Japanese comedian and TV personality Hitoshi Matsumoto dropped a 550 million yen ($3.6 million) lawsuit against publisher Bungei Shunju Ltd. on Friday for defamation for reporting that he had forced women into sexual activities, both sides’ lawyers said. In a statement released by Matsumoto’s lawyer, the celebrity acknowledged having joined gatherings attended by women in the past and said, “I would like to frankly apologize if any of the women who attended were offended or hurt.” As for the reason for withdrawing the suit, Matsumoto, 61, explained that he and the publisher “confirmed that the…