The chairman and president of Fuji TV have resigned following a sexual misconduct allegation against Masahiro Nakai, a prominent TV host and former member of the boy band SMAP. The incident allegedly occurred during a 2023 dinner party organized by Fuji TV staff. The network has suspended Nakai's weekly show and other major networks have dropped him as a presenter. The controversy has sparked significant repercussions for the network, including the withdrawal of advertisements from several major companies.
Fuji TV's president, Koichi Minato, revealed that the company was aware of the allegation shortly after it occurred but chose not to disclose it. He stated that the decision was made to prioritize the woman's well-being and privacy.
"Looking back, I realise there were shortcomings in our response."
"prioritised the woman's physical and mental recovery as well as the protection of her privacy" – Koichi Minato
The investment firm Rising Sun Management, which holds a majority stake in Fuji TV's parent company, has criticized the network's handling of the situation. The firm has pointed to the incident as evidence of significant issues within Fuji TV's corporate governance.
"exposes serious flaws in your corporate governance" – Rising Sun Management
Reports have also emerged indicating that Nakai paid the unnamed woman more than half a million dollars. Despite these allegations, Nakai denied using violence and announced his retirement from show business last week.
The scandal has prompted a strong response from both the public and the government. The Japanese government has urged Fuji TV to take steps to restore trust with its viewers and sponsors. In response to these events, dozens of companies have pulled their advertisements from the network, including major car manufacturers Nissan and Toyota.
In light of the situation, Fuji TV has established an independent committee to conduct a thorough investigation into the scandal. This step is part of the network's broader efforts to address and rectify its governance issues and regain public trust.