Fuji Television found itself at the center of public scrutiny following allegations of employee misconduct linked to former talent Masahiro Nakai. The company, determined to address the situation head-on, conducted an unprecedented press conference on January 27, 2025, which spanned over ten hours—remarkably ending at 2:20 AM on the 28th.
Resolution was sought after the network’s initial conference on January 17, which lasted just 100 minutes and was heavily criticized for restricting media participation and disallowing video recording. This led to adverse reactions from advertisers, many of whom paused their commercial engagements with Fuji.
The January 27th conference began at 4 PM—with 437 reporters present and no limitations on questions, it turned out to be one of the longest press conferences on record. Attendees fired question after question, reflecting wide-ranging concern and frustration. By the end of the session, Fuji’s president Koichi Minato and chairman Shuji Kano announced their resignations, accepting responsibility for the controversy. They were both succeeded by Kenji Shimizu, who has vowed to restore the company’s reputation.
The long format of the conference is noteworthy, with the session breaking the previous domestic record set by Yoshimoto Kogyo for about five and half hours focused on 'dark business practices' involving talent. On the international stage, the conference’s length paled only to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's 14-hour, 7-minute briefing back in 2019, but it marks Fuji Television's most extensive media engagement.
Footage of the conference received high ratings on Fuji's media channels, with segments averaging between 7.5% and 13.1% viewership, peaking during the most intense exchanges. Audience interest surged as the network altered its programming to accommodate the live broadcast of the unprecedented announcement.
Afterward, Shimizu addressed reporters again early on the 28th, discussing the intricacies of his new leadership role and plans to restore trust throughout the company. He acknowledged the challenges faced during the previous day’s conference, where the nature of the allegations placed constraints on providing full transparency without triggering additional issues.
“I believe we must investigate the truth of the matter,” said Shimizu, emphasizing the urgency of accountability and the establishment of improvement procedures. He indicated support for creating external committees to analyze the troubling aspects of the situation thoroughly.
Despite the drawn-out conference, there were moments of frustration from both the media and representatives of Fuji due to certain topics remaining off-limits. Questions about the direct involvement of high-ranking officials, including why former advisory chairman Hisashi Hieda did not attend, persisted, illustrating the public’s demand for comprehensive responses.
“The question of employee involvement was significant, stirring discussion points.” Shimizu remarked, as he navigated the challenging responses needed to quell both internal and public scrutiny.
Shimizu underscored the necessity of fostering psychological safety for employees, aiming to create work environments where issues can be discussed freely without fear of retaliation. He drew parallels to Google’s acclaimed organizational practices, highlighting the value of transparent communication.
“Creating categories where employees can voice their anxieties is central to healing and moving forward,” Shimizu added, agreeing with external stakeholders about the need for substantial revisions to operational governance.
Ryuichi Tachibana, deputy secretary-general of the Cabinet Office, echoed Shimizu’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of quick and decisive actions to restore public pride and trust. “Fuji Television must act with integrity and rigor,” Tachibana stated, hinting at the wider ramifications if the situation is not addressed thoroughly.
The press conference marks not only the network's commitment to transparency following Nakai's scandal but also presents Fuji Television as striving to balance commercial interests with public accountability.
While clarity has been sought, the fallout from this situation could reverberate for quite some time as Fuji gears up for its next steps. More press engagements and internal reviews are anticipated as the network grapples with its image and strives for social reform contained within its operational guidelines.
This dramatic turn of events spotlights the intersection of media, corporate responsibility, and public sentiment—a narrative still developing as stakeholders await Fuji's next moves.
After spending over ten hours attempting to regain public trust, the question now is how Fuji Television will continue its rebuilding process and address the underlying concerns—truly beginning anew.