Masahiro Nakai Retires Following Sexual Misconduct Allegations

The former SMAP member and TV host steps away as Fuji TV faces scrutiny over its handling of the case and broader industry practices.

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.