Former star of J-pop band SMAP Masahiro Nakai resigned after several damning reports and suspicions that broadcasting giant Fuji TV covered up the assault case. The scandal is part of a wave of sexual assault cases hitting the Japanese entertainment industry.
ADVERTISEMENTMasahiro Nakai, one of Japan’s top TV hosts and a former pop star in the band SMAP, announced today that he was retiring to take responsibility over sexual assault allegations.
Weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun reported in December that Nakai had reached a 90 million yen (approx. €558,000) settlement with a woman over the alleged sex assault at a 2023 dinner party that Fuji TV staff allegedly helped to organize. He acknowledged “a trouble” and a settlement, while denying any violence, in a statement earlier this month.
The magazine has also alleged that Fuji TV has long exploited its female announcers to entertain stars like Nakai.
“I, Masahiro Nakai, is retiring from entertainment activity as of today,” Nakai said in a statement distributed to his paid fan club and posted on social media by apparent members. Japanese media also confirmed and reported his retirement.
“I am truly sorry for causing trouble and losses to so many people,” Nakai said, and repeated his “sincere apology” to the woman. “I’m really, really sorry for saying good-bye this way … Sayonara.”
As reported earlier this week, major Japanese advertisers were fleeing broadcast giant Fuji Television following the alleged sex scandal involving the former boy band idol turned TV host.
Firms and major sponsors like automakers Toyota and Nissan, as well as cosmetics maker Shiseido and retailer Seven &I Holding Co. were among more than 50 companies pulling their spots from the network amid allegations company officials tried to cover up the scandal.
After many commercials were withdrawn, Fuji TV President Koichi Minato acknowledged the company had been aware of the problem six months before the magazine report and hadn’t disclosed it. Minato apologized and said Fuji TV would investigate the case but also said he believed his employees had not done anything wrong.
Fuji Television Network’s vice-chairperson Ryunosuke Endo, who is also head of Japanese commercial broadcasters’ association, in a televised live news conference Thursday noted Nakai’s retirement was his “personal decision” but said Nakai was part of the upcoming investigation and that he hoped for his sincere cooperation.
This scandal is part of a wave of sexual assault cases hitting the Japanese entertainment industry, including the absues of hundreds of young men by talent mogul Johnny Kitagawa, whose now-defunct agency Johnny & Associates managed many boy bands, including SMAP.
