[news] Ai Kago suspended indefinitely from H!P for smoking
 

Original article here
Thanks Ikimasshoi for noticing it

Note: In Japan, the legal smoking age is 20.

Suspension may see ex-Morning Musume star's career go up in smoke

Ex-Morning Musume member Ai Kago was suspended indefinitely late Thursday night after her talent agency confirmed a scandal sheet had caught her smoking while underage.

Friday, a weekly photo journal that specializes in paparazzi shots of celebrities, caught 18-year-old Kago puffing away at a restaurant in Tokyo's trendy Ebisu district on Jan. 28, a spokesman for her talent agency said.

Friday's coverage of the event will hit the stands on Feb. 10.

Talent agency officials said that they are continuing to discuss Kago's career path with the teenager and her parents. Since leaving Morning Musume, Kago has joined "W," another all-girl group.

Minors in Japan are banned from smoking. The legal age of adulthood is 20 and smoking before then is outlawed.

In April last year, another Morning Musume celebrity, Mari Yaguchi, quit the popular group after a weekly photo magazine showed her on a date with an actor. (Mainichi)









Consequences (from ikimasshoi)

Ai Kago has been suspended indefinitely. She is not leaving H!P, but she is taking a break.

Upcoming W (Double U) releases have been officially cancelled.

Hello!Morning filmed shows will be edited, cutting out Aibon’s parts.

Hello!Project has suspended upcoming W events, including their performance at the Tokamachi snow festival on 2/18 and the Pacific Heaven Hotel fanclub event.

Up Front Works loses over 100 million yens already invested in W’s upcoming releases: production, events and promotion. The only way to get the money back would be saving W’s new single and album for an eventually comeback after Aibon’s punishment.

Oh my gosh. I heard about Aibon smoking but didn't think much of it. She's been with H!P for years, I wonder what will happen with W...

Thats too bad. Tsunku's good at ruining good things.

omg.... but... what will happen to W's new album... omg....

I just watched the Ayudready episode with Ai Kago in it and just learned who she is... poor girl

*shakes head* Oh Aibon.... I'm disappointed it you. :(

Poor Aibon... :no I hope she won't quit Hello! Project and W will not be disbanded. I wonder what Nono thinks about this. :( *feels so sad*

Aww.. that's so sad. I really hope things will eventually fix themselves =/

...omg.

Wow. They need to be so much more careful.

:eek :yeek *shocked*

I was just watching the AyuReady episode with Ai too... I can't believe she smokes! *shocked*

Nooooo~~ Not Aibon~~~

Geez... why is she smoking anyways...? Tsk tsk tsk... I really like her, and I don't want W to get seperated *cries*

Not surprised about her smoking, a little surprised over her getting suspended.

Wasn't there some nonsense about backstage at some show Ayumi had scolded the MM girls who were also performing that night for smoking so young? I remember some of you coots making a big fuss about some nonsensical rumors that run-in spawned.

Teen smoking is a big problem everywhere. Tsunku should take the stick out of his butt and let her stay.

Perhaps she's doing it to loose weight and become as thin as the second half of W. :shakehead

Me too :( Shes prolly the most looked up too in H!P of young girls.. Poor Kago...

Maybe but she looked like she's already getting skinnier from Miss Love Tentai single to now.



I hope the same thing won't happen to Kago as it did with Mari:no

Perhaps we shoulden't be so surprised. After all, aren't kago and nono H!P's idiot and crap girls? :P (sorry about that... :dead2 )

Are they supposed to throw out all their standards because this girl thinks she is too good for the rules? No doubt she knew what the consequences could be. I don't understand why you guys feel sorry for her. :shrug

Their rules are ridiculous, these girls aren't allowed to live.

You can live without smoking. That law applies to every 18 yr old in Japan, not just Hello! Project members.