Latest news with #MasahiroNakai
Japan Times
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Japan Times
Fuji TV settles ‘sexual violence' case with apology and compensation to victim
Fuji TV settled with the victim of a 'sexual violence' incident — which occurred as an extension of the company's operations involving former TV personality Masahiro Nakai and a former female announcer at the broadcaster — with an apology and compensation. According to the network's statement released Thursday, Fuji TV President Kenji Shimizu apologized in-person to the unnamed woman over the incident, as well as the fact that the company did not respond appropriately despite her having reported the misconduct to the company. The company also took responsibility for having caused her additional emotional distress due to its initial reactions to the incident. The amount of the compensation was not disclosed. 'We express our deepest gratitude and sincere respect to Ms. A for giving us this opportunity to apologize," the statement read. In the meeting with the woman, Fuji TV also expressed its commitment to protecting her from any further verbal harassment and cyberbullying over the incident. The broadcaster also agreed to compensate for the financial and mental damages she received due to the company's poor handling of the incident. The major TV network has been embroiled in the series of scandals since the end of last year, when two weekly magazines reported on allegations of 'serious trouble' between the woman and Nakai, a former member of boy band SMAP. A third-party report on the company released in March described the incident as 'sexual violence' that occurred as an extension of how the TV network operated, bringing to light its poor handling of the aftermath as well as a culture of harassment. However, Nakai's side has been disputing the third-party report arguing that the characterization of the incident being 'sexual violence' was incorrect. On Friday, Nakai's lawyer released a statement following reports on Fuji TV's meeting with the woman, saying that 'both parties have the same human rights' and asking the media to be careful in the language they use when covering the case, TV Asahi reported. Since the incident, Fuji TV has revamped the company's board, as well as its parent company's board members, aside from the newly appointed Shimizu. The company and its executives are committed to plans of reform to reinvent their company and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
Fuji TV Apologizes to Ex-Worker over Nakai Scandal
News from Japan Culture Jun 20, 2025 09:47 (JST) Tokyo, June 20 (Jiji Press)--Fuji Television Network Inc. has said President Kenji Shimizu apologized to a former employee and agreed to compensate her over the company's handling of a sexual assault scandal by former TV personality Masahiro Nakai. Shimizu met with the former employee and expressed apologies for letting the incident happen as "an extension" of Fuji TV's business operations, according to the company's announcement Thursday. He also apologized that Fuji TV failed to provide necessary human rights relief and caused her mental distress. The company and the former employee then concluded an agreement including measures to protect her from "unreasonable attacks and defamation" on social media and other platforms. The accord also includes compensation for the economic and psychological damage caused to the woman by Fuji TV and company officials including executives. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
NDTV
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Japanese Woman Returns Home From Work, Finds Underwear-Clad Boss In Her Bed
The Japanese police have arrested a man after he was found lying in his employee's bed, only wearing his underwear. The unidentified woman in her 20s, from Japan's western Fukuoka Prefecture, had returned to home during lunch break to pick up some belongings when she discovered her boss on the bed in a compromising position. The woman calmly left the apartment, shut the door behind and immediately alerted the police. Authorities later arrested the man in the vicinity of her residence, according to a report in the South China Morning Post. The unidentified 47-year-old boss told the police during interrogation that he liked the woman and wanted to know more about her. However, it wasn't the first time he had sneaked into her room. The police are now investigating how he managed to get access and whether he may have installed any illegal surveillance devices. The woman had been completely unaware of any prior break-ins. The incident went viral on Japanese social media, with users demanding that authorities take strict action against the boss. 'I hope he did not go back to work like nothing had happened, and I hope the woman does not end up quitting her job,' said one user. Another added: "I think it was fortunate that she happened to go home to pick stuff up; otherwise she might have remained ignorant about the previous break-ins by her pervert boss and his behaviour would have become more dangerous," another said. Workplace harassment in Japan has become a much-discussed subject in recent times. In February, Japanese women started sharing their workplace harassment stories in the wake of Masahiro Nakai settling his sexual assault case. Nakai, a former member of the hugely popular boy band SMAP, allegedly sexually assaulted a woman at a private dinner that was arranged by a senior member of staff at Fuji TV, one of Japan's biggest broadcasters. The network came under scrutiny from workers who claimed that female employees were routinely pressured to "entertain" famous male celebrities. A Japanese equivalent of #MeToo called watashi ga taishoku shita hontou no riyuu (The real reason I quit my job) started trending on X (formerly Twitter) with women documenting their horrifying stories.
Japan Times
06-06-2025
- Business
- Japan Times
Fuji TV to sue former executives over their response to Nakai scandal
Fuji Television Network said Thursday that it is preparing to file a lawsuit against former President Koichi Minato and former Executive Vice President Toru Ota over the broadcaster's response to an alleged sexual assault by former TV star Masahiro Nakai. The company decided to question the responsibilities of Minato and Ota regarding the matter under corporate law. Meanwhile, the company demoted the then-head of programming by four ranks for his alleged secondary harassment of the victim, a former Fuji TV announcer, as he delivered cash and other consolation gifts from Nakai to her while she was in the hospital. He was also suspended for one month for another harassment case. For failing to take appropriate action despite knowing about the alleged sexual assault, the then-production bureau head was slapped with a 50% pay cut, and the heads of the announcer's office and the personnel affairs bureau were reprimanded. All of the punitive measures were implemented Monday. Separately from the Nakai scandal, the then-news bureau chief was suspended for two months and two weeks, effective Thursday, for a 2018 harassment case. Regarding news anchor Osamu Sorimachi's alleged past harassment of a female employee, the company said he would have been punished if it had responded appropriately to the case. Asked whether the company will question Nakai's legal responsibility, Fuji TV President Kenji Shimizu told reporters Thursday, "We will keep that option, but I have nothing to say at the moment."
03-06-2025
- Business
Japan to Set Up Panel on Broadcasters' Governance
News from Japan Technology Jun 3, 2025 18:12 (JST) Tokyo, June 3 (Jiji Press)--Japanese communications minister Seiichiro Murakami said Tuesday that the government will set up a panel to ensure the proper governance of broadcasting companies. The move comes after a third-party investigative committee found earlier this year that Fuji Television Network Inc. lacked governance over a scandal involving former television personality Masahiro Nakai, who allegedly sexually assaulted a then Fuji TV announcer. The first meeting of the new panel will be held this month. "To regain people's trust in broadcasters, it's necessary to take measures to ensure healthy governance under a framework based on autonomy and self-reliance," Murakami said. The panel will clarify the necessary governance for broadcasters, as well as the roles of broadcasters, industry groups and the government. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
