Actor Yusuke Takemoto, known for his stage performances, took to his X on February 21 to apologize and announce his departure from ongoing stage productions. This comes after his contract was terminated by his agency, Star Ray Production, in January due to a controversy involving photos that surfaced on social media.

The photos, believed to have been shared by Takemoto and cosplayer Kokoro Shinozaki, included what appeared to be a marriage registration form, sparking a public uproar. In response to the scandal, Star Ray Production announced on January 18 that they had terminated Takemoto’s contract.

Takemoto expressed his deep regret for the situation and its impact on others:

"I sincerely apologize to everyone who has supported me, to everyone I’ve worked with, and to those who have been affected by this situation. I’m truly sorry for the inconvenience I’ve caused."

He further explained that after discussions with the parties involved, he would step down from all current roles:

"After talking things through with those concerned, I have decided to withdraw from all my current projects. I deeply apologize for the delay in sharing this with you in my own words."

Takemoto, who has garnered recognition for roles in musicals like The Prince of Tennis as Kuranosuke Shiraishi and Touken Ranbu as Nansen Ichimonji, confirmed that he would also be departing from the upcoming stage production Mo Dao Zu Shi: Kaikou Hen, which was scheduled for March and April.

The controversy has had a significant impact on Takemoto’s career, but his acknowledgment of the situation and apology reflect his desire to take responsibility and address the matter.