The chairman and president of Fuji TV, one of Japan’s leading broadcasters, have stepped down following a sexual misconduct allegation against prominent TV host Masahiro Nakai.
The scandal has prompted widespread backlash, with numerous companies, including Nissan and Toyota, withdrawing advertisements from the network.
Fuji TV has also faced criticism for allegedly attempting to cover up the incident, which has sparked broader scrutiny of Japan’s entertainment industry.
At a press conference on Monday, Fuji TV chairman Shuji Kano and president Koichi Minato announced their resignations. Bowing deeply, they apologised to viewers, sponsors, and stakeholders for the distress caused.
“I feel deeply the weight of my responsibility for undermining trust in the media,” said Mr Minato, acknowledging shortcomings in the network’s handling of the situation.
Mr Minato admitted the network had been aware of the allegations shortly after the incident occurred at a 2023 dinner party allegedly organised by Fuji TV staff. However, they opted not to disclose the matter, citing concerns for the victim’s privacy and well-being.
The Allegations
Masahiro Nakai, a former member of the boy band SMAP and a household name in Japan, was accused of sexually assaulting a woman at the dinner party. Reports suggest he paid the woman more than half a million dollars in a settlement.
While Nakai has denied using violence and stated that the matter was “resolved,” public anger has continued to mount. The scandal intensified after allegations surfaced that a Fuji TV employee had helped arrange the dinner party.
The scandal has led to significant repercussions for Fuji TV. Investment firm Rising Sun Management, the majority shareholder of Fuji TV’s parent company, criticised the network’s corporate governance in an open letter.
In response, Fuji TV has formed an independent committee to investigate the incident. Executive vice president Kenji Shimizu, who will replace Mr Minato as president, pledged to prioritise human rights and rebuild trust, stating he would “start from scratch” to prevent similar incidents.
Fuji TV has suspended a weekly programme hosted by Nakai, and other major networks have dropped him as a presenter. Following reports that similar celebrity-focused dinner parties are common in the industry, other broadcasters have launched their own investigations to examine corporate practices.
