The line between admiring a celebrity and crossing into harassment is becoming increasingly blurred for some people. Renowned voice actress Kaori Maeda and her representatives issued a firm official statement on August 20 to demand an immediate halt to a series of obsessive behaviors affecting the artist’s mental health and safety.

Through the statement, the actress’s agency detailed that while most fans behave respectfully, unacceptable situations have been detected. Highlighted behaviors include ambushes and pursuits at event venues, filming locations, airports, train stations, and even taxi stands. This is compounded by continuous stalking in places she frequents, taking photos and videos without consent, and noisy interruptions during live performances that spoil the experience for other attendees.

The agency also urged fans to avoid posting on social media about casual encounters, exact locations, or upcoming destinations of the actress. Management emphasized that just because an incident seems coincidental doesn’t justify the constant repetition of these acts, which impose an enormous emotional burden on Maeda and disrupt work schedules. Organizers warned that anyone identified engaging in these acts will have their tickets for future events canceled without refund, face ejection from venues, and be permanently banned.

Kaori Maeda is a prominent Japanese voice actress widely loved in the entertainment industry. Among her most iconic roles is Shizuku Osaka in the Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club franchise, as well as her role as Nice Nature in the popular game and anime Uma Musume Pretty Derby. Her charisma and stage talent have positioned her as one of the most active figures in recent years.

With growing reports of harassment against voice talents in Japan, do you think companies should apply much stricter legal measures from the first stalking incident?