On December 8, 2018, Japanese idol Yamaguchi Maho, a member of Niigata girl group NGT48, suffered a terrifying assault by two male “fans” who ambushed her at the entrance to her apartment. The two men, both 25-year-old university students, grabbed her face and attempted to restrain her.
This shocking incident kicked off a chain of controversies surrounding NGT48 and its management company, AKS. The attack, initially kept under wraps for a month, came to light in January 2019 when Yamaguchi bravely spoke out on Twitter, revealing the details and accusing the group’s management of a cover-up.
Forced apologies and internal turmoil
The day after her revelation, Yamaguchi, then 23, appeared at an NGT48 performance to apologize to fans for “causing a commotion.” However, he later tweeted that this apology was forced by the group’s management. Yamaguchi said she was threatened to have another member deliver a written apology on her behalf if she refused to apologize publicly.
The scandal caused major upheaval at AKS, leading to multiple resignations and firings. In an attempt to rebrand, NGT48 announced that it would disband its intragroup team structure, previously divided into Team N3 and Team G. Yamaguchi, who served as Team G’s subcaptain, had already distanced himself from the group, removing all mention of NGT48 from his social media. Three other members of Team G followed suit.
Accusations against fellow members
Yamaguchi accused other NGT48 members of disclosing personal details, including his address and schedule, to his attackers. He also revealed during a live stream that one of his attackers emerged from a nearby apartment, who was linked to a member of the group. The live stream was cut short, but Yamaguchi continued to share his story on Twitter, amplifying the public outcry against management’s negligence.
Following the accident, Yamaguchi ceased all performances with NGT48 and eventually left the group. In April 2019, AKS filed a civil lawsuit against the two attackers, which resulted in an out-of-court settlement in April 2020. The attackers agreed to pay 2.4 million yen (about $15,624) over five years.
Rebuilding his life and career
After leaving NGT48, Yamaguchi pursued a solo career, moving into acting and modeling. She has since appeared in several Japanese television series, including “There’s a Reason You Can’t Get Married” in 2021. On Instagram, Yamaguchi shares glimpses into her personal and professional life, connecting with fans and rebuilding her image as a independent artist.
Six years after the attack, Yamaguchi Maho is a symbol of resilience, having overcome one of the most controversial incidents in Japanese idol history to carve out a successful solo career.
Source: Camino
