A lookalike impersonator has stirred controversy after attending the wake of legendary Japanese singer Hashi Yukio, drawing sharp criticism from idol and wheelchair user Ikagari Tomoka.

An Unwelcome Surprise

The wake for Hashi Yukio, who passed away on September 4th at age 82, was held on the 9th in Tokyo and attended by numerous major celebrities. The solemn event was disrupted by the appearance of a man closely resembling EXILE singer ATSUSHI, causing a stir among attendees and media.

When surrounded by press, the man revealed he was not ATSUSHI but impersonator RYO. He explained his attendance by stating, "I'm an impressionist, so I came in this style," while also clarifying he had no personal relationship or friendship with the late Hashi Yukio.

Criticism from a Peer

Commenting on the incident, Ikagari Tomoka of the idol group "Kamen Joshi" (Masked Girls) did not hold back on her X account. She called the act "a terrifying publicity stunt" by someone with "no relation at all." She also criticized the media for taking the bait and expressed sympathy for the real ATSUSHI, stating, "I think the impersonated ATSUSHI must be terribly inconvenienced by this."

The incident highlights the blurred lines between tribute and tasteless self-promotion in the world of entertainment.