Dozens of firms pull ads from Japanese network over sex scandal linked
to its staff and celebrity
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[January 21, 2025] By
MARI YAMAGUCHI
TOKYO (AP) — Dozens of major Japanese companies have pulled their
commercials on Fuji Television amid allegations company officials tried
to cover up a sex scandal involving one of the country’s most famous TV
hosts.
The scandal centers on Masahiro Nakai, a former member of the super
popular male band SMAP and now a popular host at Fuji and other Japanese
networks. Nakai has been linked by local media to an alleged sexual
assault at a party reportedly arranged by one of Fuji TV's staff.
After the weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun reported in December a 90
million yen ($580,000) settlement between Nakai and a woman over the
alleged sexual assault at a 2023 dinner party, the former SMAP star
issued a statement acknowledging a settlement over “a trouble,” but he
denied using any violence.
News of the scandal did not immediately trigger a flood of pullouts by
sponsors. But many apparently started replacing their commercials with
public service announcements after a news conference Friday by Fuji TV
that triggered criticism that the company was lacking transparency and
contrition over the affair.

Major sponsors such as automakers Nissan Motor Co. and Toyota Motor
Corp.; cosmetics maker Shiseido; retailer Seven & I Holding Co. and life
insurer Meiji Yasuda announced they were pulling ads from Fuji TV. Local
media reports said more than 50 companies had done the same.
Nissan said Tuesday that it had pulled its Fuji TV adds and was watching
developments before deciding on further steps.
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Fuji Television headquarter building is seen Friday, Jan. 17, 2025,
in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
 During Friday's news conference,
Fuji TV President Koichi Minato apologized and acknowledged his
company had not disclosed the problem despite becoming aware of it
about six months before the Shukan Bunshun report. Minato said Fuji
TV would investigate the case but also said he believed his
employees had not done anything wrong.
Fuji TV apologized for causing trouble to many advertisers and
agencies but declined to disclose details.
The latest edition of Shukan Bunshun, published Thursday, cited an
unnamed female Fuji announcer who alleged that the senior company
official linked to the 2023 dinner party had arranged other similar
parties for Nakai and Fuji TV.
Fuji only publicly announced the inquiry after one of its largest
shareholders, Rising Sun Management, criticized the company and
demanded a full investigation and appropriate action. Rising Sun is
an affiliate of the U.S. investment management firm Dalton
Investment.
Japan’s entertainment industry is in the midst of a wave of sexual
assault cases, including massive abuses by the now-defunct talent
agency Johnny & Associates, which managed SMAP and many other boy
bands. In 2023, it admitted to sexual abuse against hundreds of boys
and young men by its late founder, entertainment mogul Johnny
Kitagawa.
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