Masahiro Nakai, one of Japan’s top TV hosts and a former pop star, said Thursday ( Jan 23 ) he was retiring to take responsibility over sexual assault allegations that are part of a wave roiling Japan’s entertainment industry and have triggered an avalanche of lost advertising at one of the networks where he worked.
Weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun reported in December that Nakai had reached a 90 million yen ( US$ 580,000 ) settlement with a woman over the alleged sex assault at a 2023 dinner party that Fuji TV staff allegedly helped to organise. He acknowledged “a problems” and a arrangement, while denying any crime, in a speech earlier this month. The newspaper has even alleged that Fuji Television has long exploited its female presenters to amuse superstars like Nakai.
“I, Masahiro Nakai, is retiring from pleasure activity as of today, ” Nakai said in a statement distributed to his paid lover team and posted on social media by evident people. Japanese media likewise confirmed and reported his pension.
“ I am truly sorry for causing trouble and losses to so many people, ” Nakai said, and repeated his “sincere apology ” to the woman. “ I’m really, really sad for saying good-bye this approach… Sayonara. ”
Japan’s entertainment business is in the midst of a flood of sexual assault cases, including the crimes of plenty of boys and young men by later skills mogul Johnny Kitagawa, whose now-defunct company Johnny & Associates managed some child songs, including the one to which Nakai belonged, SMAP.
Last Friday, Fuji TV President Koichi Minato acknowledged the firm had been aware of the problem six weeks before the newspaper review and hadn’t disclosed it. Minato apologised and said Fuji TV would investigate the case but also said he believed his people had never done anything wrong.
After lots of advertisements were withdrawn, Fuji TV apologised for causing problems to publishers and companies but declined to disclose information.
Following owners ‘ demands for further explanation about the incident and actions the organization had taken and what actions are planned, Fuji was set to have a specific board meeting after Thursday.
Nakai said in his speech that he has sorted out all discussions of terminating his exhibits and deals with television, radio and partners. He said he has still to taken all his duty and promised to “face several problems and answer sincerely”.
Fuji Television Network’s vice-chairperson Ryunosuke Endo, who is also head of Japanese commercial broadcasters ’ association, in a televised live news conference Thursday noted Nakai’s retirement was his “personal decision ” but said Nakai was part of the upcoming investigation and that he hoped for his sincere cooperation.