On January 27, 2025, Hiroshi Ikushima, 74, suddenly stepped down as the host of two popular TBS radio shows, broadcasting his farewell to listeners amid allegations of serious compliance violations. TBS Radio officially announced Ikushima's departure, stating, "We have confirmed substantial compliance violations against Mr. Ikushima contrary to our group’s human rights policy; hence, we judged it impossible for him to continue as part of the programming." The announcement shocked fans and ignited conversations online about the host's legacy and the media's role.
The abrupt nature of this announcement left many questions unanswered, especially about the specifics of the alleged violations. Ikushima has been with TBS since 1976, establishing himself as one of the nation’s most recognizable media personalities. His show, which launched in 1998, was approaching its 7,000th episode, marking significant longevity and impact within the industry.
Meanwhile, on Cultural Broadcasting, Tomoko Nagano's program welcomed political journalist Koichi Kakutani, who weighed in on the state of television today and the changing culture within networks like Fuji TV. During their January 20 broadcast, Kakutani commented on Fuji’s past, stating, "Fuji TV has always had this festival-like atmosphere, almost like cultural fairs. Many young people are drawn to the excitement of events rather than the serious news environment.”
Nagano echoed Kakutani's sentiments, reflecting on how television's climate has evolved over the decades, particularly after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, when viewer preferences began to shift dramatically. Kakutani added, "Television has changed, and producers face the need to adapt to current societal dynamics, which waver between sensationalism and serious journalism. There remains, though, this tendency for networks to revert to previous successful formats, which can stagnate creative growth.”
This sense of nostalgia for glory days at Fuji TV resurfaces throughout discussions. Kakutani referred to the programming innovations like "Super Time," where anchors standing instead of sitting brought about refreshing changes, stating, "It’s fascinating how the format transformed viewer engagement at the time and can even be considered revolutionary. People weren’t used to this setup, creating new ways for stories to be presented, dramatically shifting the entire news culture on television.”
Kakutani's commentary shifts gears as he reflects on the current challenges faced by Fuji TV, stating, "The times have changed, and the public's viewing habits have also evolved, particularly with the influence of digitization and mobile viewership. It's easy to dismiss media's relevance as the years evolve, but the industry continuously battles for its sustainability.”
Aside from Ikushima's exit, there were reactions from former Fuji TV announcer Hitomi Nakamura. On January 27th, she appeared on TBS's "Gogo Sma~ Go Go! Smile!" stating unequivocally, "The company must protect the staff who are seriously facing program production, and I want them to honestly share what they can speak about today." Nakamura, who spent 15 years at Fuji until 2017, passionately advocated for the integrity of creative staff within the industry.
With this week’s developments, industry observers have noted how the recent compliance drive reflects underlying cultural shifts and concerns over ethical media practices. There has been widespread discussion about the need for broadcasters to uphold standards and invest efforts to create environments where staff can thrive creatively and ethically.
Following Ikushima's announcement, public reactions were significant. Many listeners took to social media platforms expressing their confusion and dismay at the news, with comments such as, "What happened to Hiroshi Ikushima?" and "Why did there suddenly have to be such drastic changes?" The network's hasty handling of the situation, coupled with the lack of transparency surrounding compliance violations, raised eyebrows and prompted urgent discussions about the accountability of media figures.
Nagano, reflecting on the changes she has witnessed over her career, noted, "Television nets have undergone massive transformations, from the glittering images of the 90s to today's challenging media landscapes. There are new pressures to introduce fresh concepts and adapt to shifting viewer expectations.”
Kakutani concluded the conversation on Cultural Broadcasting with optimism about the future of the industry, averring, "Television will continue to evolve; meanwhile, we must navigate through these turbulent water and adapt creatively. While it may often feel like we’re facing monumental challenges, we are resilient and will find ways to revitalize our craft.”
The future of both TBS and Fuji Television remains to be seen as they navigate internal challenges and public scrutiny amid these recent developments. With each change, viewers and media professionals are left pondering what lies next for the networks and their invaluable role within Japanese society.