Fuji Television is set to hold its second press conference today, January 27, at 4 PM JST, to address the scandal surrounding former talent Masahiro Nakai and the alleged involvement of its employees with him. This follows significant backlash resulting from the inadequacies of its earlier press conference held on January 17, criticized for being overly restricted, limiting media participation and providing insufficient information.
The latest conference will be streamed live on the FNN Prime Online YouTube channel, signifying Fuji's shift toward greater transparency. The previous conference was marked by limitations on participants and restrictions on video recording, causing public discontent and leading to calls for more accountability from the network.
Today's event will see no restrictions on the media, and the company has promised to answer questions without time constraints, allowing up to 500 journalists to participate. Acknowledging the necessity for rebuilding trust, Fuji's management will strive to rectify perceptions of secrecy and mismanagement. Koichi Minato, the president of Fuji Television, publicly noted, "The press conference held on the 17th cannot be accepted as something justifiable" during internal meetings leading to today's conference.
Despite the assurance of liberal media participation this time, Fuji has recognized concerns surrounding the potential for privacy violations of individuals involved. Management has indicated technical measures might be employed to mitigate such risks, likely delaying the start of the live stream by 10 minutes from its original schedule.
The main attendees for today's conference will be senior executives: Koichi Minato (President of Fuji Television), Ryuunosuke Endo (Vice Chairman), Shuji Kano (Chairman of Fuji Media Holdings), and Osamu Kanemitsu (President of Fuji Media Holdings).
Following the first press conference’s shortcomings, multiple advertisers chose to suspend their commercial partnerships with Fuji, reflecting the growing public outcry. The network has faced fell additional pressure from employees, with internal meetings showcasing rising demands for senior management's resignation as confidence dwindled. A spokesperson, reflecting on the dire need for change, stated, "We can no longer trust the current leadership to navigate this issue responsibly."
Critics have pointed out the lack of independence and promptness evidenced by Fuji's management as it navigated the situation surrounding Nakai's alleged misconduct. Reports emerged last December about the troubled relationships involving Nakai, exacerbated by the network's apparent willingness to engage him again on air, even after obtaining knowledge of these controversies.
The upcoming press conference aims to address the question of whether employees were truly uninvolved and whether the management's decisions post-awareness of the situation were appropriate. The performance of the management today could dictate the future course for Fuji Television, and it remains to be seen whether they will disclose plans for independent third-party inquiries.
Several previous employees have expressed their disappointments, urging for thorough investigations to clarify the integrity of corporate values at stake. The challenge is not merely about Nakai but rather about the overarching ethics and accountability of Fuji Television as it struggles to emerge unscathed from this growing scandal.
The stakes are clearly high as the conference approaches. The adequacy of responses can either help restore public confidence or lead to intensified scrutiny of the network's internal governance. It's no wonder public and media interest are surging, wondering whether the leadership will acknowledge their mistakes or stand resolutely amid calls for reform.
Today’s proceedings are likely to significantly shape how employees and viewers perceive Fuji Television moving forward. Transparency, sincerity, and action from leadership could prove decisive not just for their corporate reputation, but also for the wider media industry’s accountability.