Fuji TV Faces Advertising Exodus Over Masahiro Nakai Sex Scandal

Over 50 companies, including major brands like Toyota and Shiseido, have withdrawn ads following allegations of sexual misconduct and a reported cover-up by the network.

• Masahiro Nakai, former SMAP idol and prominent Fuji TV host, is accused of sexual assault at a 2023 dinner party, leading to a reported ¥90 million settlement.
• Nakai denies any violence but acknowledges settling the case, which was first reported by the magazine Shukan Bunshun in December 2024.
• Fuji TV is under fire for allegedly concealing knowledge of the incident for six months before the story became public.
• Fuji TV President Koichi Minato’s recent press conference was widely criticized for a lack of transparency and accountability, prompting advertisers to pull out.
• The controversy adds to broader scrutiny of Japan's entertainment industry, already reeling from abuse revelations tied to Johnny & Associates, former managers of SMAP.

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