On September 11, Takeshi Hosomi, the lead vocalist of rock band ELLEGARDEN, took to his blog to address a recent incident that occurred during their live performance. The incident involved a case of molestation during the band’s concert at the TREASURE05X festival held in Gamagori, Aichi Prefecture, on September 7 and 8.

The victim, a female attendee, reported the molestation on social media, sparking public concern. Hosomi responded to this situation by issuing an apology and sharing his thoughts in a detailed statement.

“I deeply apologize to the person who was affected. After reading her post about how she tried to grab the molester’s hand and hand him over to security, I commend her bravery. However, I regret that the criminal was not apprehended and that we, including the event organizers, were unable to respond promptly. I am truly sorry,” Hosomi wrote.

He continued, expressing disappointment that such incidents have been reported frequently at live events recently, including their own. “It’s disheartening to know that such things happened at our concert. I don’t believe such individuals exist among our fans, but when a large crowd gathers, unfortunately, some truly despicable people get through.”

Hosomi acknowledged the difficulty for victims to speak out, particularly in an all-standing venue. He promised to discuss preventive measures with event organizers and production companies to address these issues, such as implementing hand signs and making announcements before concerts to raise awareness.

He also outlined a plan for dealing with perpetrators. “If molesters are identified, we will promptly hand them over to the police, add them to a blacklist, and share their information with other event organizers and bands. Naturally, such individuals will not be allowed to attend future events I organize.”

Finally, Hosomi urged for a supportive environment for the victim and hoped that they would be spared from baseless criticism and unkind words. “I sincerely hope that the victim’s emotional wounds heal as soon as possible,” he added.

The band’s commitment to addressing these serious issues reflects their dedication to ensuring a safer environment for their fans.