Top executives resign over Japanese TV host's sex scandal

The chairman and president of Japan's major television network, Fuji Television, have resigned following allegations of sexual misconduct against a prominent TV host. This incident has sparked widespread concern and led multiple companies to withdraw their advertising from the network.

It is reported that the host, Masahiro Nakai, is accused of sexually assaulting a woman at a dinner party organized by Fuji Television employees in 2023. Nakai announced his retirement from the entertainment industry last week. Fuji Television has faced severe criticism for attempting to cover up the scandal, prompting numerous companies to pull their advertising in protest.

The Japanese government has called on Fuji Television to rebuild trust with viewers and sponsors. At a press conference on Monday, Fuji Television Chairman Shuji Kano and President Koichi Minato bowed in apology and announced their resignations. These resignations came shortly after an emergency board meeting. They apologized to viewers and stakeholders, expressing remorse for the distress and anxiety caused by the scandal that has shaken Japan's entertainment industry.

Koichi Minato stated, "I deeply feel my responsibility for undermining the trust in the media. Looking back, I realize there were shortcomings in our response." Minato previously acknowledged that the company was aware of the allegations against Nakai shortly after the alleged incident occurred. However, Fuji Television chose not to disclose the matter publicly at the time, citing "prioritizing the woman's physical and mental recovery and protecting her privacy."

Last month, reports surfaced that Nakai had paid the unnamed woman over $500,000 in a settlement. Subsequently, more allegations emerged, claiming that a Fuji Television employee had assisted in arranging the dinner party. Nakai has denied using violence against the woman and stated that he had "resolved" the matter through the settlement. However, this has not quelled public outrage.

Several automakers, including Nissan and Toyota, have withdrawn their advertisements from Fuji Television. Rising Sun Management, a major shareholder in Fuji Television's parent company, stated in an open letter that the scandal "exposed serious deficiencies in your company's corporate governance."

Fuji Television has established an independent committee to investigate the scandal. Kenji Shimizu, the executive vice president who will succeed Minato as president, stated that he will "absolutely not tolerate human rights violations" and pledged to prevent similar incidents from happening again by starting "from scratch." Earlier this month, the network suspended a weekly program hosted by Nakai, and other major networks have also halted their collaborations with the host.

Other television networks have also announced they will launch their own investigations, following reports that similar dinner parties involving celebrities are a common practice in the industry. This series of events has revealed potentially deep-seated issues within Japan's entertainment industry and sparked widespread public discussion about media ethics and responsibility.