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Fumika Shimizu Retires From Acting to Happy Science Religious Organization
posted on by Rafael Antonio Pineda
22-year-old actress Fumika Shimizu announced on Sunday that she will retire from the entertainment industry to the Happy Science religious organization.
Shimizu's lawyer, as well as Happy Science Head of PR Eiichi Satomura, tly held a press conference on Sunday to issue a statement on her behalf. The statement noted that she has hired two lawyers in an attempt to end her contract with her agency Kamen Rider role, she had only three hours of sleep a day, and worked 31 days every month for only 50,000 yen ($438) without a bonus. In another instance, she claimed her company forced her to wear a swimsuit for a DVD video, despite her protests.
The statement also noted that she is facing resistance from her talent agency in the ending of her contract. Additionally, the statement claimed that her agency insists that she must perform the roles that have already been confirmed for her during her contract period. Meanwhile, Shimizu's lawyer and Happy Science claimed that the situation has worsened Shimizu's health, and that a doctor has ordered her to stop working.
Shimizu halted her regular appearances on the The Dark Maidens) novel, which opens on April 1.
Ryuho Okawa founded Happy Science in 1986, and he still serves as the controversial organization's CEO. He is also the founder and leader of Japan's conservative Happiness Realization political party, which Happy Science s. Okawa, under the religious title El Cantare, claims to channel spirits from various religions such as Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Confucianism. Happy Science has about 10 million in Japan and 1 million in foreign countries.
Shimizu has stated that she has been a believer of Happy Science since she was a child.
Happy Science has sponsored a received a video-on-demand release in the U.S.
The religious organization recently formed a six-member female pop idol group named anjewel last year.
Sources: Sankei Sports, Nikkan Sports, The Japan Times via The Tokusatsu Network, Hachima Kikō (link 2)
Picture from LesPros Entertainment
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