Toei Fires Star Maya Imamori After Underage Drinking Scandal

Tokyo, Japan — Toei Company announced on November 8 that actress Maya Imamori, 19, has stepped down from her role in the TV Asahi tokusatsu series No.1 Sentai Gozyuger after being caught drinking alcohol, which is illegal for individuals under 20 in Japan.

In a statement released on their official website, Toei confirmed that Imamori’s behavior violated the country’s laws against underage drinking. They expressed their apology for the incident, stating, “We sincerely apologize for the great concern and inconvenience caused to viewers, sponsors, and everyone involved with the program.”

The issue was disclosed when Imamori’s agency reported her illegal drinking. Toei, in collaboration with TV Asahi, decided to terminate her appearance contract and remove her from the series. The company emphasized their commitment to strict compliance and announced plans to reinforce ethical standards among their cast and staff.

Imamori’s talent agency echoed Toei’s sentiments in their own statement, acknowledging the breach of contract and confirming her management contract has been terminated. They apologized to fans and pledged to enhance compliance education to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Maya Imamori, who gained fame as a gravure model and won the Grand Prix at Miss Magazine 2023, made history as the first female Black Ranger in the Super Sentai franchise. She expressed her dedication at a press conference earlier in January, stating her goal was to deliver an exceptional experience for viewers every week.

Following her scandal, Imamori took to Instagram to apologize for her actions. She admitted, “Drinking alcohol while underage is a shameful act… I am truly sorry.” In her statement, she vowed to reflect on her actions and said she would work to regain the trust of her fans and co-stars.