On the evening of the 23rd, Fuji Television made headlines as management held a significant company-wide meeting to address growing concerns among its employees following allegations of staff involvement in the talent scandal involving former star Naka Masahiro. The company convened this gathering, which drew over 500 attendees, including both on-site and online participants, aiming to clarify details and express regret over the situation.
During the briefing, President Koichi Minato took center stage, offering heartfelt apologies. "I deeply apologize for the great worry and inconvenience this issue has caused," he stated, addressing the frustration felt by many employees who have been affected by the fallout of this scandal.
Chairman Yoshiharu Kano opened the meeting by acknowledging the company's previous failures to provide adequate communication about the scandal. This lack of clarity had led to anger among staff members and mounting pressure on the company's leadership to respond responsibly. "We want to use this experience as momentum to recover our trust with both our employees and audiences," Kano stated, seeking to reinvigorate confidence within the organization.
The session lasted approximately four and a half hours, during which Minato tackled over 200 pre-submitted questions, demonstrating the management's commitment to transparency. "I felt it was unacceptable and understand the gravity of my responsibility," Minato reflected on the inadequacies of his previous press conference, indicating shoring up communication within the organization was now his top priority.
Initially, Fuji Television faced backlash for holding the prior conference on the 17th with restricted access, refusing television cameras to enter the room—a move perceived as avoiding scrutiny. Minato candidly admitted, "Looking back, I felt we failed to convey the essence of what needed to be discussed. This time, we recognized the need to address our team directly." His remarks on the challenges of handling such sensitive matters and the expectations of media engagement signaled their desire to rebuild not just external trust but internal morale.
Employees had expressed deep concern over the impact of the allegations, which not only tarnish Fuji Television's reputation but also jeopardize their future business prospects as sponsors reportedly began to reassess their partnerships. With commercial clients wavering, the company now faces the dual pressure of regaining public trust and ensuring its staff remain confident and committed to future projects.
The scandal originated from revelations surrounding Naka Masahiro, prompting intense scrutiny on Fuji Television, particularly on how closely their executives interacted with talent and whether there were adequate safeguards to protect staff interests.
Despite the serious tone of the meeting, employees also shared constructive feedback, voicing the necessity for stronger crisis management protocols. One employee expressed, "If our current systemic method is inadequate, we should seriously explore bringing external expertise to bolster our safeguards." Such sentiments reflect the urgency among staff for accountability and structural improvement within Fuji Television's framework.
The need for demonstrable change was also echoed by Minato, who emphasized the formation of an investigative committee led by external lawyers. This committee will explore allegations of employee misconduct related to Naka's scandal and any necessary parties responsible for maintaining ethical filming practices.
Reflecting on the gathering, Minato emphasized the importance of continuous dialogue with employees and shared his hope for collective healing and progress. Although the road to fully restoring public and employee trust will be long, the response detailed during the briefing sets the course for accountability, transparency, and renewed commitment to maintaining high ethics within the workplace.
The day concluded with mixed feelings among employees—some appreciated the transparency they craved, but tension simmered as uncertainty loomed over the company's future initiatives. Miniato's resolve to confront these issues head-on will undoubtedly influence Fuji Television's ability to navigate the waters of reform and reinstate confidence.