Pressure grew Monday on Fuji Television over an alleged sexual assault by a celebrity presenter, with the Japanese broadcaster set to address media as criticism mounts from advertisers and the public. The scandal centres around TV host and J-pop megastar Masahiro Nakai, 52, who a leading tabloid magazine said carried out a sexual act without a woman's consent in 2023. Nakai reportedly later paid the woman, who worked for Fuji TV, a lump sum of 90 million yen ($570,000) and the pair signed a non-disclosure agreement.
Fuji TV's president has said the firm was aware of the scandal before it was reported in local media last month. But the company denied claims that its staff were involved in organising Nakai's meeting with the woman, which allegedly took place at the star's home. Last week the network said it was probing the matter, and it will hold a press conference Monday after a board meeting, with some speculating that executives could step down.
"As the 'trouble' has grown to this level, it is necessary to take steps in matters regarding personnel," a Fuji TV external board member, Kiyoto Saito, told public broadcaster NHK. Nakai -- a former member of the boy band SMAP, which swept charts across Asia in the 1990s and 2000s -- announced his retirement on Friday after he was dropped from weekly shows on private network Fuji TV and other channels. "I alone am responsible for everything" and "sincerely apologise" to the woman, Nakai said Friday.
Earlier this month he had issued.
