Latest news with #Johnny&Associates
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Probe accuses ex J-pop star Nakai of sexual assault
An independent panel investigating allegations against an J-pop megastar-turned-TV host accused him on Monday of sexual violence against a Fuji Televsision employee, saying the company's handling of the matter amounted to harassment of the employee. A leading Japanese tabloid magazine reported in December that Fuji TV's celebrity presenter Masahiro Nakai had performed a sexual act without a woman's consent. The accusations led to Nakai being dropped from his shows on multiple networks as well as a mass exit of advertisers from Fuji TV and the resignation of the private channel's bosses. No legal charges have been brought against Nakai, but an independent probe commissioned by Fuji TV to discern what happened reported its findings on Monday. "We concluded that the woman was sexually assaulted by Nakai," lawyer Akira Takeuchi, who heads the panel, told reporters. "We also think what happened was not a private matter between two people, but an extension of work," Takeuchi added. The 52-year-old Nakai, who was interviewed during the probe, reportedly paid the woman 90 million yen ($570,000) over the incident in 2023, and the pair signed a non-disclosure agreement. Nakai -- a former member of the boy band SMAP, which swept charts across Asia in the 1990s and 2000s -- announced his retirement from showbusiness in late January. "I alone am responsible for everything" and "sincerely apologise", he said at the time. He had previously issued a statement saying some of what had been reported was "different from the facts". The panel's 300-page report also said that Fuji TV's handling of the case appeared to be in favour of the superstar and amounted to secondary harassement of the employee. The woman left the company last year after being temporarily hospitalised, the report said. It criticised what it described as the practice of Fuji TV to organise social gatherings to which people are invited based on their gender, age and appearance -- namely young female presenters and staff. "We sincerely apologise to the victim women for the distress they have experienced as a result of the company's inadequate relief measures," President Kenji Shimizu told a news conference on Monday after the probe results. Shimizu also noted that the woman's "supervisors, from the director to the then president, did not regard it as a human rights issue". Takeuchi said "Fuji TV didn't learn from two incidents" -- the suicide of a participant from the "Terrace House" reality TV show, and multiple accusations of sexual assault levied at the late founder of the boy band management empire Johnny & Associates. Johnny & Associates, which has since changed its name, admitted in 2023 that its late founder Johnny Kitagawa had sexually assaulted teenage boys and young men for decades. nf/kaf/dhw
Gulf Today
27-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Top Japanese TV executives quit after misconduct claims against celebrity presenter
The chairman and president of Japan's Fuji Television resigned on Monday, weeks after a celebrity presenter was accused of sexual assault, causing a public relations storm and the mass exit of advertisers. A leading tabloid magazine reported last month that Masahiro Nakai, a J-pop megastar turned TV host, had performed a sexual act without a woman's consent in 2023. The 52-year-old Nakai reportedly later paid the woman 90 million yen ($570,000) and the pair signed a non-disclosure agreement. After network staff were accused of trying to cover up the scandal, dozens of brands, including McDonald's and Toyota, pulled their advertisements from the private broadcaster. As pressure mounted, Fuji TV said its president Koichi Minato and chairman Shuji Kanoh were stepping down. "I would like to apologise sincerely to the women concerned for failing to provide adequate care due to a lack of awareness of human rights," Kanoh told reporters on Monday. "I apologise to the viewers, advertisers, company members, shareholders... for the great concern and inconvenience caused by the series of news reports," he added. Earlier this month, Minato admitted that Fuji TV was aware of the Nakai scandal before it was reported by local media. The company denies claims that its staff were involved in organising Nakai's meeting with the woman, which allegedly took place at the star's home. Nakai — a former member of the boy band SMAP, which swept charts across Asia in the 1990s and 2000s — announced his retirement on Thursday after he was dropped from shows on Fuji TV and other channels. "I alone am responsible for everything" and "sincerely apologise", he said. He had previously issued a statement saying some of what had been reported was "different from the facts." Japan has never seen a #MeToo outpouring on the scale of the United States or other countries, with many victims fearing a public backlash in a society where men still hold most positions of power. But the Nakai scandal is the latest in a series of reckonings for the media and entertainment industries. One involves now-defunct boy band empire Johnny & Associates, to which SMAP belonged. Johnny & Associates, which has since changed its name, admitted in 2023 that its late founder Johnny Kitagawa had sexually assaulted teenage boys and young men for decades. One of Japan's most popular comedians, 61-year-old Hitoshi Matsumoto, has also been accused of sexual assault by two women. While the tabloid reports about Nakai unleashed a coverage frenzy, most Japanese media have taken a cautious approach, referring to the allegations as sexual "trouble" or misconduct. Some media have reported an endemic culture within Japan's entertainment industry of wining and dining the top presenters, with women staffers invited to join such parties. Fuji network president Minato held a short press conference on January 17, after US activist investor Rising Sun Management said it was "outraged" by the lack of transparency. But the public relations attempt backfired after only select media were invited, video was not allowed and Minato declined to answer many questions, citing a fresh investigation. On Monday, Minato addressed the criticism. "We are acutely aware that we have undermined the credibility of the media," he said. He also revealed that he was "the subject of an investigation by a third-party committee." "I will cooperate fully to uncover the truth and prevent similar problems from happening, and to reform the corporate culture," he said. Fuji Television boasted Japan's highest viewer ratings in the 1980s and early 1990s with its soap operas and popular comedy and variety shows. It aired the first domestically produced animation "Astro Boy" in 1963, and has also produced films including Hirokazu Kore-eda's "Shoplifters" which won the 2018 Palme d'Or at Cannes.
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Japan's Fuji TV faces heat over sex allegations
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 a statement saying some of what had been reported was "different from the facts". - 'Outraged' - Dozens of brands including McDonald's and Toyota have pulled adverts from Fuji TV, leaving only unpaid public service announcements playing in commercial breaks. The scandal follows another huge reckoning for Japan's entertainment industry, surrounding now-defunct boy band empire Johnny & Associates, to which SMAP belonged. Johnny & Associates, which has now changed its name, admitted in 2023 that its late founder Johnny Kitagawa for decades sexually assaulted teenage boys and young men. The allegations against Nakai emerged last month in tabloid magazines including Shukan Bunshun. They have shocked the nation although most other Japanese media more cautiously refer to sexual "trouble" or misconduct. Local media have said Fuji TV would discuss at its board meeting the role of company president Koichi Minato, who has said he became aware of the case soon after it happened. Some reports say Fuji TV staff have long wined and dined entertainers, inviting female staff to join such parties. Minato held a short press conference on January 17, after US activist investor Rising Sun Management said it was "outraged" by Fuji TV's lack of transparency. But this fuelled criticism, because only select media were invited, video recording was not allowed, and Minato declined to answer many questions, citing a fresh investigation. Rising Sun Management, a shareholder in the station's parent company, has called on the network to establish a committee of outside experts, describing Minato's press briefing as "nothing less than a virtual car crash". Fuji Television is a major private broadcaster that boasted the highest viewer ratings in the 1980s and early 1990s with its popular comedy and variety shows, and soap operas. It aired Japan's first domestically produced animation "Astro Boy" in 1963, and has also produced several films, including Hirokazu Kore-eda's "Shoplifters" which won the 2018 Palme d'Or at Cannes. bur-hih/kaf/stu/rsc
Khaleej Times
27-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Japan's Fuji TV faces heat over sex allegations
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 a statement saying some of what had been reported was "different from the facts". Dozens of brands including McDonald's and Toyota have pulled adverts from Fuji TV, leaving only unpaid public service announcements playing in commercial breaks. The scandal follows another huge reckoning for Japan's entertainment industry, surrounding now-defunct boy band empire Johnny & Associates, to which SMAP belonged. Johnny & Associates, which has now changed its name, admitted in 2023 that its late founder Johnny Kitagawa for decades sexually assaulted teenage boys and young men. The allegations against Nakai emerged last month in tabloid magazines including Shukan Bunshun. They have shocked the nation although most other Japanese media more cautiously refer to sexual "trouble" or misconduct. Local media have said Fuji TV would discuss at its board meeting the role of company president Koichi Minato, who has said he became aware of the case soon after it happened. Some reports say Fuji TV staff have long wined and dined entertainers, inviting female staff to join such parties. Minato held a short press conference on January 17, after US activist investor Rising Sun Management said it was "outraged" by Fuji TV's lack of transparency. But this fuelled criticism, because only select media were invited, video recording was not allowed, and Minato declined to answer many questions, citing a fresh investigation. Rising Sun Management, a shareholder in the station's parent company, has called on the network to establish a committee of outside experts, describing Minato's press briefing as "nothing less than a virtual car crash". Fuji Television is a major private broadcaster that boasted the highest viewer ratings in the 1980s and early 1990s with its popular comedy and variety shows, and soap operas. It aired Japan's first domestically produced animation "Astro Boy" in 1963, and has also produced several films, including Hirokazu Kore-eda's "Shoplifters" which won the 2018 Palme d'Or at Cannes.
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Japan's Fuji TV faces heat over sex allegations
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 a statement saying some of what had been reported was "different from the facts". - 'Outraged' - Dozens of brands including McDonald's and Toyota have pulled adverts from Fuji TV, leaving only unpaid public service announcements playing in commercial breaks. The scandal follows another huge reckoning for Japan's entertainment industry, surrounding now-defunct boy band empire Johnny & Associates, to which SMAP belonged. Johnny & Associates, which has now changed its name, admitted in 2023 that its late founder Johnny Kitagawa for decades sexually assaulted teenage boys and young men. The allegations against Nakai emerged last month in tabloid magazines including Shukan Bunshun. They have shocked the nation although most other Japanese media more cautiously refer to sexual "trouble" or misconduct. Local media have said Fuji TV would discuss at its board meeting the role of company president Koichi Minato, who has said he became aware of the case soon after it happened. Some reports say Fuji TV staff have long wined and dined entertainers, inviting female staff to join such parties. Minato held a short press conference on January 17, after US activist investor Rising Sun Management said it was "outraged" by Fuji TV's lack of transparency. But this fuelled criticism, because only select media were invited, video recording was not allowed, and Minato declined to answer many questions, citing a fresh investigation. Rising Sun Management, a shareholder in the station's parent company, has called on the network to establish a committee of outside experts, describing Minato's press briefing as "nothing less than a virtual car crash". Fuji Television is a major private broadcaster that boasted the highest viewer ratings in the 1980s and early 1990s with its popular comedy and variety shows, and soap operas. It aired Japan's first domestically produced animation "Astro Boy" in 1963, and has also produced several films, including Hirokazu Kore-eda's "Shoplifters" which won the 2018 Palme d'Or at Cannes. bur-hih/kaf/stu/rsc
