On March 31, 2025, BS Fuji's news program 'BS Fuji LIVE Prime News' saw the withdrawal of commentator Osamu Machi. This decision came after a third-party committee, established in response to reports about Fuji Television, revealed serious allegations of harassment against Machi involving two junior female employees in the news department.
The committee's findings indicated that many employees expressed concerns about Machi's behavior, which included inappropriate comments and actions towards the women. The report stated that Fuji Television's response to these allegations was inadequate, allowing Machi to continue his role as a commentator and even receive promotions. This led to a workplace culture where employees felt that reporting incidents of sexual harassment or power harassment would be futile.
BS Fuji confirmed that discussions regarding Machi's participation in 'Prime News' were ongoing, but ultimately, it was decided that he would not appear on the program. Notably, Machi had resigned as a director of Fuji Television just days prior, on March 27, 2025.
The third-party committee, headed by Akira Takenouchi, also published a report detailing the investigation into a series of issues surrounding former talent Masahiro Nakai and his involvement in a separate incident with a woman. The committee emphasized the severity of the harassment allegations against Machi, stating that they constituted a "significant internal harassment case." This was part of the broader scrutiny following Nakai's situation.
The report highlighted that from around 2006 to 2007, Machi allegedly made harassing comments to two junior female employees. One of the women, referred to as Employee M, reported that Machi had invited her to dinner multiple times, and during one occasion, he took her on a drive to Misaki to eat Maguro, watch fireworks, and see a horror movie. After this incident, she began to reject his invitations, but reported that he subsequently withheld work-related memos from her and reprimanded her publicly for delays in her work.
Similarly, another employee, referred to as Employee N, recounted that Machi had invited her to dinner and later began sending her messages asking for personal updates on her days off. When she declined his invitations, she faced inappropriate reprimands from him, which were sent to the entire department.
The report concluded that while Machi admitted to some actions, he denied the details of the harassment claims, stating he did not remember specifics. The committee indicated that the behavior described by the female employees constituted sexual harassment, as it created a hostile work environment.
In the aftermath of the report's release, social media buzzed with reactions. Kazuyoshi Shimoya, a former director, remarked on his X (formerly Twitter) account that the details of the sexual harassment were severe and damaging to Machi's reputation, stating that he and the Fuji employees were "completely finished" in light of the findings.
Another talent, Sonta Yakusho, humorously commented on the situation, asking what would happen to 'Prime News' and requesting a written proposal regarding the incident.
The public outcry surrounding the allegations against Machi and the subsequent investigation reflects a growing intolerance for harassment in the workplace, particularly in media environments where power dynamics can often lead to abuse. The case has raised important questions about how companies handle allegations of misconduct and the support systems in place for victims.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Fuji Television will address these issues moving forward, especially in light of the significant public scrutiny and the need for accountability in their organizational practices.
