Latest news with #MasahiroNakai
Japan Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Japan Times
Fuji TV to sue former executives over their response to Nakai scandal
Fuji Television Network said Thursday that it is preparing to file a lawsuit against former President Koichi Minato and former Executive Vice President Toru Ota over the broadcaster's response to an alleged sexual assault by former TV star Masahiro Nakai. The company decided to question the responsibilities of Minato and Ota regarding the matter under corporate law. Meanwhile, the company demoted the then-head of programming by four ranks for his alleged secondary harassment of the victim, a former Fuji TV announcer, as he delivered cash and other consolation gifts from Nakai to her while she was in the hospital. He was also suspended for one month for another harassment case. For failing to take appropriate action despite knowing about the alleged sexual assault, the then-production bureau head was slapped with a 50% pay cut, and the heads of the announcer's office and the personnel affairs bureau were reprimanded. All of the punitive measures were implemented Monday. Separately from the Nakai scandal, the then-news bureau chief was suspended for two months and two weeks, effective Thursday, for a 2018 harassment case. Regarding news anchor Osamu Sorimachi's alleged past harassment of a female employee, the company said he would have been punished if it had responded appropriately to the case. Asked whether the company will question Nakai's legal responsibility, Fuji TV President Kenji Shimizu told reporters Thursday, "We will keep that option, but I have nothing to say at the moment."
7 days ago
- Business
Japan to Set Up Panel on Broadcasters' Governance
News from Japan Technology Jun 3, 2025 18:12 (JST) Tokyo, June 3 (Jiji Press)--Japanese communications minister Seiichiro Murakami said Tuesday that the government will set up a panel to ensure the proper governance of broadcasting companies. The move comes after a third-party investigative committee found earlier this year that Fuji Television Network Inc. lacked governance over a scandal involving former television personality Masahiro Nakai, who allegedly sexually assaulted a then Fuji TV announcer. The first meeting of the new panel will be held this month. "To regain people's trust in broadcasters, it's necessary to take measures to ensure healthy governance under a framework based on autonomy and self-reliance," Murakami said. The panel will clarify the necessary governance for broadcasters, as well as the roles of broadcasters, industry groups and the government. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
Fuji TV Panel Defends Recognition of Sexual Violence by Nakai
News from Japan Culture May 22, 2025 19:29 (JST) Tokyo, May 22 (Jiji Press)--A third-party committee set up by Fuji Television Network Inc. on Thursday defended its report concluding that former popular television personality Masahiro Nakai had committed sexual violence against a former Fuji TV announcer. The move came in response to a statement released by a lawyer for Nakai on May 12 that argued that a violent or coercive sexual act typically associated with the Japanese term for 'sexual violence' could not be confirmed between Nakai and the woman. The third-party committee said in a statement Thursday that its recognition of sexual violence was based on the World Health Organization's definition because Fuji TV and its parent, Fuji Media Holdings Inc., needed to fulfill their accountability to global shareholders. The committee rejected the Nakai side's request to disclose interview records and other evidence, claiming that disclosure would undermine its independence and neutrality. Regarding the Nakai side's claim that for the committee's hearing, it had initially proposed waiving a confidentiality obligation under an agreement between him and the woman, the committee admitted that the Nakai side had been positive about taking such action. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
Kyodo News
16-05-2025
- Business
- Kyodo News
Kyodo News Digest: May 16, 2025
KYODO NEWS - 2 hours ago - 23:05 | All, Japan, World The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News. ---------- Japan Jan.-March GDP shrinks for 1st time in 1 yr amid weak spending TOKYO - Japan's economy shrank an annualized real 0.7 percent in the January-March period, the first contraction in a year, government data showed Friday, underscoring that domestic demand was sluggish even before higher U.S. tariffs took full effect. In the first quarter of 2025, real gross domestic product, adjusted for inflation, declined 0.2 percent from the October-December period, as weak consumer spending amid inflation and increased import costs weighed on growth, the Cabinet Office said. ---------- New Japan law allows preemptive defense of infrastructure cyberattack TOKYO - Japanese parliament on Friday enacted a law to allow preemptive acts of cyberdefense, giving the government the ability to legally monitor communications data during peacetime and to neutralize hostile servers in the event of an attack. The "active cyberdefense" law will oblige operators of key infrastructure, such as those in the electricity and railway sectors, to report cyber breaches to the government. ---------- Stores to get priority on gov't rice stockpiles to ease prices faster TOKYO - The Japanese government pledged Friday to set aside a quota of its stockpiled rice for supermarkets and other retailers, in an effort to accelerate distribution and help consumers benefit from lower prices more quickly. Of the 300,000 tons of reserve rice to be released over three months through July, 60 percent will be allocated to retailers. To encourage broader participation from distributors in the auctions, the buyback deadline will be extended from one year to five years. ---------- Human remains found at Japan defense force jet crash site TOKYO - The Air Self-Defense Force said Friday that human remains were discovered at a large reservoir in central Japan where an ASDF training jet carrying two personnel crashed earlier this week, possibly those of a missing crew member. The accident occurred shortly after the T-4 jet took off from Komaki Air Base in Aichi Prefecture on Wednesday afternoon, leaving both crew members missing, according to the ASDF. ---------- Scandal-hit Fuji Media logs 1st net loss since 1997 listing TOKYO - Fuji Media Holdings Inc. on Friday reported a net loss of 20.13 billion yen ($138 million) for the last fiscal year, its first red ink since the firm was listed in 1997, amid a sexual misconduct scandal involving famed former TV host Masahiro Nakai. The loss in the year ended March 31 was a sharp swing from a net profit of 37.08 billion yen a year earlier. ---------- Japan's Defense Ministry asked to launch office on UFOs, anomalies TOKYO - Japan's Defense Ministry was urged to set up an office tasked with tackling UFOs at a meeting with a cross-party group of lawmakers on Friday. The group, chaired by former Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, handed a proposal to the current defense chief, describing such sightings -- formally referred to as unidentified anomalous phenomena, or UAP -- as realistic and serious national security concerns. ---------- Baltic Pavilion calls for return of stolen Osaka expo mascot figure OSAKA - The Baltic Pavilion at the World Exposition in Osaka said Friday that its display of the expo's official mascot, Myaku-Myaku, was stolen from the reception area, prompting officials to call for the return of the character figure that has gone viral among visitors. "Very sadly, hardworking Myaku-Myaku at the Baltic Pavilion suddenly disappeared. Any idea where Myaku-Myaku is now?" Lithuanian Ambassador to Japan Aurelijus Zykas said on social media as his country is showcasing exhibits in the pavilion with Latvia. ---------- Japan enacts laws to introduce digital arrest warrants by FY 2026 TOKYO - Japan's parliament on Friday enacted bills to introduce digital arrest warrants and other documents related to criminal procedures by March 2027, signaling a major shift in the country's investigation processes that are predominantly carried out in person and documented on paper. The revisions of laws including the Code of Criminal Procedure are expected to ease the burden on investigators who currently must be physically present at court to apply for and receive warrants. Under the revisions, the slips can be requested and received online and executed by displaying them on tablet devices. Video: Aoi Festival in Kyoto
16-05-2025
- Business
Japan's Fuji Media Posts Its 1st Net Loss in FY 2024
News from Japan Economy May 16, 2025 21:36 (JST) Tokyo, May 16 (Jiji Press)--Japan's Fuji Media Holdings Inc. on Friday reported a consolidated net loss of 20.1 billion yen for fiscal 2024, its first red ink since becoming a holding company in 2008. Fuji Media, which had logged 37 billion yen in profit a year earlier, saw many sponsors leave scandal-embattled core unit Fuji Television Network Inc. over its handling of a sex scandal involving now-retired TV personality Masahiro Nakai. Due to falling advertising revenue, the holding company's overall revenue dropped 2.8 pct and operating profit dived 45.4 pct. For fiscal 2025 through March 2026, Fuji Media expects to secure a net profit of 10 billion yen thanks to the strength of its real estate business and the sale of shareholdings. However, operating profit is expected to dive 86.3 pct to 2.5 billion yen, hurt by a prolonged impact of slumping ad revenue caused by suspensions and cancellations of TV commercials. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
