Fuji Television is facing significant upheaval following the resignation of its top executives amid serious allegations involving one of Japan's most famous TV personalities, Masahiro Nakai. The network's president, Koichi Minato, and board chairperson, Shuji Kanoh, stepped down on January 29, 2025, after public outcry over their handling of allegations of sexual misconduct linked to Nakai, who previously led the popular boy band SMAP.
The scandal first came to light when reports surfaced of Nakai's involvement in alleged sexual assault during a dinner party organized by Fuji TV staff back in June 2023. Accusations made against Nakai have gained momentum since they were published by various media outlets, leading to revelations of potential corporate malfeasance within Fuji Television. The network has reportedly suffered substantial advertising losses, with major brands like Nissan and Toyota withdrawing their ads as dissatisfaction grew among the public toward the executives' perceived attempts to cover up the scandal.
During the press conference where the resignations were announced, Minato took full responsibility, stating, "We are very sorry to have destroyed our credibility." He acknowledged prior knowledge of the allegations but cited the need to protect the unnamed victim's privacy as the reason for Fuji TV's delayed public disclosure.
"Looking back, I realize there were shortcomings in our response," he added, underscoring the network's failure to act appropriately after learning of the incident. Minato admitted, "There were shortcomings in our response," indicating awareness of the widespread frustration with how Fuji TV managed matters relating to the alleged victim.
This troubling case reflects broader issues of sexual misconduct within Japan's entertainment industry, often described as part of the delayed #MeToo movement. Recent years have seen numerous allegations come forward, highlighting systematic problems within corporate environments, including calls for independent investigations and systemic changes.
Meanwhile, Nakai, who has been under intense scrutiny since the allegations emerged, announced his retirement from the entertainment industry last week, asserting he had “resolved” the matter with the woman through private settlement. Reports state Nakai paid more than half a million dollars to the unnamed accuser, even as he continues to assert he did not engage in violence or misconduct.
Echoing the sentiment of public outrage, Aoki Kanon, a former Fuji TV announcer, recently shared her experiences with sexual harassment by other network executives. "I resisted once, but after being persistently approached for 2-3 weeks, I found myself in a situation where I couldn’t refuse," she shared, calling attention to the exploitative practices not just faced by the victim of the Nakai scandal but throughout the industry.
During the press conference, Fuji TV's executives faced tough questioning from reporters eager for more clarity on the events surrounding the allegations. With fierce scrutiny on their corporate practices, the government has called on the network to regain public trust and to implement concrete measures to prevent any repeat of such incidents.
The fallout continues for Fuji TV. Industry insiders report the scandal has already cost the network around $150 million in lost ad revenue. Many companies have pulled their endorsements, and the government has urged for transparency moving forward. The previous complacency of executives toward the pressing issues of sexual misconduct has been sharply criticized as being out of touch with shifting attitudes within Japan's society.
With their resignations, Minato and Kanoh accepted full accountability for the distress caused to viewers and sponsors. “I feel deeply the weight of my responsibility for undermining trust in the media,” Minato said. The impact of these events highlights the need for substantial reform within Fuji TV, both to address the present scandal and to combat the longstanding issues faced within the entertainment industry at large.
The severity of the situation has catalyzed discussions about gender roles within corporate Japan, with Minato recognizing the outdated mindset of Fuji’s leadership. "We need to update our mindset," he stated, indicating the need for the network to evolve alongside modern expectations.
Fuji TV has since initiated steps toward recovery, including the formation of an independent committee to investigate the circumstances leading to Nakai's alleged actions. Investigation results are expected to be publicized by March. Observers are hopeful this could potentially pave the way for overdue accountability and change within Japan's entertainment sector.
While the immediate consequences appear dire, the scandal also offers a glimpse of progress as attitudes toward sexual misconduct begin to shift. It remains to be seen how Fuji TV and the entire industry will navigate through such turbulent waters, but the call for systemic reform has never been clearer.