Tomomi Itano faces backlash over hotel changing room filming

Former AKB48 member Tomomi Itano is facing intense social media backlash following a family travel vlog posted to her YouTube channel. The controversy centers on footage filmed in the changing area of a large public bath at The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko.

Itano initially claimed she had received “special filming permission” from the hotel. However, the hotel clarified that while general filming permission was granted for the premises, it did not extend to private areas such as changing rooms, which are typically off-limits due to privacy and security concerns. Reports suggest this may not be an isolated incident, as similar footage was allegedly filmed at the same location in May 2025.

The situation escalated when an account claiming to be Itano’s legal representative sent direct messages to critics, demanding the removal of posts within 24 hours under threat of legal action. The account subsequently deleted its posts and set its Facebook profile to private, leading to further scrutiny regarding the legitimacy of the legal threats.

Public figures have weighed in on the dispute. Entrepreneur Takafumi Horie defended Itano, suggesting the criticism was driven by resentment of her lifestyle, while others have criticized the perceived lack of public etiquette and the potential impact on her professional reputation.