Does Japan Only Punish Female Celebrities for Affairs?

After news of her affair broke, actress Hirosue Ryoko became jobless overnight. Is it indicative of a sexist double standard in Japan?

By Jay Allen

In the United States, a celebrity affair is often merely grist for the tabloids. In Japan, however, it can grind a celeb’s career to a halt.

No one’s finding that out harder right now than Hirosue Ryoko (広末涼子). Hirosue is facing the loss of job after job and enduring damage to her reputation. But does her “crime” have more to do with her gender?

Losing job after job

In brief: Hirosue, 42, is an actress who made her debut appearance at age 14. Since then, she’s appeared in a large number of TV dramas and movies. Her credits include 2010’s Ryomaden, about legendary historical figure Sakamoto Ryoma; and Himitsu, an adaptation of the eerie Higashino Keigo novel.

Hirosue is known for the “motherly” feel she brings to her roles. The Japan Mother’s Association even awarded her their Best Mother Award just last year.

But all hell broke loose for Hirosue last week when Bunshun Online reported that she was having an affair with famous chef Toba Shusaku (鳥羽周作). At…