The woman who hosted the stage greeting at the center of HumanPictures' lawsuit against actress Izumi Pinko said she will pursue legal action against Izumi as a plaintiff herself, Nikkan Sports reported.
The host, businesswoman and author Barudo Nesan, made the announcement in an Instagram post. "I am the one who got down on my knees and bowed to Izumi Pinko that day," she wrote.
HumanPictures, a film production company headed by Kazuhiro Teranishi, said it filed suit against Izumi, 79, at the Tokyo District Court on November 2. The case concerns her conduct at an October 23 stage greeting for the company's films "AYUMI" and "Yofu."
In its statement, the company said Izumi insulted customers from the stage, calling one "babaa" — a derogatory term for an old woman. It said such remarks hurt customers' dignity and could not be tolerated.
The company also cited Izumi's remarks about appearing at the greeting, including "I'm going home," "I won't go out," "I won't stand in line with them" and "I'm a huge veteran." The person who took the stage ultimately bowed to the floor.
HumanPictures said the remarks, which stressed her own standing, could be taken as intimidation that applies strong psychological pressure. It called them serious acts that may amount to power harassment — the abuse of a superior's position — and said it could not overlook them.
Izumi had not issued a public response to the company's claims on her official website or social media accounts, according to reports.
'I wanted to liven up the venue'
Barudo Nesan wrote that she spoke about the events at the greeting as a party involved after being interviewed by the weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun. She said she still cannot forget that day.
She wrote that many of her fans and people connected to the films came to the greetings for both works, about 50 for each, and that she wanted them to enjoy the event.
"I wanted to liven up the venue as host with everything I had," she wrote. "But I couldn't host the way I wanted to. I was truly sorry and sad."
“From now on I intend to pursue legal procedures myself as a plaintiff. I want to face what happened properly.”Barudo Nesan, host and author, in an Instagram post
She made the same remarks in a short video posted with the message.
Barudo Nesan is an author and businesswoman who plays herself in a drama series based on her own turbulent life, "Barudo Nesan: Won't You Take a Peek Into Hell?" Its website says the streaming and release date will be announced later. Izumi is also among the cast, according to the site. Teranishi has published a nonfiction book about her life.
HumanPictures is headed by Teranishi, who also works as a novelist and film director. He directed both "AYUMI" and "Yofu," which star actor and singer-songwriter Yuma Teranishi. Izumi appears in both films.