Hirofumi Arai

2.1. Birth and family

Hirofumi Arai was born on January 18, 1979, in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, Japan. His birth name is Park Kyung-sik (박경식^Korean), though he is also known by his Korean name Park Kyung-bae (박경배^Korean). He is a third-generation Zainichi Korean.

2.2. Zainichi Korean identity and citizenship

Arai's identity as a Zainichi Korean shaped parts of his life and career. He held Chōsen-seki (Korean nationality without a state, often referring to North Korea in a historical context) citizenship until 2005. In 2005, he officially changed his citizenship to South Korean. He has expressed a continuous interest in being involved with films that explore issues related to Koreans in Japan.

2.3. Education and early activities

Arai began playing table tennis in the fourth grade of elementary school and competed in national tournaments during his high school years. He graduated from Aomori Prefectural Hirosaki Jitsugyo High School. After high school, he aspired to attend the Japan Institute of the Moving Image, but his teachers reportedly advised against recommending him due to frequent tardiness, leading him to abandon this path. With a vague desire to become famous, Arai moved to Tokyo at the age of 19. While there, he met film producer and director Genjiro Arato at a street stall in Kamimachi and subsequently became an apprentice to actress Michiyo Okusu, marking the beginning of his journey into the entertainment industry.

3.1. Early career and debut

Hirofumi Arai made his screen debut in 2001 at the age of 22 in Isao Yukisada's film Go. His next significant role came in 2002 when he co-starred with Ryuhei Matsuda in Toshiaki Toyoda's Blue Spring, where he portrayed Aoki, an emotionally disturbed high school student. His performance in Blue Spring earned him the Best New Actor award at the 17th Takasaki Film Festival in 2003. In 2005, he took on his first solo starring role in the film The Whispering of the Gods (also known as Germanium no Yoru), in which he also performed his first nude scene. Arai made his international film debut in 2011 in the Russian-German co-production A Yakuza's Daughter Never Cries (also known as Yakuza Girl).

3.2. Major film roles

Arai appeared in numerous notable films throughout his career. In 2012, he starred in Takeshi Kitano's crime film Outrage Beyond, which earned him the Actor Award at the 22nd Tokyo Sports Film Award. Other significant film appearances include:

• Josee, the Tiger and the Fish (2003)
• Blood and Bones (2004)
• Sway (2006)
• The Matsugane Potshot Affair (2007)
• Confessions (2010)
• Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai (2011)
• Helter Skelter (2012)
• Ushijima the Loan Shark (2012)
• The Ravine of Goodbye (2013)
• The Eternal Zero (2013)
• 100 Yen Love (2014)
• Love's Whirlpool (2014)
• Parasyte: Part 2 (2015)
• Bakuman (2015)
• Gintama (2017)
• The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. (2017)

3.3. Television appearances

Arai's television career included both dramas and other programs, leading to broader public recognition. In 2011, he co-starred as Detective Kazuhiko Soga in the crime thriller TV movie Douki. In 2012, his role as Asano Hayao in the NHK drama Kaitakusha-tachi brought him wider public recognition. He appeared in various other television dramas, such as:

• Penance (2012)
• Going My Home (2012)
• Shoten'in Michiru no Mi no ue Banashi (2013)
• Nobunaga Concerto (2014) as Saito Yoshitatsu
• I'm Home (2015)
• Do Konjo Gaeru (2015), where his performance as Gorillaimo and his song "Gorilla Pan no Uta" (Gorilla Bread Song) became a hit, leading to a single CD release.
• Shitamachi Rocket (2015)
• Sanada Maru (2016), a Taiga drama, where he played Katō Kiyomasa.
• Busujima Yuriko no Sekirara Nikki (2016)
• Totto TV (2016)
• Haikei, Minpaku-sama (2016)
• Shukatsu Kazoku: Kitto, Umaku Iku (2017)
• Frankenstein no Koi (2017)
• Monte Cristo Hakushaku -Karei Naru Fukushuu- (2018)
• Kyo Kara Ore Wa!! (2018)

3.4. Stage and other media activities

Beyond film and television, Arai expanded his activities into various other media. He made his stage debut in 2013 in THE SHAMPOO HAT's production of Katsuragi Jiken, playing the role of Minoru Katsuragi. He also lent his voice to animated characters, notably as Rhya in the TV anime Black Clover from 2018. The character Rhya was designed based on Arai's likeness, and Arai himself provided the initial voice acting.

His other media engagements include:

• Web dramas**: Prison Officer (2015), Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories (2016).
• Radio dramas**: Meiso Runner (2003), Revolution No.3 (2003).
• Informational programs**: As a navigator for Utsukushiki Sakenomitachi (2012-2018) on BS Fuji, and as narrator for Nonfiction W (2014) and the Setouchi Housekibako series (2018) on NHK.
• Commercials (CMs)**: Including campaigns for Daiwa House (2006), Recruit RIKUNABI NEXT (2007), Kirin Beverage FIRE (2008), Suntory Oolong Tea (2010), JR East "MY FIRST AOMORI" (2010), NTT Docomo (2011-2012), Meiji Milk Chocolate (2012), Life Card V-Preca (2013), Samzape Sengoku Enbu -KIZNA- (2014), Japan Lottery Association Loto 7 (2014), Georgia "Emerald Mountain Blend" (2017), and Ezaki Glico Cheeza (2017).
• Music videos (PVs)**: He appeared in music videos for artists such as Dragon Ash ("Tsunagari Sunset," 2008), STOROBOY ("METROPOLIS," 2012), JUJU ("Distance," 2013), Not yet ("Sekai no Kaze wo Bokura wa Ukete," 2014), back number ("reunion"), ACIDMAN ("Ai wo Ryote ni"), and Kazuyoshi Saito ("Iden").

3.5. Acting style and public image

Arai was known for his intense gaze and strong-willed appearance, which often led him to be cast in roles as criminals or delinquents early in his career. However, by the mid-2010s, with growing public recognition, he expanded his range to include a wider variety of characters such as detectives, teachers, and engineers. Despite his intimidating on-screen persona, Arai was known for his natural and down-to-earth demeanor in interviews and public appearances. He actively engaged with his fans, frequently interacting with them on social media. There are anecdotes of him personally relaying fan requests for local stage greetings to film companies and even organizing events where he would treat DVD purchasers to yakiniku, demonstrating a strong commitment to fan service. He often used "uchi" (うち^Japanese) as his first-person pronoun in casual settings like Twitter.

4.1. Interests and hobbies

Arai held a keen interest in gambling, with Pachinko and Mahjong being among his preferred leisure activities.

4.2. Relationships

In 2007, the Japanese media outlet Tokyograph reported that Arai had entered a "serious relationship" with singer Miu Sakamoto. Sakamoto is the eldest daughter of renowned musician Ryuichi Sakamoto and singer-songwriter Akiko Yano. The couple reportedly began dating after meeting during a television talk show in 2006.

5.1. Arrest for sexual assault

On February 1, 2019, Hirofumi Arai was arrested by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department on suspicion of sexual assault. The alleged incident occurred on July 1, 2018, at his home apartment in Sangenjaya, Setagaya Ward. A female employee from an outcall massage service reported that Arai assaulted her while she was providing an oil massage, during which he was wearing only paper underwear. Following his arrest, his talent agency, Anore Inc., terminated his contract on February 5, 2019, which effectively led to his expulsion from the entertainment industry. Anore Inc. was a talent agency founded in 1996 by actor Tadanobu Asano, his father Yukihisa Sato, and his musician brother Kujun Sato.

5.2. Trial and legal proceedings

On February 21, 2019, Arai was formally indicted for sexual assault by the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office. At his first public hearing at the Tokyo District Court on September 2, Arai offered an apology to the female employee before entering his plea. While he admitted that sexual intercourse had occurred, his defense contested the charges on two main points:

• Firstly, they argued that there was no "force sufficient to overcome resistance," which is a prerequisite for the charge of forced sexual intercourse under Japanese law. The defense contended that if this degree of force was not factually recognized, Arai's actions would not be punishable as a criminal offense, only potentially liable as a civil tort.
• Secondly, Arai's defense claimed that he had a mistaken belief in the victim's consent, arguing that the element of "intent" (dolus), a necessary condition for the crime, was absent.

Concerns were raised by Arai's defense lawyer regarding media misrepresentation. Some news outlets erroneously reported that Arai claimed "consent" was given, implying the victim agreed to the act, whereas his actual statement in court was that he "mistakenly believed there was consent." The lawyer sought corrections for these reports, fearing that such sensationalized and distorted coverage could prejudice the fairness of the trial.

On October 23, the prosecution sought a sentence of five years in prison for Arai. The trial concluded with Arai maintaining his plea of not guilty.

5.3. Sentencing and appeal

On December 2, 2019, the Tokyo District Court handed down a verdict consistent with the prosecution's request, sentencing Hirofumi Arai to five years in prison. Arai's defense immediately filed an appeal against the ruling, and he was granted re-bail with a deposit of 7.50 M JPY.

The first public hearing for the appeal trial was held on October 12, 2020, at the Tokyo High Court. Arai's defense reiterated their plea of not guilty, arguing that the first-instance ruling, which affirmed the crime's establishment, contained errors of fact and that the sentence was unduly severe. The defense also disclosed that a settlement had been reached between Arai and the victim. The prosecution sought the dismissal of the appeal, and the trial concluded on the same day. On November 17, the Tokyo High Court overturned the initial five-year sentence, reducing it to four years in prison, taking into account the settlement reached with the victim, which amounted to 3.00 M JPY (approximately 29.00 K USD). As neither the prosecution nor the defense appealed to the Supreme Court by the December 1 deadline, the four-year sentence was finalized on December 2, 2020.

5.4. Impact on professional activities

Arai's arrest and subsequent conviction had extensive repercussions across the entertainment industry due to his involvement in over 130 productions prior to the incident.

• Media distribution**: NHK stopped distributing ten of his works on NHK On Demand, including popular dramas like Sanada Maru and Totto TV. BS Fuji's regular program Utsukushiki Sakenomitachi, which Arai navigated, was effectively cancelled after its October 21, 2018, broadcast. WOWOW also took similar measures for productions like Hitori Shizuka.
• Film releases**: The film Typhoon Family, initially scheduled for release in June 2019, was postponed by distributor Kino Films. It was later released for a limited three-week run from September 6 to 26, 2019, in response to public demand. Another film, Zen'aku no Kuzu, co-starring Arai, was officially cancelled by distributor Nikkatsu on February 8, 2019.
• TV drama re-shoots**: For the ninth episode of the 2018 TV drama Kyo Kara Ore Wa!!, Arai's scenes were re-shot with actor Yabe Kyosuke as his replacement. The updated footage was used for the DVD release and Hulu streaming from March 1, 2019.
• Voice acting**: In the TV anime Black Clover, where Arai voiced the character Rhya (who was modeled after him), his role was recast with Morita Masakazu from episode 87 onwards.
• Streaming services**: When the Netflix-distributed drama Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories was broadcast by Mainichi Broadcasting System and other networks in October 2019, the episode featuring Arai as a guest was deliberately unaired.

5.5. Subsequent developments

In late July 2024, it was reported that Hirofumi Arai had been paroled.

7.1. Film

7.2. Television

7.3. Other appearances

• Stage Plays**
  • Katsuragi Jiken (April 17-30, 2013, Suzunari) as Minoru Katsuragi (THE SHAMPOO HAT 28th production)
  • Tori no Namae (July 22-August 13, 2017, Suzunari)
• Web Dramas**
  • Prison Officer Episode 2 (February 1, 2015, BeeTV) as Kazushi Tendo
  • Midnight Diner Episode 32 (2016, Netflix) as Hajime Moriwaki
• Radio Dramas**
  • FM Theatre Meiso Runner (March 1, 2003, NHK-FM) as Yutaka
  • Seishun Adventure Revolution No.3 (March 31 - April 11, 2003, NHK-FM) as Park Soon-shin
• Informational Programs**
  • Utsukushiki Sakenomitachi (October 28, 2012 - October 21, 2018, BS Fuji) as Navigator
  • Nonfiction W "Harukanaru Hokkyokuten Kokō no Bōkenka Nihon Hatsu no Igyō ni Idomu" (July 4 & 11, 2014, WOWOW) as Narrator
  • Series Setouchi Housekibako (January 2018, NHK General TV) as Narrator
    • Part 1: "Umi no Iro Shima no Iro" (January 5, 2018)
    • Part 2: "Geiyo Shotō Shiki no Iro" (January 12, 2018)
    • Part 3: "Hijikawa Arashi ~ Shinpi no Shikisai no Story ~" (February 2, 2018)
• Commercials (CMs)**
  • Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd. (October 2006 - )
  • Recruit Holdings Rikunabi NEXT (March 2007 - ) - "Stairs" TV CM, "Sakurai Senpai" Radio CM
  • Kirin Beverage FIRE (September 2008 - ) - Narration
  • Suntory Oolong Tea (April 2010 - ) - Narration
  • JR East "MY FIRST AOMORI" (October 2010 - ) as Senior Station Employee
  • NTTdocomo
    • "walk with you" (August 2011 - )
    • 20th Anniversary (July 2012 - ) - Narration
  • Ono Pharmaceutical Corporate (April 2012 - ) - Narration
  • HONDA Corporate (April 2012 - ) - Narration
  • Meiji Milk Chocolate (December 2012 - )
  • Life Card V-Preca (February 2013 - )
  • Sumzap Sengoku Enbu -KIZNA- (February 2014 - )
  • National Local Lottery Association Loto 7 (April 2014 - )
  • Georgia "Emerald Mountain Blend" (February 2017 - )
  • Ezaki Glico Cheeza (April 2017 - )
• Promotional Videos (PVs)**
  • PLAYSTATION 3 "PLAYSTATION 3 Presents Special Video Project 'Ima, Natsuyasumi no Otona-tachi e' PlayStation 3 Game Software 'Boku no Natsuyasumi'" (August 2008)
  • Dragon Ash "Tsunagari SUNSET" (December 3, 2008)
  • STOROBOY "METROPOLIS" (December 19, 2012)
  • JUJU "Distance" (September 18, 2013)
  • Not yet "Sekai no Kaze wo Bokura wa Ukete" (April 23, 2014) (Included in the album already)
  • back number "reunion"
  • ACIDMAN "Ai wo Ryote ni"
  • Kazuyoshi Saito "Iden"