Latest news with #HisashiHieda
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
Scandal-Hit Fuji TV Breaks Away from Fun-Centered Culture
News from Japan Society Culture May 1, 2025 18:03 (JST) Tokyo, May 1 (Jiji Press)--Scandal-hit Fuji Television Network Inc. has announced details of its reform plans, including a departure from its four-decade-old slogan focusing on fun. The broadcaster said Wednesday that it will adopt a "human rights first" approach, in the face of public criticism over its handling of the sexual assault scandal involving former TV star Masahiro Nakai. The slogan, "If it's not fun, it's not TV," was championed in the 1980s by former company heavyweight Hisashi Hieda, who was head of programming at the time and built the company's golden age. It symbolized the company's culture, which led to a slew of hit dramas and variety shows. "It's a distorted idea that you can sacrifice something else to do something fun," Fuji TV President Kenji Shimizu said. "It shouldn't come at anyone's expense." Under the reform plans, Fuji TV will restructure its organization, including the dissolution and reorganization of its key programing and variety show production departments. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
Reuters
31-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Reuters
Fuji Media report calls for grievance mechanism after sexual assault scandal
TOKYO, March 31 (Reuters) - Fuji Media (4676.T), opens new tab should apologise to victims of a sexual assault scandal and set up a mechanism to address human rights-related grievances involving the company, according to a report commissioned by the Japanese broadcaster and released on Monday. The probe followed allegations in the Japanese media of sexual misconduct by Masahiro Nakai, a TV host and leader of the former boy band SMAP, which arose in December. The scandal led to an exodus of advertisers and the resignations in January of the company's chairman and the head of its TV unit. Fuji Media also announced last week that Hisashi Hieda, a long-time director at the company, would step down from his post. The report, prepared by an independent team led by three lawyers and stretching to more than 300 pages, determined there had been an instance of "sexual violence that occurred as an extension of work duties" and that the company had not adequately addressed the need of victims for care and redress. In a press release accompanying the committee's report, Fuji Media said: "We apologise to all our stakeholders for any concern and inconvenience caused." Nakai, 52, has apologised for causing "trouble" and announced his retirement from show business. He has acknowledged reaching a settlement with one party but has not addressed the allegations directly.
Japan Times
30-03-2025
- Business
- Japan Times
In the wake of several scandals, Fuji TV ‘emperor' Hieda steps down
Hisashi Hieda, a 41-year veteran of Fuji TV's board of directors dubbed the broadcaster's 'emperor,' has stepped down following a series of scandals that have surfaced since December, the company announced on Thursday. The 87-year-old Hieda, who served as adviser of Fuji TV and its parent company, Fuji Media Holdings, is thought to have been the most influential person in the media conglomerate. Osamu Kanemitsu, the president of Fuji Media Holdings — who, with Thursday's announcement, will become chairman from June — said that Hieda also plans to step down as chairman of the Fujisankei Communications Group, of which Fuji Media Holdings is a part. The company has been under scrutiny since two weekly magazines reported in December allegations of 'serious trouble' between TV celebrity Masahiro Nakai, a former member of boy band SMAP, and a woman. The broadcaster's handling of the issue went on to balloon into widespread criticism of its corporate culture. In January, Fuji TV's then-president, Koichi Minato, and then-chairman, Shuji Kanoh, resigned at an unprecedented 10-hour-long news conference, during which many reporters raised questions about Hieda's absence and asked why he had not stepped down. Fuji TV vice chairman Ryunosuke Endo will also be stepping down in June, the company announced on Thursday. Dalton Investments, a major shareholder of Fuji TV, had also repeatedly expressed its disapproval over its entrenched old-fashioned corporate culture nature, alluding to Hieda's influence in a letter sent to the broadcaster. On Thursday, Fuji TV announced a major overhaul of its management, including appointing several individuals age 50 and younger to its board. It also introduced quotas for female members to ensure they make up at least 30% of the board. The company also plans to downsize its board to 10 members, from 22 currently, beginning in June; Fuji Media Holdings will also reduce the number of its board members, from 17 currently, to 11. 'Hieda is not the only point of this management overhaul,' said Kanemitsu. 'The big idea of this overhaul is to tackle issues that have existed in our company such as the excessive number of people on the board and the high average age — and upon that we have decided that Hieda would not be part of the new management.' Hieda, 87, served as adviser of Fuji TV and its parent company, Fuji Media Holdings, and is thought to have been the most influential person in the media conglomerate. | JIJI Hieda, who joined Fuji TV in 1961, served as its president for 13 years between the late '80s and '90s — a period considered by many as the 'golden era' for the company. Not only did Hieda continue to be a powerhouse at the company — especially after he defended the broadcaster from being acquired in 2005 by Livedoor, the company of well-known Japanese entrepreneur Takafumi Horie — he is also thought to have close ties with the political world as well.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Fuji Media Shares Rise on Management Overhaul After Scandal
(Bloomberg) -- Fuji Media Holdings Inc. shares gained after the embattled Japanese broadcaster said it will overhaul management and improve its capital allocation. Why Did the Government Declare War on My Adorable Tiny Truck? How SUVs Are Making Traffic Worse Trump Slashed International Aid. Geneva Is Feeling the Impact. These US Bridges Face High Risk of Catastrophic Ship Strikes Gold-Rush Fever Returns to Historic New Zealand Mining Town Fuji Media shares jumped as much as 7.4% on Friday in Tokyo, the biggest intraday gain in more than a month. The move incorporates the impact of trading ex-dividend. The company said in a briefing Thursday that its powerful 87-year-old former chairman and executive management adviser Hisashi Hieda was resigning from the board. It will also review its asset holdings, including strategic equity, and improve capital allocation. Fuji Media has extensive real estate holdings, as well as cross-shareholdings. Reaction to the news was more muted in the debt market. The spread in Fuji Media's corporate bonds maturing in 2028 was about 119 basis points as of Thursday, almost unchanged from the previous day. The level remains significantly higher than before the company became engulfed in a sexual harassment scandal in December. The results of an independent inquiry into the scandal are due by the end of this month. 'The stock market liked that the company is taking actions without waiting for the results of the inquiry. It is betting Fuji will improve efficiency through business restructuring,' said Kazuhiro Sasaki, head of research at Phillip Securities Japan Ltd. 'On the other hand, the credit spread hasn't tightened yet because sponsors haven't come back,' he added. The contrasting market reactions reflect indicate that debt investors still see governance issues remaining, 'which wouldn't change the judgment of credit risk,' said Taketoshi Tsuchiya, chief executive officer of Tsuchiya Asset Management Co. Fuji Media has been under pressure to overhaul its management after its handling of the a sexual harassment case led sponsors to pull out ads. Rising Sun Management, adviser to Nippon Active Value Fund, called for Hieda's resignation while Rheos Capital Works, which has become a large shareholder earlier this year, called for the company to bring in younger talent to the board. Fuji Media also said it will slash the size of its board to 11 members from 17, and make the majority of members outside directors. --With assistance from Yui Hasebe. (Adds impact in the debt market) Business Schools Are Back Google Is Searching for an Answer to ChatGPT Israel Aims to Be the World's Arms Dealer A New 'China Shock' Is Destroying Jobs Around the World The Richest Americans Kept the Economy Booming. What Happens When They Stop Spending? ©2025 Bloomberg L.P. Sign in to access your portfolio
Bloomberg
28-03-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Fuji Media Shares Rise After Powerful Executive Hieda Steps Down
The share price of Japanese embattled broadcaster Fuji Media Holdings Inc. climbed after its powerful 87-year-old former chairman and executive management adviser, Hisashi Hieda, resigned from the board. Fuji Media shares jumped as much as 6.9% on Friday in Tokyo, their biggest intraday gain in more than a month. The move incorporates the impact of trading ex-dividend.
