From Affair to Apology: Ryoko Hirosue’s Journey Back to the Public Eye

Photos= Ryoko Hirosue social media, Film “Railroad Man”

Following her admission of an affair with a celebrity chef, Japanese actress Ryoko Hirosue (43) has made her first public appearance.

Ryoko Hirosue attended the launch of the 11th FaW TOKYO waste ZERO project REBORN by BIOTECHWORKS-H2 on April 17th.

This appearance comes after a period of privacy following her divorce from her husband, Candle Jun, and her departure from her agency. Fans last saw her greeting them at the “Hard Days” premiere in May of last year.

Hirosue arrived in a crisp white shirt and denim pants, a refreshing look for her return. She participated in the Kagamibiraki ceremony, a Japanese tradition that brings good health and fortune for the year ahead. While exchanging words with the event host, she occasionally offered a smile, hinting at a warm demeanor despite her time away from the spotlight.

Those who attended the event reportedly reacted with comments like “She’s still so beautiful,” “Her face is really small,” and “It’s nice to see her after such a long time.”

Last June, the Japanese weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun exposed Ryoko Hirosue’s affair with Toba Shusaku, a renowned French chef.

The affair between Hirosue and Shusaku was first exposed to the public in June when the two were spotted entering and exiting a hotel. The fact that both were married at the time caused social outrage.

The fallout continued on June 14th, when her agency suspended her activities indefinitely. Adding to the turmoil, she announced her divorce from her husband, Candle Jun, on July 23rd of that same year.

This February, Hirosue marked a fresh start by establishing her own agency. Taking responsibility for the prior year’s events, she expressed her regret through her company’s website, apologizing for the “concern and inconvenience” caused. The statement also hinted at a return to acting, declaring her intent to “dedicate herself to acting and take her work seriously.”

Ryoko Hirosue has been a popular actress in Japan since the 1990s, when she was known for her cutie pie image. She gained considerable popularity not only in Japan but also in Korea for her roles in films such as Railroad Man, Secret, and Collage of Our Life.