On March 19, 2025, TV Asahi made headlines by announcing significant disciplinary actions against a key employee in the wake of serious allegations involving misuse of company funds and workplace harassment. The company revealed that the Executive Director of the Content Production Department's 2nd Production Department, aged 50, had been involved in a financial scandal that spanned nearly six years, from 2019 to January 2025. During this period, the executive improperly charged the company for personal dining expenses and other costs, ultimately amounting to approximately 5.17 million yen.
As detailed in the official announcement, the employee’s infractions included submitting a staggering total of 1,686 expense claims for personal activities to the company. This revelation was particularly shocking, considering that the individual in question was the director of the popular variety show "Nasu D Adventure TV," which has become a staple on the network.
The moment of reckoning for the executive came after an internal audit conducted in October 2024 uncovered these discrepancies. Following the investigation, the executive admitted to the improper financial conduct and has reportedly returned the full amount of misappropriated funds.
In addition to the financial misconduct, the investigation revealed that the executive engaged in power harassment, displaying behavior that involved repeatedly making derogatory remarks about the personalities of multiple staff members. This power harassment was confirmed to have occurred in external editing rooms and raised serious concerns about the workplace environment.
TV Asahi acted swiftly following the findings, demoting the executive and canceling the broadcast of "Nasu D Adventure TV." This decision not only marks the end for a program that gained notoriety for its unconventional approach to storytelling but also underscores the network’s commitment to addressing compliance failures within its organization.
The network also announced that three supervisors, including the Content Creation Department Manager, were subjected to salary deductions for their roles in overseeing the situation. Furthermore, the network's senior executive director, Nishi Shin, voluntarily chose to return 10% of his executive compensation for three months as a symbolic gesture of accountability.
TV Asahi issued a public apology, emphasizing its dedication to restoring public trust and enhancing governance. "This incident has resulted in serious compliance violations, and we take such matters very seriously. We pledge to implement immediate improvements to our expense processing oversight and significantly bolster our governance measures," the company stated, reiterating its commitment to rebuilding trust with viewers and stakeholders.
This scandal comes on the heels of a previous controversy involving the same executive, who became widely known after his appearance on the show "Land, Sea, Air - How to Conquer the World at This Hour" in 2017. During that show, he famously painted his body with a black dye to portray the appearance of a native Peruvian tribe, which gained him both fame and notoriety.
While the colorful antics made him a household name, critics have pointed to a longstanding culture of excess and entitlement surrounding the "Nasu D" persona, which was largely cultivated during his time with the network. Sources from within the television production industry speculate that the glamor surrounding his public persona may have contributed to a sense of immunity regarding his actions and ultimately led to this latest scandal.
In a more recent development, social media has exploded with reactions to the news. Fans and former followers of the show have expressed shock and disbelief, with many remarking on the rapid deletion of the show's official social media accounts following the announced cancellation. On platforms like X (formerly Twitter), users have commented on the abrupt disappearance of the "Nasu D" brand, reflecting the deep disappointment among fans who once celebrated the eccentric and adventurous upbringing of the executive.
The ramifications of this scandal will likely extend beyond the immediate disciplinary actions taken against the executive. As the network seeks to restore its credibility, it must address the broader implications of leadership oversight and build a corporate culture that better aligns with ethical practices.
In summary, the fallout from this incident at TV Asahi is a pivotal moment that will challenge both the network and its executives to restore integrity and trust in their operations. The cancellation of "Nasu D Adventure TV" not only signals a significant shift in the network's programming but also stands as a tangible reminder of the accountability that must accompany the privileges of leadership within media organizations.
