Latest news with #Minato
The Mainichi
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Mainichi
'Friendship marriages' providing partnership outside societal norms in Japan
HAKODATE, Japan (Kyodo) -- Three years have passed since Satsuki and Minato, who are in their 30s and live in the Chugoku region of western Japan, agreed to enter into a nonsexual "friendship marriage." The matrimony of the two, who in a recent interview used pseudonyms when sharing their life-changing decision, was deliberate and different from a marriage arrangement done to obtain a visa, for example. But Satsuki and Minato are just one of a growing number of couples who see practical advantages to friendship marriages due in part to preferential treatment with social security benefits. Many of them choose to do so despite it contradicting their sexual orientation. A Tokyo-based marriage agency, which connects people wishing to enter into such arrangements, has seen over 300 friendship marriages in the past decade. The case of Satsuki and Minato provides one example of a couples' decision to choose a life partner with whom they have no romantic feelings or sexual desire. Satsuki, Minato's wife, dates women and is not attracted to men. Her mother, who has no idea of her daughter's sexual orientation, used to urge her to get married whenever they would see each other. Satsuki says "The Full-Time Wife Escapist," a TV drama series aired in 2016 on Japan's TBS, introduced her to the idea of viewing married couples as an "employer-employee," contractual relationship, opening her mind to marriage not based on sex or love. Minato, on the other hand, views women romantically but is only sexually attracted to men. He had enjoyed spending time alone, but when his father told him "it's about time we see some grandchildren," a friendship marriage became a wise option. In 2019, the pair met in an online forum dedicated to friendship marriage applicants. After confirming that they had similar core values, they moved in together and met each other's parents before registering their marriage in November 2021. Two years later, Satsuki gave birth to a child using the "syringe method" fertility treatment. "Adorable," the couple says when speaking of their child. Both Satsuki and Minato admit to not being "each other's type." Intimate contact is nonexistent, but they do things as a family unit, such as socializing with friends. Satsuki describes her partner as "a not-too-close cousin." Minato says of her with a laugh, "We are comrades-in-arms who live together." Neither of their parents know the nature of their relationship. At Colorus Friendship Marriage, an agency established in Tokyo in 2015, 316 couples had entered into such unions over 10 years through February this year. About 80 percent of male members are sexually attracted to men, while more than 90 percent of females are not sexually drawn to either men or women. Their sexuality is a personal and diverse aspect of who they are, says Colorus representative director Arisa Nakamura, 40. However, according to Nakamura, the reasons given for entering into friendship marriages are not special, but include what one might expect, such as "wanting a life partner" or "giving their parents peace of mind." "We offer an option to those who cannot fall in love or have sex with the opposite gender," Nakamura said. Hiroyuki Kubota, a professor of family sociology at Nihon University, says that although diverse values are spreading in Japan, same-sex marriage not being recognized means the socially accepted belief that "men and women should marry and have children" is still predominant. In some respects, he says, friendship marriages are a "desperate measure" with added practical rewards of social security benefits. Although love marriages may evoke images of undying romance, it is not uncommon for such couples to gradually become closer as life and child-rearing partners as time goes by. A 2024 survey of married couples by the Japan Family Planning Association revealed that over 60 percent of respondents were in sexless marriages, defined as having sex less than once a month, a trend that has been steadily increasing. Couples may move on to more practical matters once the romance has died, Kubota suggested. "If this is the case, then there should be couples who enter into marriage as 'partners in life' from the very beginning." (By Yu Seo)
South China Morning Post
19-04-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
In Japan, ‘friendship marriages' provide partnership outside societal norms
Three years have passed since Satsuki and Minato, who are in their 30s and live in the Chugoku region of western Japan, agreed to enter into a nonsexual 'friendship marriage'. Advertisement The matrimony of the two, who in a recent interview used pseudonyms when sharing their life-changing decision, was deliberate and different from a marriage arrangement done to obtain a visa, for example. But Satsuki and Minato are just one of a growing number of couples who see practical advantages to friendship marriages due in part to preferential treatment with social security benefits. Many of them choose to do so despite it contradicting their sexual orientation. A Tokyo-based marriage agency, which connects people wishing to enter into such arrangements, has seen more than 300 friendship marriages in the past decade. The case of Satsuki and Minato provides one example of a couples' decision to choose a life partner with whom they have no romantic feelings or sexual desire. Satsuki, Minato's wife, dates women and is not attracted to men. Her mother, who has no idea of her daughter's sexual orientation, used to urge her to get married whenever they would see each other. Advertisement Satsuki says The Full-Time Wife Escapist, a TV drama series aired in 2016 on Japan's TBS, introduced her to the idea of viewing married couples as an 'employer-employee', contractual relationship, opening her mind to marriage not based on sex or love.
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.
CBS News
27-01-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Japan's Fuji TV executives resign over sex scandal linked to former boy band star
The Japanese network Fuji Television and its parent company said Monday that its president and chairperson were resigning immediately to take responsibility for a widening sex assault scandal linked to one of Japan's top TV celebrities. The scandal centers on Masahiro Nakai, a former leader of Japan's once-hugely popular boy band SMAP, and his costly settlement with a woman over the alleged sex assault at a 2023 dinner party that Fuji TV staff allegedly helped to organize. The allegations surfaced in magazine articles in December and have since triggered claims of systematic cover-ups by Fuji TV executives. The public outrage over the lack of transparency and explanation at the network's news conference earlier this month have led to an avalanche of advertising losses at Fuji, one of the networks where Nakai worked. Fuji Television Network President Koichi Minato said his company mishandled the case. "We are very sorry that we mishandled the case because of our lack of awareness about human rights and corporate governance ... and as a result our responses to the involved woman were inadequate," Minato said. "We are very sorry to have destroyed our credibility." Car manufacturers Nissan and Toyota were among the companies that pulled advertising from Fuji TV, BBC News reported. Minato said the case violated the woman's human rights, without providing details on grounds of privacy. He said it was handled as an "extraordinary" case requiring maximum confidentiality and sensitivity for the woman's mental health and was shared by a small group of officials. The company had continued allowing Nakai to appear on Fuji shows for a year and six months, he said, but denied covering up the case because it involved a big star. Minato said he did not think what happened was sexual assault and that the case was not reported to the company's compliance office until the magazine report came out. He also denied a Fuji TV employee's involvement but said allegations that the employee had previously organized barbecue and other parties for Nakai needed to be investigated. Fuji officials also acknowledged that female announcers and other female employees have in the past participated at parties for stars, talent agency executives and sponsors, though they denied any sexual services. Minato said he believed top officials were complacent about the outdated gender roles and they now need to "update their mindset." Nakai last Thursday announced his retirement from show business in Japan, which has already been hit by a series of sexual assault allegations in recent years in what is seen as a delayed #MeToo movement that began in Western nations in the 2010s. He said he was taking responsibility for the "trouble" and massive business losses as a result. "I alone am responsible for everything" and "sincerely apologize," Nakai said. He had previously issued a statement saying some of what had been reported was "different from the facts." Minato said he last saw the woman last summer when she visited his office to tell him she was quitting. Shukan Bunshun weekly, one of the magazines that exposed the scandal, also alleged that Fuji TV has long exploited its female announcers to entertain stars like Nakai. The chair of the companies, Shuji Kanoh, was also resigning in a decision made at a board meeting prior to the Jan. 17 news conference, officials said. Japan's entertainment industry is in the midst of a wave of sexual assault cases, including the abuses of hundreds of boys and young men by late talent mogul Johnny Kitagawa, whose now-defunct agency Johnny & Associates managed many boy bands, including the one to which Nakai belonged. One of Japan's most popular comedians, 61-year-old Hitoshi Matsumoto, has also been accused of sexual assault by two women. Following massive protests and criticism from even their own employees, Fuji TV and its parent company announced after a board meeting last week that they have set up an independent panel of lawyers to be submitted by March. 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.
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fuji TV Chairman & President Resign Over TV Host Sexual Misconduct Scandal In Japan
The Chairman and President of Japan's Fuji TV have resigned over the handling of the sexual misconduct scandal involving TV presenter Masahiro Nakai. In a press conference held today, Fuji TV Chair Shuji Kano and Koichi Minato, Head of Fuji Media Holdings (FMH)'s TV wing, announced their resignations, bowing their heads alongside other executives before they spoke. EVP Kenji Simizu has been promoted to replace Minato as President. He has committed to 'starting from scratch' to ensure no similar incidents occur in future and the BBC reported him saying he will 'never tolerate acts that violate human rights.' More from Deadline Japan's Fuji TV Faces Criticism Over Handling Of Allegations Against TV Host Masahiro Nakai Japan's TBS, Fuji TV & Major Studios Make Ambitious Play For U.S. And International Markets 'Walking Dead' Maker Skybound Strikes "First-Of-Its-Kind" Deal With Prime Video For Scandi Dystopian Thriller Advertisers have been pulling ads from the network in droves after allegations that Fuji TV execs were engaged in a cover-up over Nakai, who was accused of sexually assaulting a woman at a dinner arranged by network staff in 2023. Last week, Fuji TV held an extraordinary board meeting and established a third-party committee that will oversee a 'comprehensive and independent investigation into the facts surrounding a series of reports issued since December 2024 regarding an incident involving a talent appearing on Fuji TV's program and a woman in June 2023.' Results of the committee's investigation are expected by the end of March. 'Fuji TV and FMH are committed to fully cooperating with the third-party committee throughout the investigation,' an accompanying statement read. The committee added that the network 'sincerely apologizes' to 'viewers, advertisers, advertising agencies and other stakeholders for any inconveniences and concerns arising from recent reports involving Fuji TV.' The Japanese government has called on Fuji TV, which is one of the country's biggest commercial networks, to regain viewer trust, and the exit of Kano and Minato will be seen as a first step in that direction. Nakai is not being investigated by police. Fuji execs had admitted to knowing about the allegation against Nakai, a former SMAP boyband member and host of numerous TV shows, but had not disclosed because the network 'prioritized the woman's physical and mental recovery' and right to privacy. Local reports said Nakai had continued to appear on programs after execs were aware of the situation. That didn't sit well with many companies, who immediately began pulling ads. Meanwhile, shareholder Dalton Investments and its UK associate, Rising Sun Management, expressed 'outrage' in a public letter to the Fuji board published this month. 'I feel deeply the weight of my responsibility for undermining trust in the media,' said Minato at the Tokyo press conference. 'Looking back, I realize there were shortcomings in our response, and I acknowledge my lack of awareness regarding human rights.' Nakai has denied being violent with the woman. Reports suggest he paid her ¥90M($580,000) after the allegation arose. Last week, he announced his retirement from TV and from show business. Other networks that ran his shows have opened their own investigations to look for further wrongdoing. The Japanese entertainment industry has faced a reckoning during the past couple of years or so over these issues following allegations from more than 1,000 people against the late talent agent Johnny of Deadline 'Severance' Cast Through Seasons 1 And 2: Innies, Outies, Severed and Unsevered 2025 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Oscars, Spirits, Grammys, Tonys, Guilds & More Everything We Know About 'Only Murders In The Building' Season 5 So Far
