Keigo Oyamada's interview is seen in the March 1995 issue of the Quick Japan magazine in this photo taken in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on July 15, 2021. (Mainichi/Kaho Kitayama)

       TOKYO -- Musician Keigo Oyamada, 52, who stepped down from his role in charge of music at the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony over past confessions of bullying in 1990s music magazine interviews, wrote on Twitter on Sept. 17 to deny parts of the articles.

       "At the time, I described a number of things that happened in my student days, including what I witnessed and other things which left a strong impression in my memory," Oyamada explained. He also wrote, "I wasn't able to confirm the interview copies ahead of publication, and descriptions that differed from reality were printed."

       But, he also acknowledged that he did shut a classmate inside a cardboard box, and covered him in dust from a blackboard eraser. "It went beyond the parameters of everyday play, and became bullying," he reflected.

       He went on to apologize, stating, "My lack of awareness as a child, and my stupidity in my 20s to tell a magazine about it, hurt him and others like him who have those similar experiences. I feel very sorry."

       (Mainichi)

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