Nishino Akihiro, the King Kong comedian who heads the company CHIMNEY TOWN, apologized on November 4 for past remarks he made about fellow entertainer Timedown Atsushi of the comedy duo Impulse, after a lawsuit against the actress Izumi Pinko brought similar language into the news.
Nishino, 46, posted the apology on X. He wrote that HumanPictures, the film production company, had sued Izumi, 79, in the Tokyo District Court for damages over remarks it says she made at stage greetings for its films "AYUMI" and "Yofu." HumanPictures announced the suit on November 3, saying the remarks came at a stage greeting on October 23.
Nishino said his company reviewed its past activity records and public statements after the reports. The review found that he had repeatedly made remarks to Timedown carrying the same meaning as those reported of Izumi, he wrote, citing "I don't want to stand next to him," "too fat" and "old hag."
He said he had checked with Nishino himself, who described the remarks as communication built on years of trust between comedians and as part of the humor that works within their relationship. Nishino wrote that mocking another person's appearance or physical traits is never acceptable, even between close friends.
“We deeply regret that our awareness of the seriousness of such remarks has until now been insufficient.”Nishino Akihiro, representative director, CHIMNEY TOWN
The statement said the company would keep Nishino and Timedown from appearing on the same stage, arranging venue flow and performer placement to manage it. It also said the company would keep providing Timedown with information and advice on suitable weight-loss methods.
The post closed with an apology to "Impulse's old hag" for discomfort and trouble caused by Nishino's remarks. It was dated November 4, 2026, and signed by Nishino as representative of CHIMNEY TOWN.
A postscript announced that "Impulse's old hag" had been added at short notice to a public recording of "Toshimura" at the Kawaguchiko Museum of Music and Forest on Saturday, November 14. It said arrangements were under way to keep Nishino and "the old hag" apart, and directed readers to the Chimuchike ticket service.
Replies to the post included "I was grinning as I read it," "I spat out my coffee" and "I was rolling with laughter." One called it "scandal-riding marketing."