The chairman and president of Fuji TV, one of Japan’s largest television networks, have resigned following widespread backlash over a sexual misconduct scandal involving Masahiro Nakai, a high-profile TV host and former member of the boy band SMAP.
The controversy erupted after Nakai was accused of sexually assaulting a woman at a 2023 dinner party allegedly organised by Fuji TV staff. Reports later revealed that the network was aware of the allegations but chose not to disclose them, leading to accusations of a cover-up.
At a press conference on Monday, Fuji TV chairman Shuji Kano and President Koichi Minato announced their resignations following an emergency board meeting. Bowing in apology, they expressed regret over the scandal’s impact on the network and the wider entertainment industry.
“I feel deeply the weight of my responsibility for undermining trust in the media,” said Minato. “Looking back, I realise there were shortcomings in our response.”
Minato previously admitted that Fuji TV had knowledge of the allegations soon after the incident but opted to remain silent, citing the woman’s “physical and mental recovery” and “protection of her privacy” as their reasons. However, this justification has done little to quell public anger.
Last month, reports surfaced that Nakai had paid the unnamed woman a settlement exceeding half a million dollars. Further allegations then emerged, suggesting a Fuji TV employee had been involved in arranging the dinner party where the incident allegedly took place.
Nakai has denied using violence against the woman, stating that he had “resolved” the matter through a settlement. Despite this, public backlash has intensified, with major brands—including car manufacturers Nissan and Toyota—pulling their advertisements from Fuji TV.
In an open letter, investment firm Rising Sun Management, the majority shareholder of Fuji TV’s parent company, strongly criticized the network, stating that the scandal “exposes serious flaws in your corporate governance.”
In response, Fuji TV has established an independent committee to investigate the matter. Newly appointed President Kenji Shimizu, who will replace Minato, vowed to implement reforms and prevent future misconduct. “I will never tolerate acts that violate human rights and will start from scratch to rebuild trust,” he stated.
The scandal has had far-reaching consequences, with Fuji TV suspending a weekly program hosted by Nakai earlier this month. Other networks have also dropped the presenter, and some have launched their own internal investigations amid reports that similar celebrity-hosted dinner parties are common practice in the industry.
The Japanese government has urged Fuji TV to take decisive action to restore public trust, as the fallout continues to reverberate across the entertainment sector.
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