It began as a bucket in a weekly tabloid: The claim that the middle-aged boy-group star became the leading television leader, he paid the silence money for uncertain illegalities.
This was followed by other articles that claim to be a sexual harassment and not only the former singer, but also against his employer, the great TV broadcaster, the wave of public anger.
The person in the center of the dispute on Thursday announced his retirement, but the episode was already a moment of settlement. An international investor has criticized Fuji television in Tokyo, and Japan's largest corporate advertisers were in order to boycott him. About 75 companies, including the local operator of Toyota, SoftBank and McDonald's local operator, attracted advertising and sponsorships.
Now no advertisement in the station programming does not appear; Advertising places are now full of free public service ads. Ten millions of dollars are in danger because the angry CEOs called on Fuji TV to solve the problem.
Beverage maker Kirin's company Takeshi Minakata, “Comprehensive investigation will be conducted, the facts are clarified and the company will stop advertising with the company.” It is said in a statementAdded that the company moves “based on our human rights policy.”
Experts say that anger reveals new intolerance of sexual evil behavior that has been moved by a woman Previous scandal. Two years ago, it was known that the creator of the High-Level Talent Agency has sexually exploited young people in decades. He died in 2019 without any charges, and corporate sponsors were accused of ignoring the lawlessness at the Johnny & Associates.
This time large corporations are eager to show that everything has changed.
Ryu Honma, who wrote a wide range of advertising and media industry, “Johnny's scandal was a turning point.” “Sponsors were accused of participation in their inaction.”
Current work, Josei Seven, a weekly tabloid named Josei Seven, but still very popular, Masahiro Nakaini, who was still very popular, appeared to say “serious problem” with a woman.
The article said that 52-year-old Mr Nakai's name paid 90 million yen or about $ 600,000 to the unnamed woman. Subsequent stories of other local media clearly characterized what happened as sexual assault.
Earlier this month, Mr Nakai admitted that the “Event” took place and paid for him to solve it. He said he did not apply any violence in the match in June 2023 and therefore felt its right to continue to appear on television. There was no official investigation into the fact.
Consistent criticism and advertising boycott forced him to return from this decision. On Thursday, Mr Nakai said he was retired from entertainment and canceled the talent agency.
“I don't think this is doing all my obligations” He said in a statementIn any investigation, he promised “sincere cooperation.” “I apologize to the heart again on the opposite side.”
Mr. Nakay also grew anger on Fuji TV, where the famous show was host. According to the tabloid article, Fuji TV was a meeting between Mr Nakai and a woman in the work in 2023.
Fuji TV first denied the reports in some weekly magazines. However, he later said that he had long been awarded the news media about Mr Nakai, as well as other news media rewarding men's talents by organizing meetings with female announcements.
Fuji TV has been criticized for the fact that it is slow to face directly with the situation and as a result of how it was done: only live broadcasts or cameras are not allowed in a press conference.
Last week's press conference, Fuji TV president, said he was informed immediately after the episode, but did not make a statement.
President Koichi Minato said: “At that time, our decision did not socialize the issue, and to respect the wish to return to work and give him a physical and mental recovery and protecting his personal life.”
The press conference also came after the investment company, an American shareholder called Dalton Investments. Fuji has sent a letter to the TV leadership He harshly criticizes the company's failure to react to the problems.
The situation with Mr Nakai “does not usually reflect the problem in the entertainment industry, but also reveals serious flaws in your corporate governance,” the letter said. “Both the sequence and most importantness, lack of transparency, and the subsequent shortcomings in your response deserve serious condemnation.”
A day after the press conference of Fuji TV, large Japanese companies began to announce their ads.
On Thursday, Fuji TV's mother company Fuji Media Holdings commented on this issue. President Osamu Kanemitsu said that “We need to rewrite the confidence of our workers, sponsors and spectators.” He announced that the company's management decided to establish an independent committee to examine Fuji TV's reaction in the emergency meeting.
Mr. Honma said: “Mr. Honma said:” It took time to understand that they could not look at the other side. ” “When big clients begin to go, this is moving.”