My world imploded, and I don't know what to do... plus a new idol group enters my life

I am always cheering for you, even if you don't hear from me as much as you deserve, Be well.

Greetings, and I apologize in advance for the lack of responses. First off, I am really sorry to hear about the insane situation that you just went through. Covid has really made a lot of people insane, and the constant back and forth on what's safe and not safe does not make it any better. It is very disheartening to have people you thought you knew and could depend on, turn on you so quickly, especially when no actual harm came of the action. I guess one could look at it as this event showed you some true colors, and while indeed it hurts, it's better to know who really has your back. I hope that this does blow over and you can still work in the industry you love, though I have to admit, I am really looking forward to reading your upcoming books.

What a bad situation. Hope you get out of this relatively unharmed businesswise. Keep your head up. (Yes, I want ro read that book, if you ever leave idol, Tokyo Babylon. But I hope you never write it because you made it in that business.) Greetings from Germany.

Axel

really really really appreciate your kind words... it's nice to know you would stand by me no matter what. I hope I can keep providing lots of interesting things for people to enjoy. I just hope it can continue to be in the world of idol, but we'll see if that happens or not. I hope it will.

Really thank you for this lovely comment! Ladybeard is actually somebody I've never had the pleasure to meet or talk to. Almost did once but kind of didn't happen. I could learn from Beard chan though... he certainly has it all figured out here. I only wish I was that smart. Thank you though!

I'm sorry you're going through this hard time Derek. I hope that things will start to look more positive soon and that the people who are at odds with you right now will give you another chance. You made a mistake, you acknowledged it, and I hope that the people are able to accept it and move on from it. No matter what happens and what the future holds, whatever projects you decide to tackle next, whether it's in the same "underworld" you work in now or something else, I look forward to seeing and continuing supporting you :)

So it appears that the haphazard way that the Japanese Government is dealing with this pandemic and not providing clear instructions is making it difficult for people to know what they should be doing - this leads to people becoming complacent. Something that appears to be happening with many people within the idol industry from what you’ve been telling us over the last few months. You have held your hand up that you made a mistake and those around you should be able to accept that and move forward and I hope that does happen. I listened to a podcast yesterday featuring Ladybeard and he mentioned that he has to switch the way he interacts with business people whether they are Japanese or Australian/Western. Might be worth reaching out to him as a fellow gaijin to compare notes. Fingers crossed that this has a positive outcome and you can leave it all in the past

Hey Derek, since we already talked I make it short. I don´t think you did anything wrong here. I really have to play devils advocate to accept the argument you could have stayed home until the result came. So i´m fully with you. And the results proved you´re right. The only thing that makes me really sad to hear is, that people who work with you for years and should know you – especially since your image pops up on Wikipedia when you search “trustworthy” “caring for people you work with” or “reliable”. They should know you better. And it´s a shame for every single one they don´t think logical for one single minute you just wouldn´t endanger anyone because it´s not your nature to get out the sneaky way, like it seems to be everyday practical in Japanese culture. And best friends turn to worst enemies in less than a week. Shame and dishonor on them, every single one. Let´s just hope another few days give them a clear head again to think logical. When groups stop working with you every single one uses. Many would be surprised how much lower their income suddenly gets when IU income is missing. Let´s hope they are not dumb enough to find out. Cutting business relationships always makes both sides lose. At least some cool stuff happened this week too and I am excited for the groups you work with. With the site you are coding right now … I have less design experience than you, but if you look for a second opinion i´ll check it out and tell you my thoughts about it in the making process. You know how to reach me. I hope from now on things turn back to the better. This weeks trouble was enough trouble for many years at once. Fingers crossed. Hear ya soon.

Svensei