Fuji TV leaders resign amid sexual misconduct case

The chairman and president of Fuji TV, one of Japan's largest broadcasters, have resigned following a sexual misconduct allegation against former famous TV personality Masahiro Nakai.

Koichi Minato, president of Fuji Television, resigned with immediate effect, while Shuji Kano, chairman of both Fuji Television and its parent company, Fuji Media Holdings, also stepped down. Kenji Shimizu, executive vice-president of Fuji Media Holdings, will take over as president of the television network.

The resignations come as the broadcaster faces intense public and industry backlash over handling the allegations. Reports indicate that a Fuji TV employee was involved in organising the 2023 dinner party where reportedly Nakai was involved in non-consensual sexual activity. While Nakai denied allegations of “violence,” he admitted to getting himself “in trouble” and resolved the matter through an out-of-court settlement. Following the revelations, more than 50 blue-chip advertisers—nearly a third of Fuji's roster—have withdrawn or paused their sponsorships.

At a press conference on January 27, following an emergency board meeting, Shuji Kano and Koichi Minato bowed and apologised to viewers and stakeholders for the scandal’s impact on the industry.

"I feel deeply the weight of my responsibility for undermining trust in the media," Minato said. "Looking back, I realise there were shortcomings in our response."

Minato’s successor, Kenji Shimizu, has pledged to rebuild trust, stating, "We will never tolerate acts that violate human rights." He committed to prioritising reforms to prevent similar incidents.

The incident and advertiser fallout

Masahiro Nakai, a former member of the boy band SMAP and a high-profile figure in Japanese entertainment, was accused of sexually assaulting a woman during a private dinner party reportedly arranged by a Fuji TV staff member in December 2023. Nakai claimed the matter was resolved through an out-of-court settlement, reportedly exceeding ¥90 million ($580,000).

What enraged advertisers is Fuji's admittance to being aware of the allegations for six months but withheld disclosure, claiming it prioritised the woman’s physical and mental recovery and privacy. Critics, including advertisers and shareholders, have condemned the broadcaster for its lack of transparency and accountability. 

More than 50 advertisers, including major brands such as Nissan, Toyota, Honda, Sheisido, Suntory etc. have pulled their campaigns from Fuji TV, amplifying the crisis. Rising Sun Management, the majority shareholder of Fuji Media Holdings, issued an open letter criticising the company's corporate governance and calling for immediate reforms to restore trust.

The Japanese government has also urged Fuji TV to take steps to rebuild its reputation with viewers and sponsors.

The incident has sent shockwaves through Japan’s entertainment industry, prompting other networks such as the Tokyo Broadcasting System to launch its own internal investigations. Reports suggest that celebrity-hosted dinner parties, similar to the one involving Nakai, are a common practice in the Japanese media industry.