Fuji TV Leadership Resigns Amid Sexual Misconduct Scandal
The chairman and president of Japan’s Fuji TV, one of the country’s largest broadcasters, have resigned following a sexual misconduct scandal that has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry.
Shuji Kano and Koichi Minato announced their resignations on Monday after growing public outrage over the network’s handling of allegations against Masahiro Nakai, a former boy band star and longtime Fuji TV host.
At a press conference following an emergency board meeting, Kano and Minato bowed deeply—a traditional gesture of remorse in Japan—as they formally apologized to viewers and stakeholders.
“I feel deeply the weight of my responsibility for undermining trust in the media,” Minato said. “Looking back, I realize there were shortcomings in our response.”
Allegations and Cover-Up Claims
Nakai was accused of sexually assaulting a woman at a 2023 dinner party allegedly organized by Fuji TV staff. Reports emerged last month that he had privately settled the case for more than half a million dollars.
Minato admitted that Fuji TV was aware of the allegations shortly after the incident but chose not to disclose them, saying the network prioritized the woman’s privacy and well-being. However, critics have accused the broadcaster of attempting to cover up the scandal.
The controversy has led to a wave of corporate backlash. Major brands, including Nissan and Toyota, have suspended advertising on Fuji TV, while Rising Sun Management, the majority shareholder of the network’s parent company, criticized the scandal as a “serious failure of corporate governance.”
The Japanese government has urged Fuji TV to take steps to restore public trust, emphasizing the need for greater accountability in the country’s media industry.
Network Promises Reform
In response, Fuji TV has established an independent committee to investigate the case. Kenji Shimizu, the network’s executive vice president, will take over as president and has vowed to implement sweeping reforms.
“I will never tolerate acts that violate human rights,” Shimizu said, pledging to overhaul internal policies to prevent similar incidents.
Fuji TV has already suspended Nakai’s weekly program, while other networks are now reviewing their own internal practices. Reports suggest that celebrity dinner parties of this nature are a widespread issue within the industry, raising concerns about accountability across Japan’s entertainment sector.
