Leading 57-Year-Old Actor Charged With Physical And Emotional Harassment Of Well-Known 30-Year-Old Actress

Sato Jiroh is facing major harassment accusations from actress Hashimoto Ai.

The controversy began with a shock expose from Shukan Bunshun revealing the 57-year-old actor’s “爆弾ハラスメント” (serious harassment) toward the 30-year-old star during filming of Fuji TV’s drama Surname Confidential.

Reports detail multiple instances of unwanted physical contact, including Sato touching Hashimoto’s cheeks without consent. This reportedly started in April and continued even after the producer warned him. Lawyers called it “serious harassment.”

Sato Jiroh and Hashimoto Ai in Surname Confidential

The allegations sparked fury on social media. Fans and netizens condemned Sato, calling for boycotts of future projects involving him.

“we should seriously start boycotting any similar upcoming drama so they don’t dare to pair stinky old men with young actresses again”
— @neet21_

“This is sick! He even has been warned by the producer but still doing it?!? You are funny, Jiro-san, but harrasing someone even till she burst to tears is not funny! ”
— @arfebibots

“Damn , Japanese male celebrities never batting the allegations
i feel sorry for Ai Hashimoto; she must have felt terrified and scared
Fuck those male celebrities”
— @xsjwn

“what the actual fuck”
— @kentosday

橋本愛（30）が号泣した佐藤二朗（57）の“爆弾ハラスメント”「彼女の楽屋に乗り込み…」「発端はボディタッチ」https://t.co/7YIEF0gFxg #週刊文春
— 週刊文春 (@shukan_bunshun) July 1, 2026

Sato’s agency denied the claims, insisting no harassment occurred. Fuji TV reportedly conducted an investigation labeling the behavior as “not harassment.”