Tokyo: Two top executives at Fuji TV, Japan’s leading television network, have resigned after a sexual misconduct scandal surrounding famous TV host Masahiro Nakai.
Public Backlash and Company Resignations
Shuji Kano, Fuji TV’s chairman, and Koichi Minato, the network’s president, both stepped down following an emergency board meeting on Monday. Both executives bowed and apologized publicly for their role in the scandal. This follows growing criticism from viewers and corporate sponsors, leading to a loss of advertisements for Fuji TV.
Their resignations came after Nakai, who was accused of sexual assault at a dinner party in 2023, announced his departure from the entertainment industry. Nakai denied the allegations but said he resolved the issue privately, including a settlement worth more than $500,000 with the unnamed woman.
The Allegation and Network’s Response
The scandal surfaced in December 2024, with Nakai accused of assaulting a woman at a dinner party arranged by Fuji TV. Details emerged suggesting that the network’s management was aware of the allegations but chose not to report them for over a year. In the meantime, Fuji TV opted to prioritize the woman’s recovery while keeping the incident confidential.
The government and advertisers expressed dissatisfaction with the company’s handling of the matter. Notably, several major firms, including Nissan and Toyota, pulled advertisements from Fuji TV after the allegations became public. Investment group Rising Sun Management criticized the network’s corporate governance and demanded improvements.
Public and Government Reactions
The Japanese government has pressured Fuji TV to restore trust with the public. Executive vice president Kenji Shimizu, who will replace Minato, stated that Fuji TV must begin “from scratch” to prevent such issues from reoccurring. He also emphasized that no such violations of human rights would be tolerated moving forward.
Shimizu announced that an independent committee will review the matter thoroughly. Other Japanese media outlets also pledged to investigate similar allegations, highlighting how dinner parties involving celebrities had become a common practice in Japan’s entertainment industry.
Changes
In an effort to recover from the damage done, Fuji TV has taken down Nakai’s popular show and other content featuring him. The suspension of these programs reflects the network’s commitment to maintaining accountability. They face the task of rebuilding credibility while dealing with the ongoing scrutiny over their management of the case.
Fuji TV’s scandal not only questions their ethical practices but also raises larger questions about the treatment of women and accountability in Japan’s corporate and entertainment sectors.
