Overview

• Masahiro Nakai, a former SMAP member and prominent TV host, announced his retirement after allegations of sexual misconduct involving a 2023 incident and a ¥90 million settlement.
• Fuji TV, where Nakai hosted a weekly show, suspended his program and initiated an independent investigation into the allegations and the possible involvement of its staff in organizing the meeting.
• Major advertisers, including Toyota, McDonald’s, and Nissan, have pulled their commercials from Fuji TV, citing dissatisfaction with the broadcaster's response to the scandal.
• The case has drawn parallels to the Johnny Kitagawa abuse scandal, prompting renewed criticism of Japan’s entertainment industry's handling of misconduct allegations.
• Fuji TV shares have dropped significantly, and its leadership has faced backlash for delayed transparency and limited media access during press conferences.