On January 17, 2025, Fuji Television held an emergency press conference to address serious harassment allegations involving talent Naka Masahiro. The event took place at the company’s headquarters in Odaiba, Tokyo, and featured Koichi Minato, the president of Fuji Television, and announcer Ami Miyaji, who represented the concerns of the staff.
The conference was spurred by increasing media scrutiny after reports surfaced about Masahiro's interactions with women and the potential involvement of Fuji employees. The press gathering lasted over 100 minutes, as Minato articulated the company’s plan to establish an external investigative committee, led by outside lawyers, to undertake thorough scrutiny of the allegations.
Miyaji, appearing on the Fuji program Live News It! just after the conference, shared her frustration about the situation, stating, “There are many colleagues who are hurt due to unintended attention from this series of reports. They are very hurt and are placed in frustrating situations where they cannot explain themselves.” She passionately called for the company to maintain transparency not just with the public but internally with its employees as well.
During the press conference, President Minato began by offering apologies for previously failing to provide adequate explanations to the public, which he attributed to the sensitive nature of the incidents. He acknowledged the need for company reform, openly admitting the challenges faced when handling such serious matters. “We sincerely apologize for not being able to provide explanations until now and will establish the investigative committee to look back at the matter,” Minato stated, reassuring audiences of his commitment to address the issues effectively.
Miyaji underlined the internal turmoil, emphasizing the difficult emotional state her colleagues faced and advocating for organized support and communications from Fuji management. “I feel strongly about investigating what fundamentally occurred with third-party oversight, and it should contribute to the company's rebirth as we address this to our believing viewers,” she expressed during her time on-air following the conference.
The conversation surrounding the allegations highlights the need for renewed trust and integrity within the broadcasting giant. Employees have expressed feeling exposed to scrutiny due to the surrounding media attention, exacerbated by the sensitive and often stigmatized nature of harassment allegations.
The 17th of January marked not just another day for Fuji Television but potentially the start of significant change as the company swiftly responded to the criticisms and reassurances they had made to their public and staff about prioritizing ethical standards and transparency.
Moving forward, the establishment of the investigative committee stands as Fuji Television's commitment to thoroughly addressing the allegations and focusing on protecting the rights and well-being of both viewers and employees; provided the internal reviews and communications reflect the seriousness with which they are taking these matters, it could signal the start of rebuilding their reputation.
This incident poses larger questions about the media industry’s accountability and the ever-present challenges surrounding harassment. It serves as both a cautionary tale of the repercussions resulting from mishandling sensitive issues, as well as potentially paving the way for meaningful, necessary reforms to the corporate culture at Fuji Television.