TOKYO—The man once lauded as “Japan’s Beethoven” bowed repeatedly and apologized Friday at his first media appearance since it was revealed last month that his famed musical compositions were ghostwritten and he wasn’t completely deaf.

Mamoru Samuragochi appeared clean-shaven and minus his trademark sunglasses and long hair, in what could be seen as a sign of remorse. He apologized for the troubles he had caused his fans, producers and others.

“I will speak the truth,” he told reporters, looking contrite in a dark jacket. “I will make this my last appearance on TV.”

He acknowledged he had worked with his collaborator, Takashi Niigaki, in secret for 18 years. Niigaki recently told a tabloid magazine he was the ghostwriter behind the works, including the “Hiroshima” symphony.

Samuragochi, 50, said his hearing had been recovering for about three years, but denied he was posturing as deaf, and said he still had hearing problems.

Olympian figure-skater Daisuke Takahashi used a Samuragochi tune at the Sochi games. CD sales of music credited to him has surged since the scandal erupted.

Samuragochi had been celebrated as overcoming severe hearing disabilities to compose and arrange the classical works. He said he still has problems making out words and needed a sign language interpreter during media interviews.

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