Gokuraku Tombo
| Gokuraku Tombo | |
|---|---|
 Koji Kato (October 2017)  Keiichi Yamamoto (October 2017) | |
| Native name | Gokuraku Tonbo (極楽とんぼ) |
| Years active | 1989 - 2006 2016 - Present |
| Employer | Yoshimoto Kogyo |
| Members | |
Gokuraku Tombo (極楽とんぼ, Gokuraku Tonbo), meaning Heavenly Dragonfly was a manzai comedy duo consisting of Keiichi Yamamoto (山本 圭壱, Yamamoto Keiichi) and Koji Kato (加藤 浩次, Katō Kōji). Members of the Yoshimoto Kogyo entertainment conglomerate, they performed on the Fuji TV variety show Mecha-Mecha Iketeru! Their main act was based on arguing and fighting in public.
On July 18, 2006, it was found out that Yamamoto was questioned by the Hakodate West Police station in Hokkaidō on suspicion of statutory rape of a minor. As a result, Yoshimoto Kogyo announced the cancellation of their contract with the agency. The duo was also disbanded. Kato apologized for Yamamoto's scandal on his live TV program broadcast by Nippon Television Network the next day, the whole apology delivered as Kato wept loudly.[1][2]
In 2016, Yamamoto returned to television after over a decade long hiatus and has resumed activities in the industry. He is also currently a member of Yoshimotozaka46.
References
- ^ (in English) See Member of comedy duo Gokuraku Tonbo questioned over rape of 17-year-old girl, Mainichi Daily News, July 19, 2006. Accessed July 27, 2006.
- ^ (in English) See Gokuraku Tombo comedy duo predicament tops entertainment headlines, Mainichi Daily News, July 22, 2006. Accessed July 27, 2006.
- Profile by Yoshimoto Kogyo)
- Fuji TV - Mecha-Mecha Iketeru!