[2][3][4][5] On April 1, 1985, Japanese Fuji Television Network launched a variety show called "Sunset Meow Meow" (夕やけニャンニャン, Yūyake Nyan Nyan) during which the program's exclusive female idol group, Onyanko Club, made its debut.
[6][7][8] Two weeks after the program started, a photograph was published by Shūkan Bunshun which depicted the under age band members smoking.
[9][10][11] On April 18, the April 25, 1985 issue of Shūkan Bunshun appeared, with an article titled "The scene that the high school girls' squad of the popular TV show Yuyake Nyan Nyan doesn't show to their parents and the station" (人気番組「夕やけニャンニャン」女子高生隊の、親と局には見せないシーン), Ninkibangumiyūyakenyannyan Joshikōseitaino Oyatokyokuniwa Misenaishiin) with the photo.
[10][12] The six members in the photo were Mika Okuda (奥田美香, Okuda Mika), Michiko Enokida (榎田道子, Enokida Michiko), Kayoko Yoshino (吉野佳代子, Yoshino Kayoko), Mamiko Tomoda (友田麻美子, Tomoda Mamiko), Mayumi Satō (佐藤真由美, Satō Mayumi), and Aki Kihara.
[10][12] Aki Kihara was the only member who escaped dismissal and returned to the program after two weeks of suspension.
[13] He also warned them in advance to be wary of paparazzi activities by weekly photo magazines such as Friday and FOCUS (フォーカス).
[11][12] On June 3, 2016, Mamiko Tomoda appeared publicly for the first time in 31 years to talk about the scandal on TBS Television's program Explosive Reports!
[2][3][20] According to Tomoda, as they were talking in a coffee shop, they relaxed and smoked without paying attention to their surroundings.
At around 9:10 pm, a man suddenly appeared, took a photograph without revealing his identity, thanked them, and then ran off.
[10][12][13] A few months after this scandal, Onyanko Club released their debut song, "Sailor Fuku wo Nugasanai de" ("Don't Make Me Take Off My Sailor Suit") (セーラー服を脱がさないで, Sērāfuku o Nugasanai de), and their popularity greatly increased.
[2][3] She was scheduled to be the main vocalist of the debut song, and the other girls of the smoking group were also considered core members.
[2][3][23][24] Kazuji Kasai, the chief director of the program, also said, "If they had stayed, the trend of Onyanko Club would have been changed.
He stated that at this point, it had not yet been decided that the theme song would be sung by Onyanko Club[25] Eri Nitta, who became one of the main vocalists for "Don't make me take off my sailor suit", was only involved in the program part-time when it first started.
[2][3] Kazuji Kasai, the chief director of the program, was considered to be the behind-the-scenes organizer of Onyanko Club,[35][36] and was most feared by its members.