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Hitoshi Matsumoto (松本 人志, Matsumoto Hitoshi; born September 8, 1963) is a Japanese comedian and filmmaker. He was born in Amagasaki, Hyōgo Prefecture.[1] He is one half of the comedy duo Downtown, alongside Masatoshi Hamada, and is one of the most popular comedians in Japan.[1]

Matsumoto has directed several movies beginning in 2007 with Big Man Japan, in several of which he also starred as the main character. He currently hosts Documental on Amazon Prime.[2]

In late 2023, the magazine Shukan Bunshun ran a story that Matsumoto had engaged in sexual assault at parties. In early 2024 in response to the allegations, Matsumoto suspended public appearances to focus on a defamation trial against the publisher of the magazine.[3] Matsumoto withdrew the lawsuit later that year.[4]

Early life

Matsumoto was born in Amagasaki, Hyōgo, to a poor family.

He has expressed his feelings about growing up in a poor household in a poem titled Chicken Rice (チキンライス, Chikin Raisu) which Hamada turned into a song in 2004.[5] In his poem, he wrote how laughter was the only way to get through those times.[6]

He credits his poverty for giving him a good imagination and sense of play, as it forced him to invent his own games to entertain himself.His favorite manga as a child was Tensai Bakabon by Fujio Akatsuka. He aspired to become a manga artist.

He graduated from Amagasaki Municipal Ushio Elementary School, Amagasaki Municipal Taisei Junior High School, and the mechanical engineering department of Hyogo Prefectural Amagasaki Technical High School. His classmates in elementary and junior high school included his future partner Masatoshi Hamada, as well as broadcast writer Mitsuyoshi Takasu. His nickname during elementary and junior high school was “Mattsun.”[7]。

During his elementary school years, his father began receiving invitation tickets to Umeda Kagetsu from his workplace, and the family started attending performances together. This became his first encounter with comedy, and he gradually developed an admiration for becoming a comedian. He later recalled, “Around that time, my personality gradually started to change. I had always been a gloomy child.”[8]

Although he first met Hamada in the lower grades of elementary school, they did not become close at the time because Hamada’s appearance was extremely unusual.Around the fourth grade, he formed a trio called “Koma Third Branch” with friends Ito and Morioka. They each took names such as iron spinning top, wooden spinning top, and plastic spinning top, and were already performing manzai at that time.[9][10]

Afterward, he continued performing manzai and comedy skits with Ito. He recalled that when they performed a skit for the first time, “it bombed so badly it was unbelievable.”[11]

Junior high school period

During junior high school, he often spent time with Ito and Hamada as a group of three.One day, Ito and Hamada had a fight. After it ended, Hamada came up to him and said, “Mattsun, let’s go,” and Matsumoto chose to go with Hamada. Reflecting on that time, Matsumoto stated: “At that moment, I guess I chose Hamada over Ito… (omitted) Even if I had stayed with Ito, I don’t think the two of us would have joined Yoshimoto together. Hamada has initiative… (omitted) He was the one who kept pushing me, saying ‘Let’s join Yoshimoto, let’s go.’”[12]。

Later, during the public recording event Hōsōshitsu Takasu-chan 40th Birthday Festival at Nippon Budokan on December 27, 2003, Ito himself recalled that the cause of the fight was that “Hamada kept teasing my younger brother; at first I laughed, but gradually, as his older brother, I got irritated,” which led to the conflict.He later enrolled in the mechanical engineering department of Hyogo Prefectural Amagasaki Technical High School.

Path to becoming a comedian

In 1982, he formed a duo with Hamada and entered NSC (Yoshimoto New Star Creation) as a first-term student of the Osaka school. While enrolled, they performed without a fixed duo name, but in 1983 officially adopted the name “Downtown.” After working primarily in the Kansai region for a time, they moved to Tokyo in 1988 with the program Yume de Aetara.

From 1993 to 1995, he serialized his essays (“Off-Off Downtown”) in Shūkan Asahi, which were later compiled into books titled Isho and Matsumoto. These sold 2.5 million and 2 million copies respectively, occupying the first and second positions in annual book sales rankings in 1995 (according to Tohan).[13]。

In 1994, he held the live show Sun-dome Kaikyō (tentative title), and in 1995, Matsukaze ’95. Sun-dome Kaikyō was a comedy live performance with an admission fee of 10,000 yen, featuring performers such as Koji Imada, Koji Higashino, and Itsuji Itao (130R). Matsukaze ’95 was held at Nippon Budokan with a post-payment system where the audience decided the ticket price, consisting solely of the segment “One comment per photo.”In 1996, Hitori Gottsu began broadcasting. It continued for about two years under changing titles such as Shin Hitori Gottsu and Matsu Gottsu. In December 1998, Hitoshi Matsumoto 24-Hour Ogiri was broadcast.In the summer of 1998, he changed his long-standing slicked-back hairstyle to a shaved head.[Note 2] He explained that the reason was “because constantly fixing my hair messed up by Hamada’s tsukkomi felt uncool.”[14]From 1998 to 1999, he released the VHS series HITOSI MATUMOTO VISUALBUM, which was later released on DVD in 2003.

2000s

In 2000, he appeared in the television drama Densetsu no Kyōshi. Matsumoto also created the original concept, and this was his first and effectively last starring role in a drama, as he had maintained a stance of not appearing in dramas (except for cameo appearances).

On October 4, 2001, he began the radio program Hōsōshitsu with Takasu, which continued for approximately seven and a half years until its conclusion on March 28, 2009.

In 2007, he released the film Big Man Japan, for which he served as planner, screenwriter, director, and actor, marking his debut as a film director. The film was invited to the Directors’ Fortnight section of the Cannes Film Festival. In connection with this, he received the Topic Award at the 8th Beat Takeshi Entertainment Awards hosted by Tokyo Sports in 2008.[15]

From 2001, he served as a judge in the finals of the M-1 Grand Prix. He appeared in all editions except for 2004, 2015, and 2024, making him the judge with the most appearances.In October 2002, Hataraku Ossan Ningyō began airing. It was broadcast early Sunday mornings, and after its conclusion, its successor program Morning Big Taidan aired in the same time slot.

From 2004, he served as host and planner of Hitoshi Matsumoto no Suberanai Hanashi, and from 2009 as chairman of the comedy competition IPPON Grand Prix, also playing a role in discovering and nurturing young talent.[16]

From 2008, he served as MC of King of Conte as part of Downtown. From 2015 onward, Hamada alone served as MC, while Matsumoto became a judge. Since returning as an M-1 judge in 2016, Matsumoto has served as a judge for both M-1 and King of Conte.

On March 28, 2009, Hōsōshitsu ended. He stated that the reason was his desire to reduce occasions where he talked about his private life.[17].The free talk segment on Downtown no Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende!! also ended temporarily with the December 6, 2009 broadcast.

In April 2009, Hitoshi Matsumoto no marumaru na Hanashi began broadcasting, and in April 2010 it moved to a prime-time slot. This was the first time Matsumoto had a solo prime-time show bearing his name.[18]

2010s

In June 2010, he suffered a labral tear in his left hip joint and announced a hiatus of about one to two months to undergo surgery. He later returned on August 18, 2010, during a recording of Downtown no Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende!!. On October 15, 2010, he appeared in the sketch program MHK, his first such television appearance in nine years, followed by a special episode of Professional: Shigoto no Ryūgi focusing on him on October 16.Since December 2014, he has dyed his hair blond to conceal gray hair and has grown it longer.[19]、

In 2016, Documental began streaming on Amazon Prime Video.From the November 29, 2019 broadcast, he became the third chief of Tantei! Night Scoop, marking the first time he succeeded a previous host in such a role.[20]

2020s

On June 12, 2021, the sketch program King of Conte no Kai aired on TBS. This marked the first new television sketch performance in about 20 years since Downtown no Monogottsu Ee Kanji Special (2001).[21]

Regarding reports that the program achieved a household rating of 6.8% (Video Research, Kanto region), Matsumoto commented on Twitter (now X) that the show was a success both in content and ratings, and questioned why media outlets continued to focus on household ratings, emphasizing instead the importance of core audience ratings.[22][23][24]

Suspension and return

From the beginning of 2024, Matsumoto suspended his entertainment activities in order to focus on legal proceedings against Bungeishunju and the editor-in-chief of Shūkan Bunshun. On November 1, 2025, he resumed activities by appearing in a live broadcast on the paid streaming service “DOWNTOWN+,” operated by Yoshimoto Kogyo and FANY, marking his return after approximately one year and ten months. He stated that he decided to return because he had heard that the Japanese comedy industry was struggling.[25][26]

Career

Although he secured a job at a printing office, to pursue his dream of becoming a comedian, he was invited by Hamada in 1982 to enter Yoshimoto Kōgyō. Together, they became Downtown, and made their major debut in 1983. The Downtown comedy duo loosely follow the manzai style of Japanese comedy, where Matsumoto plays the half-wit, and his partner plays the straight man.[1]

Personal life

Bachelorhood

Matsumoto remained single with no history of marriage for years after his comedy partner, Hamada, was married with children. He stated that he was not into romance, finding acts such as sharing a bed or bathing with someone else bothersome and unnecessary.[27]

It was revealed in July 2008 that Matsumoto was dating then 25-year-old tarento Ihara Rin.[28] In the evening of May 17, 2009, it was announced that Matsumoto’s official bachelorhood had ended with a secret marriage ceremony between himself and the aforementioned Ihara.[29] Ihara, a former weather announcer for the Japanese news program “ズームイン!! Super” (Zoom In!! Super) is nineteen years Matsumoto’s junior, and apparently became pregnant by Matsumoto, prompting the marriage.[29] The announcement of the marriage came via fax by Matsumoto’s managing organization to several media outlets, including a personal message by Matsumoto himself: “My partner will quit her job and is currently pregnant. As this is a delicate time, I would like this to be dealt with as gently as possible. It would be best to hold a press conference, however I’m too embarrassed to, so I won’t.”[29]

On October 6, 2009, Matsumoto and Ihara Rin became parents to a daughter. At the time, Matsumoto was in South Korea for the screening of the film “Symbol.”[30]

Interests

Matsumoto’s hobbies include driving, billiards, and video games.[citation needed]

As an admirer of Vincent van Gogh, he has gone to Amsterdam to visit The Van Gogh Museum. These trips were filmed for The True Hitoshi Matsumoto (松本人志の本当, Matsumoto Hitoshi no Hontō), a special NHK BS documentary series.[31] Another figure he respects is the late comedian, Kanbi Fujiyama.[32]

He enjoys tokusatsu shows and owns DVD box sets of series such as Kamen Rider and Giant Robo. He has parodied tokusatsu a number of times on his previous show, Downtown no Gottsu Ee Kanji (with characters such as the Go-Renjai, Miracle Ace and Aho Aho Man), and in his directorial film debut, Big Man Japan.

Health

He has demonstrated good physical fitness on Gaki no Tsukai. He defeated his comedy partner Hamada in a high jump competition by clearing 1.40m on the first try.[33] In 1999, he outran Hamada, Hōsei Yamasaki and both members of Cocorico in a 100-meter race (he ran the entire length while the other four ran a quarter of the length each in the form of a relay race).[34] Three years later, he performed notably better than them in a long jump competition.[35]

Although he claims to have no interest in sports,[36] he has occasionally dabbled in boxing as he is friends with former world boxing champion Joichiro Tatsuyoshi.

Once a heavy cigarette smoker, he quit in 2003.

On June 28, 2010, Yoshimoto Kogyo announced that Matsumoto would not be performing on any shows for two months due to an injury on his left hip, which required surgery.[37] For two episodes, the remaining Gaki no Tsukai cast members discussed his condition,[38][39] with Matsumoto returning to hosting on August 31, 2010.[40] In subsequent segments of the show requiring rigorous physical activities, such as the annual New Year’s Eve 24-Hour Batsu Games of recent years, he is exempted and instead given idle or captive roles, due to his previous injury.

During the 2011 Gaki no Tsukai batsu game involving the group becoming airline assistants, Matsumoto revealed he had suffered a stress fracture preparing for said batsu game, and despite doctor’s orders, he still participated in the batsu game.

In December 2023, the weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun published testimonies from multiple women who alleged that they had experienced sexual misconduct by Hitoshi Matsumoto in connection with a gathering said to have taken place in 2015. The testimonies were provided anonymously.[3]In response, Matsumoto’s agency stated that the allegations were entirely unfounded.[41] Other anonymous allegations followed of other women with similar accounts. Matsumoto himself also denied the claims and indicated his intention to pursue legal action. Following the reports, he suspended part of his entertainment activities.[42] [43] [42]

In January 2024, Matsumoto filed a lawsuit against Bungeishunju, the publisher of the magazine, seeking damages on the grounds of defamation. Court proceedings began in the same year; however, in November 2024, Matsumoto withdrew the lawsuit. According to legal representatives for both parties, no financial settlement was made between them.[3][44] [3] [4] [45] In a statement, Matsumoto said that if any of the women who attended the gathering had felt uncomfortable, he would like to express his apology.[46]

List of works

Films

Comic shorts:

  • Tōzu (頭頭) (1993)
  • Sundome Kaikyō (寸止め海峡) (1995)
  • Visualbum Vol. Apple – Promise (ビジュアルバム Vol. リンゴ – 約束) (1998)
  • Visualbum Vol. Banana – Kindness (ビジュアルバム Vol. バナナ – 親切) (1998)
  • Visualbum Vol. Grape – Relief (ビジュアルバム Vol. ブドウ – 安心) (1999)
  • Sasuke (佐助) (2001)
  • Zassā (ザッサー) (2006)

Full-length movies:

Television and radio

  • Hitori gottsu (一人ごっつ) (1996–1997)
  • Densetsu no kyōshi (伝説の教師) (2000)
  • Ashita ga aru sa (明日があるさ) (2001)
  • Hōsō-shitsu (放送室) (Since 2001)
  • Hitoshi Matsumoto no suberanai hanashi (人志松本のすべらない話) (Since 2004)
  • Ippon Grand Prix (IPPONグランプリ) (Since 2009)
  • Matsumoto Hitoshi no Konto (MHK) (松本人志のコント) (2010)
  • Hitoshi Matsumoto Presents Documental (Since 2016)

Books

  • Isho (遺書) (1994) ISBN 978-4-02-256809-0
  • Matsumoto (松本) (1995) ISBN 978-4-02-256898-4
  • Matsumoto Hitoshi Ai (松本人志 愛) (1998) ISBN 978-4-02-257300-1
  • Matsumoto Bōzu (松本坊主) (1999) ISBN 978-4-947599-62-9
  • Zukan (図鑑) (2000) ISBN 978-4-02-257550-0
  • Matsumoto Cinema Bōzu (松本シネマ坊主) (2002) ISBN 978-4-8222-1733-4
  • Matsumoto Saiban (松本裁判) (2002) ISBN 978-4-86052-002-1
  • Teihon Hitorigottsu (定本一人ごっつ) ISBN 978-4-86052-024-3
  • Sukika, Kiraika – Matsumoto Hitoshi no Nigenron (好きか、嫌いか – 松本人志の二元論) (2004) ISBN 978-4-08-780401-0
  • Sukika, Kiraika 2 – Matsumoto Hitoshi no Saishuu Sanban (好きか、嫌いか2 – 松本人志の最終裁判) (2005) ISBN 978-4-08-780422-5
  • Cinema Bōzu 2 (シネマ坊主2) (2005) ISBN 978-4-8222-1744-0
  • Cinema Bōzu 3 (シネマ坊主3) (2008) ISBN 978-4-8222-6321-8
  • Matsumoto Hitoshi No Ikari Akaban (松本人志の怒り 赤版) (2008) ISBN 978-4-08-780503-1
  • Matsumoto Hitoshi No Ikari Aoban (松本人志の怒り 青版) (2008) ISBN 978-4-08-780504-8

Notes and references

  1. ^ a b c Corkill, Edan (2013-10-05). “Downtown comedian Hitoshi Matsumoto leans from TV to film”. The Japan Times. Archived from the original on 2022-07-06. Retrieved 2024-03-17.
  2. ^ Marsh, Calum (Jan 18, 2024). “How ‘Last One Laughing’ Took Over (Most of) the World”. The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 4, 2024. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d Kaneko, Karin (2024-03-28). “Comedian Hitoshi Matsumoto’s defamation trial kicks off”. The Japan Times. Archived from the original on 2024-04-03. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
  4. ^ a b Kaneko, Karin (November 8, 2024). “Comedian Hitoshi Matsumoto to withdraw Bungeishunju defamation suit”.
  5. ^ チキンライス 浜田雅功と槇原敬之 CDシングル (in Japanese). 2013-12-31. Neowing.co.jp, 2004-11-17. Retrieved on 2008-01-10.
  6. ^ Lyrics to “Chicken Rice.” Archived 2006-03-13 at the Wayback Machine 2004-12-02. Retrieved on 2008-1-10.
  7. ^ “松本人志、ダウンタウン結成に至る運命の出来事 親友とけんかした浜田が「まっつん、行こう」”. サンスポ. 2021-10-16. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
  8. ^ Matsumoto(松本) 1999, pp. 25–26
  9. ^ Matsumoto(松本) 1999, pp. 32–33
  10. ^ “松本人志　35年ぶり元相方との再会に感極まる”. 日刊スポーツ. 2018-02-03. Retrieved 2021-07-26.
  11. ^ Matsumoto(松本) 1999, pp. 34–36
  12. ^ Matsumoto(松本) 1999, pp. 73–75
  13. ^ “トーハン調べ 1995年 年間ベストセラー” (PDF). トーハン. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-07-13. Retrieved 2021-07-26.
  14. ^ “松本人志、1998年急に坊主になったのは「浜田のせい」”. Archived from the original on 2023-09-07. Retrieved 2023-09-07.
  15. ^ “ついに夢の2ショット実現 たけし、松ちゃんに「映画作りを続けて」”. ORICON NEWS. 2008-03-03. Retrieved 2017-09-26.
  16. ^ “お笑い不況下の「IPPON」の役割「若手発掘」「日本を元気に」”. スポニチ Sponichi Annex. スポーツニッポン新聞社. 2015-05-23. Retrieved 2015-09-17.
  17. ^ Housoushitu(『放送室』)388th,{date=2009-03-7}
  18. ^ “Maru Maru na hanashi(『○○な話』)で松本人志、初の単独ゴールデン「手応えまぁまぁある」”. ORICON NEWS. 2023-08-23. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
  19. ^ ““松ちゃん、銀髪から金髪にした理由は「グレーすぐ落ちる」”“. ORICON NEWS. 2014-12-07. Retrieved 2019-04-18.
  20. ^ “ナイトスクープ松本人志局長就任で視聴率20%超えへ？／芸能ショナイ業務話”. Sankei sports. 2019-11-11. Retrieved 2020-01-15.
  21. ^ “松本人志、民放20年ぶり新作コント　6.12『キングオブコントの会』歴代王者も集結”. クランクイン！. 2021-06-11. Retrieved 2021-07-04.
  22. ^ “松本人志が「キングオブコントの会」視聴率に言及「いつまで”世帯”視聴率を記事にするんやろう？」”. 東スポWeb. 2021-06-14. Retrieved 2021-07-04.
  23. ^ “松本人志が「低視聴率報道」に怒り表明でマスコミは戦々恐々”. FRIDAYデジタル. 2021-06-17. Retrieved 2021-07-04.
  24. ^ “世帯視聴率の記事がなくならない責任の一端はヤフトピにある(境治)”. Yahoo!ニュース. 2021-06-22. Retrieved 2021-07-04.
  25. ^ “松本人志、1年10ヶ月ぶり活動再開で感極まる「松本動きました」 『DOWNTOWN+』始動”. ORICON NEWS. oricon ME. 2025-11-01. Retrieved 2025-11-01.
  26. ^ “松本人志が活動再開を決めたワケ「日本のお笑いがしんどいと聞きまして、私、復活することにしました」”. yahoo news. スポニチ. 2025-11-01. Archived from the original on 2025-11-01. Retrieved 2025-11-02.
  27. ^ LINCOLN Episode #5 aired on 2005-12-13.
  28. ^ Japan Zone: Romantic Roundup Archived 2015-04-28 at the Wayback Machine (2008-07-08). Retrieved on 2008-07-16.
  29. ^ a b c 松ちゃん電撃デキ婚！元お天気お姉さんと Archived 2009-05-20 at the Wayback Machine (2009-05-18). Retrieved on 2009-05-18.
  30. ^ “Owh联盟外投”. Archived from the original on 2021-11-07. Retrieved 2009-10-12.
  31. ^ NHK BS’s Matsumoto Hitoshi no Hontō, first aired on 1999-1-29.
  32. ^ Matsumoto, Hitoshi (1995). Matsumoto. Osaka, Japan: The Asahi Shimbun Company. p 22. “I still watch videos of his acts to this day, and no matter how many times I watch them, I never tire of them.”
  33. ^ Downtown no Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende!! Episode aired on 1993-07-11.
  34. ^ Downtown no Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende!! Episode aired on 1999-10-17.
  35. ^ Downtown no Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende!! Episode aired on 2002-05-05.
  36. ^ LINCOLN Episode #38 aired on 2006-09-12.
  37. ^ “松本人志が緊急入院 全番組をキャンセル（芸能） ― スポニチ Sponichi Annex ニュース”. www.sponichi.co.jp. Archived from the original on 2010-06-28.
  38. ^ Downtown no Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende!! Episode aired on 2010-7-04.
  39. ^ Downtown no Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende!! Episode aired on 2010-8-01
  40. ^ LINCOLN Episode aired on 2010-8-31
  41. ^ Staff writer (2023-12-27). “Popular Japanese comedian denies sexual assault allegations”. The Japan Times. Archived from the original on 2024-01-28. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
  42. ^ a b Le Van, Quentin (2024-03-17). “Japan’s king of humor is no longer making anyone laugh”. Le Monde. France. Archived from the original on 2024-03-22. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
  43. ^ Staff writer (2024-01-09). “Japan comedian Hitoshi Matsumoto halts activities amid sex scandal report”. The Japan Times. Archived from the original on 2024-02-26. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
  44. ^ Inoue, Yukana (2024-01-23). “Comedian Hitoshi Matsumoto sues publisher over sexual assault article”. The Japan Times. Archived from the original on 2024-01-28. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
  45. ^ “Japan comedian Matsumoto Hitoshi withdraws libel suit against publisher | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News”. NHK WORLD. Archived from the original on November 8, 2024. Retrieved 2024-11-22.
  46. ^ NEWS, KYODO. “Japanese comedian drops suit vs. publisher over sex scandal report”. Kyodo News+. Retrieved 2024-11-22.