Fuji Television's management faced intense scrutiny during their second press conference on January 27, 2025, following former talent Nakai Masahiro's allegations of misconduct and subsequent retirement from the entertainment industry. The tense atmosphere was marked by pointed questions from female journalists aimed at the executives present, highlighting the failures perceived within Fuji's corporate culture.
Present at the conference were Fuji Media Holdings Chairman Kanao Shuji, Fuji Television President Minato Koichi, Vice Chairman Endo Ryunosuke, and Suidai Gold Light, the new president set to take the reins at Fuji Television. Notably, Kanao and Minato announced their resignations during this tumultuous gathering, which was perceived as necessary after public backlash over the mishandling of the allegations against Nakai.
Questions erupted from the press as one female journalist confronted Fuji's upper management directly. “How did you feel when you learned about the problem? It doesn’t seem like any anger has been conveyed,” she challenged. Endo reflected on his feelings when he learned of the issue through tabloid reports last December, stating he was left “shocked.” He acknowledged the “outline of the incident is slowly becoming clear, but the specifics of the trouble between the two parties remain unknown.”
Pressing on, the journalist pressed, “If you still don’t know what happened, doesn’t it look like you’re resigning only because of the sponsors pulling out? Are you still unaware of the incident’s details?” Endo admitted he was still gathering information, hoping the female plaintiff's representatives and Nakai could shed light on the story. This exchange, intense and uninterrupted for nearly 13 minutes, showcased the media's demand for accountability.
Minato, on the other hand, displayed some frustration when he stated he had “felt anger” over the incident. When asked who he directed this anger toward, he hesitated before stating it was directed at Nakai. “I feel anger toward Nakai too,” he stated, adding he was prompted by reports on the involvement of Fuji employees with Nakai and felt the need for thorough investigation.
Previous reports had insinuated connections between Nakai and various female announcers from other networks, raising concerns of workplace misconduct within Fuji. The episode exemplifies dire mismanagement after what was described as “an environment enabling cross-network female announcer hospitality”—an issue at the center of the current scandal.
Initial reactions to the press conference were mixed, with many expressing concerns about the apparent lack of urgency from Fuji Television's executives. Critiques surfaced online, with viewers commenting, “Why isn’t president Hieda here?” and “Isn’t he responsible for all of this?” It became clear many had hoped for Hieda, Fuji’s powerful board member, to address the situation directly, rather than leaving his managers to fend for themselves under intense questioning.
Fuji’s previous press conference, held on January 17, was criticized for being overly restrictive, with video recording prohibited and only select media allowed. The backlash from sponsors and general public perception led to this restructured press meeting, which was more open and accommodating to the media, though the adaptation was not without its hiccups. During the long event, outbursts from the press interrupted the flow, with shouts of “This isn’t informative enough!” echoing through the hall.
Despite the tension, the press conference showcased the company's willingness to adapt and respond to growing media and public pressure. The current acknowledgement of the shortcomings related to Nakai’s allegations may signal a transformative moment for Fuji Television, which has been criticized for cultivating a culture of silence around misconduct claims.
The fallout from this meeting is expected to ripple through Fuji Television, with stakeholders eagerly watching how the network navigates its next steps. This case could potentially lead to significant changes both within the company's management structure and its public relations strategies.
This situation continues to attract attention from both domestic media and international observers, as it raises strong questions about workplace culture and the accountability of well-known entertainment figures.
Overall, Fuji Television's leadership acknowledges their procedural failures and seeks to mitigate the damage from this extensive scandal involving Nakai, which has highlighted troubling aspects of their internal culture.