Fuji TV‘s top executives, chairman Shuji Kano and president Koichi Minato, resigned on Monday following a scandal involving former SMAP member Masahiro Nakai. The scandal has shaken Japan’s entertainment industry and prompted public outrage.
During a press conference, both executives apologized for the damage caused. Minato admitted that Fuji TV had known about the allegations shortly after the incident but had not disclosed them, citing concerns for the woman’s privacy and recovery.
Reports revealed that Nakai paid the unnamed woman over half a million dollars, with further allegations that a Fuji TV employee helped arrange the dinner party.
Nakai denied using violence and claimed the issue was resolved through a settlement, but this did not calm public anger.
The scandal led major companies like Nissan and Toyota to pull their advertising from Fuji TV. The Rising Sun Management investment firm, Fuji TV’s majority shareholder, criticized the network’s corporate governance.
In response, Fuji TV has launched an independent investigation and appointed Kenji Shimizu as the new president. Shimizu vowed to tackle human rights violations and prevent similar incidents.
This scandal follows reports of similar practices involving celebrities across the industry, prompting investigations by other networks as well.
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