timelesz members apologize following Shuto Inomata arrest

Members of the Japanese idol group timelesz, Shori Sato and Yoshihiko Hara, issued their first public verbal apology on a radio broadcast following the arrest of group member Shuto Inomata. Inomata was arrested on September 19 on suspicion of assault after an alleged altercation with a woman in a parking lot in Koto Ward, Tokyo. While Inomata has denied punching the woman, claiming only physical contact occurred, the incident has led to significant fallout.

During the broadcast, Sato expressed concern for the victim and apologized for the distress caused to fans and stakeholders. However, the apology received mixed reactions from fans on social media, with some criticizing the remarks as sounding scripted or too similar to comments previously made by a junior group member from ACEes.

In response to the incident, STARTO ENTERTAINMENT has suspended Inomata’s activities pending further investigation. Several commercial partners, including ABC-MART and Nissin Foods, have already removed promotional materials featuring the group or Inomata from their websites and official channels.