimizu told AFP on Tuesday.
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“As an alcoholic beverage company, we find his actions unacceptable,” Shimizu said. “We will no longer be using him in our future advertising.”
Yoshizawa apologized to his bewildered neighbor for “the great trouble he caused,” Amuse said, adding that the actor had already vacated the apartment.
According to Yoshizawa, he has about 80 credits IMDB. Last year, the actor starred in the role
a young man with deaf parents in the drama Living in Two Worlds, Japan Times informed.According to his Instagram page, his new movie “National Treasure” is scheduled to premiere on June 6, 2025.
According to Tokyo reporterYoshizawa's agency released a statement that read in part, “We would like to sincerely apologize to (Yoshizawa's) fans and related parties for the concern and inconvenience we have caused.”
As in other countries, Japan has seen a decline in alcohol consumption with a low percentage and soft drinks — and even abstinence — is growing in popularity, especially among young people.