Kei Kosugi’s management side seeks ¥162 million from Nakayama Kinnikun

Kei Kosugi’s management side is seeking ¥162 million from comedian Nakayama Kinnikun in a lawsuit over financial troubles involving a former manager.

The former manager, Iio, has been accused in media reports of using fictitious deals to obtain kickbacks and raising money by falsely using Kinnikun’s name.

Kosugi’s side says Kinnikun offered to cover about half the losses the day after Iio disappeared, in front of several people.

It says Kinnikun later stopped communicating and did not apologize.

Kinnikun’s company denies that account and says it cannot comment in detail while the case is being heard.

The dispute matters because the lawsuit could affect Kinnikun’s public image and business deals, including advertising work, according to an entertainment industry source.

The case is still being heard, and no further outcome is given.