Toma Ikuta leaves the former Johnny & Associates

Heidi Hsia

9 November 2023 at 2:13 am·1-min read

9 Nov - Two weeks after Kazunari Ninomiya left Johnny & Associates, the company lost another big name in the likes of actor Toma Ikuta.

On 7 November, the company, which is now using the name SMILE-UP, announced the news, saying that the "Hanazakari no Kimitachi e" actor will be leaving the company on 20 November.

"From now on, he will not be affiliated with the production company and other units, and will continue to act as a freelance actor. We want to inform fans and related people who have always supported Ikuta about this matter that we sincerely apologise," the company stated.

It also explained, "Currently, our company is gradually introducing the newly established company to its artistes and discussing future contracts. While discussing with the company, Ikuta re-examined his future career development blueprint and finally decided not to sign with the new company. The management contract and agency contract have led to the current conclusion."

Toma, who had been with the talent management company since he was 11 years old, also announced the news and thanked the management as well as fans who have been supporting his career all this time.

"From now on, I will be independent and continue to act as a freelance actor. I will improve myself even more. Please give me your continued support in the future," he added.

The company had undergone many changes since the past sexual abuses and paedopholia of late founder Johnny Kitagawa came to light.

The actor will be flying solo for the time being

(Photo Source: Post TV Asahi, Nante Japan)

CNN
An Indian woman accused her husband of forcing her to have ‘unnatural sex.’ A judge said that’s not a crime in marriage
An Indian judge has dismissed a woman’s complaint that her husband committed “unnatural sex,” because under Indian law it’s not illegal for a husband to force his wife to engage in sexual acts.
Yahoo News Singapore
LTA's 'new' ERP 2.0 is a bad idea, and the sooner that is acknowledged and accepted, the better
We already wasted money on ERP 2.0, but it's not too late to backtrack, says contributing editor Aloysius Low.
BBC
Woman arrested after baby has cardiac arrest at Legoland
The five-month-old baby boy is in a critical condition, police say.
KameraOne
Thai housekeeper inherits $2.7 MILLION following French employer's tragic suicide
A terminally ill French millionaire left her devoted Thai maid a staggering inheritance of 100 million THB (2.7 million USD) on her birthday before taking her own life. The emotional housekeeper grapples with grief, memories, and managing newfound wealth amidst the loss of her beloved employer and friend.
The Telegraph
Australian MP drugged and sexually assaulted on night out
Australian police have launched an investigation after Queensland MP Brittany Lauga said she was drugged and sexually assaulted.
HuffPost
'She Was So Rude, My Family Is No Longer Allowed To Listen To Her Music': 34 Of The Absolute Best And Worst Celebrities People Have Ever Met
"I went to shake her hand, and she looked me up and down and said, 'I don't shake hands,' then walked away."
INSIDER
I started having sex at 36. I missed out on years of self-discovery but I still don't regret waiting.
I didn't grow up religious but I subscribed to the purity plan. I feel inadequate when I started having sex with my partner.
Associated Press
Russia announces nuclear weapon drills after angry exchange with senior Western officials
Russia plans to hold drills simulating the use of tactical nuclear weapons, the Defense Ministry announced Monday, days after the Kremlin reacted angrily to comments by senior Western officials about the war in Ukraine. The drills are in response to “provocative statements and threats of certain Western officials regarding the Russian Federation,” the Defense Ministry said in a statement. It was the first time that Russia has publicly announced drills involving tactical nuclear weapons, though its strategic nuclear forces regularly hold exercises.
KameraOne
Got the coffee bug! Man finds hundreds of dead COCKROACHES in coffee machine
On April 28, a maintenance worker in the Thai province of Pathum Thani went to fix an espresso machine after the owners complained about experiencing difficulties with the device. To his horror, the worker discovered HUNDREDS of dead cockroaches crammed into a space inside.
The Daily Beast
Kim Kardashian Is Booed Relentlessly at Tom Brady’s Netflix Roast
NetflixReality star Kim Kardashian was clearly shocked to be booed onstage while making a special appearance at Tom Brady’s The Greatest Roast of all Time on Netflix Sunday. Kardashian, who also made a number of digs at Caitlyn Jenner, was called up from the crowd by presenter and comedian Kevin Hart to give a toast, and while she initially received some applause at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, it was quickly drowned out by a chorus of boos, forcing Kardashian to pause as she began her speech.“
Evening Standard
Man City: Pep Guardiola explains Erling Haaland touchline incident after substitution
Norwegian was visibly unhappy despite four-goal haul vs Wolves
The Guardian
‘It shows they care’: Ange Postecoglou defends Spurs duo after Anfield bust-up
Ange Postecoglou said the half-time row between Tottenham defenders Cristian Romero and Emerson Royal at Liverpool shows that the players care
People
Emily Blunt Says She Felt Sick After Kissing Certain Actors While Filming: 'I've Definitely Not Enjoyed Some of It'
The actress opened up about the challenges of finding chemistry with her costars during an appearance on 'The Howard Stern Show'
The Guardian
Manchester United have met with Jadon Sancho during loan, Erik ten Hag reveals
Manchester United have met with Jadon Sancho during his loan spell at Dortmund and Erik ten Hag is hopeful their conflict can be resolved
The Guardian
‘I’m not worried’: Arne Slot bids farewell to Feyenoord fans as Liverpool beckon
The Feyenoord manager waved to supporters in an apparent goodbye at the end of their 5-0 thrashing of PEC Zwolle in the Eredivisie
Barrons.com
‘We Lost Quite a Bit of Money.’ Berkshire Sold Entire Paramount Stake, Buffett Says.
Berkshire Hathaway has sold its entire stake in Paramount Global losing “quite a bit of money,” Berkshire CEO Warren Buffett said at the company’s annual meeting on Saturday. Buffett also shot down speculation that Ted Weschler or Todd Combs, who together run about 10% of Berkshire Hathaway’s equity portfolio, had purchased the Paramount stake, taking responsibility for the investment himself. “It was 100% my decision and we’ve sold it all and we lost quite a bit of money,” said Buffett.
Sky News
Benjamin Netanyahu rejects ceasefire demands that would 'leave Hamas intact' - as Israeli cabinet votes to close Al Jazeera office
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected ceasefire proposals because he says Hamas's call for a withdrawal of all troops from Gaza and an end to the war is unacceptable. Mr Netanyahu said agreeing such proposals would "leave Hamas intact" and leave the possibility of another attack in future. Mediated negotiations for a pause in the fighting in return for the release of hostages held by Hamas have been going on in Egypt, but a deal appears some way off.
Evening Standard
West Ham dismantled as David Moyes limbo leaves players to take their eyes off the ball
Hammers thrashed at Chelsea on sorry for day Scot
The Telegraph
China-France relationship should be model for the world, says Xi Jinping as he lands in Paris
China’s relationship with France should be a model for the world, said President Xi Jinping as he landed in Paris on Sunday.
INSIDER
Ukraine highlights Russia's 'line of hell.' Claim of dozens of tanks and military vehicles destroyed on one sector of the Donetsk front.
Fighting has intensified in the Donetsk region in recent months as Russia pushes to take more ground around Avdiivka.

Latest stories