Takahira Kuruma of the comedy duo Reiwa Roman, renowned for their back-to-back wins at the M-1 Grand Prix, has announced that he will suspend his activities following his involvement in online gambling, as revealed in recent reports. This decision comes after his acknowledgment of the controversy and the resulting impact on his fans and the broader entertainment industry.

In a statement posted on his social media on February 19, Kuruma expressed deep regret for the distress caused by his actions. Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, he committed to using this time for self-reflection. "I deeply regret the situation and the harm it has caused to many people," Kuruma shared. "To take responsibility for my actions and reflect on them, I have decided to suspend my activities for the time being."

He also promised to make efforts to rebuild trust with his audience and colleagues. "I will work hard to regain your trust as soon as possible by reflecting deeply on my actions and improving myself," he added.

Kuruma’s comedy partner, Kemuri Matsui, also issued an apology. Matsui confirmed that he has not participated in online gambling and has not been questioned by authorities. He assured his supporters that he will continue with his career in entertainment.

The involvement of Kuruma in online gambling was made public on February 15 during a YouTube apology video, where he admitted to the truth of the reports and apologized for the public uproar.

Reiwa Roman, signed under Yoshimoto Kogyo, is currently facing scrutiny due to the alleged compliance violations. Some talents, including Kuruma, have been instructed to suspend their activities in response to the ongoing investigation.

Known for their remarkable success in comedy competitions, Reiwa Roman was originally formed in 2018 as Majin Bukotsu before rebranding. In addition to their M-1 Grand Prix victories in 2023 and 2024, Kuruma was also recognized in Forbes 30 Under 30 Japan 2024 for his contributions to future innovations.