The recent resignation of top executives at Japan's Fuji Television Network has sent shockwaves through the country's broadcasting industry, resulting from explosive accusations involving former star Masahiro Nakai of the popular boy band SMAP. This scandal encompasses serious allegations of sexual assault during a 2023 dinner party, which had far-reaching effects on the network's credibility and finances.
On January 27, 2025, the president and chairperson of Fuji Television, Koichi Minato and Shuji Kanoh, announced their resignations following intense public criticism over the handling of the allegations connected to Nakai. The controversy intensified last December when weekly magazines began reporting details about the alleged misconduct, drawing attention to what many believe to be systematic cover-ups by network executives.
At the heart of the scandal is Nakai, who reportedly settled out of court with the woman involved for 90 million yen, equivalent to approximately $577,000, but has denied any violence or wrongdoing. During the lengthy press conference held by Fuji Television, Minato expressed regret, stating, "We are very sorry to have destroyed our credibility," highlighting the network's failure to appropriately address the victim's concerns.
Evidence has emerged of how Fuji Television managed the situation poorly, allowing Nakai to continue appearing on programs for nearly 18 months after the allegations surfaced. Disturbingly, it was disclosed by Minato during the press conference, "We did not report the case to the company’s compliance office until the magazine report came out." This assertion exacerbated public fury, leading to significant advertising losses, with over 70 companies, including major names like Toyota, severing ties with the network.
Public outcry intensified particularly due to Fuji TV's initially evasive and restrictive press conference format, which limited attendance and filming, leaving many reporters frustrated. This absence of transparency, coupled with previous reports from Shukan Bunshun magazine detailing the incident, has led to heightened scrutiny around Fuji TV’s corporate governance practices.
Minato characterized the incident as handled with varying degrees of care due to its classification as "extraordinary," which he claimed required maximum confidentiality to protect the victim’s mental health. Yet, critics have argued this reflects outdated attitudes within company leadership, as he admitted the organization needed to "update their mindset" concerning gender roles.
This scandal has cast light on wider misconduct issues throughout Japan’s media sector, reminiscent of the broader cultural reckoning sparked by the international #MeToo movement, which the country has been slow to address. Major networks including Nippon Television, TBS, and TV Tokyo are now undertaking reviews of their internal policies and past incidents as allegations increasingly surface.
The investigations spurred by U.S. fund Dalton Investments LLC, which called for independent review, have placed additional pressure on Fuji TV to regain public trust. An independent panel of lawyers has been commissioned to oversee the investigation and report back by March 2025, as hopes for significant governance reforms within the troubled network hang by a thread.
Reflecting on this turbulent chapter, Arata Oshima, former Fuji TV employee, lamented the entrenched culture of unaccountability rooted within the organization, criticising the long-standing influence of former president Hisashi Hieda, which many believe obstructed necessary reforms.
With the resignation of executives now finalized, the immediate future of Fuji Television remains uncertain. The ripple effect of Nakai’s scandals continues to haunt the network, severely impacting its operations and advertising revenue, potentially signalling a more extensive overhaul within Japan’s entertainment industry as it confronts its troubling legacy.