Toru Furuya, a famous 70-year-old voice-over actor in Japan, has scandalized his country by admitting to an affair with a fan 37 years younger than himself and coercing her into having an abortion. Furuya, known for dubbing popular characters such as Amuro Tooru in the Japanese detective manga series Sabot and leading roles in anime productions like Dragon Ball, saw his reputation tarnished after the revelations.
In mid-May, the Japanese weekly magazine Shūkan Bunshun exposed Furuya’s extramarital affair with a 33-year-old fan, which had been ongoing for four and a half years. The unidentified woman, captivated by the Amuro Tooru character voiced by Furuya, sent numerous letters and gifts and reached out to him on social media, where she posted photos of herself. Furuya responded in 2019, and they began dating.
When the woman became pregnant in 2021, Furuya urged her to have an abortion and assaulted her, according to the magazine’s report. On May 22, Furuya publicly apologized on the social networking platform X, admitting his misconduct. He explained that he was drawn to the fan’s support and initiated contact with her without hesitation. Their relationship ended in September last year, but during a heated argument, Furuya lost control and became violent. He also confessed to the “unforgivable act” of forcing her to terminate the pregnancy.
“I cannot apologize enough to all the fans who have supported me over many years, for betraying their trust, disappointing, hurting them, and tarnishing my character,” Furuya wrote in his statement on X. He expressed profound regret for his actions and pledged to spend the rest of his life repenting and making amends. “I am prepared to accept any punishment,” he added.
The scandal has captivated social media users in both Japan and China, where there are many Japanese manga enthusiasts. One observer on Weibo commented, “Who could imagine such an old man – the age of a grandpa – doing such gross things?” Another remarked, “My beloved Amuro did not offend anyone. He just lost his voice.”
Despite the outrage, some social media users acknowledged the appropriateness of Furuya’s public apology. “What he did was despicable and he needs to take responsibility for it, but this statement is exactly what he needed to do,” one person noted. Another suggested, “The best outcome would be for him to redirect a part of his pay towards helping this woman, at least for a few years. Courage to her.”
Furuya’s scandal has not only shocked fans but also sparked widespread discussions about accountability and the responsibilities of public figures. As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Furuya will make amends for his actions and whether he will regain the trust of his supporters.
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