The president and president of Fuji TV, one of the largest Japanese channels, resigned following allegations of sexual misconduct against a famous television host.
Dozens of companies have withdrawn their network advertisements, which was criticized for trying to hide the scandal.
Masahiro Nakai was accused of having sexually assaulted a woman during a dinner in 2023 who was allegedly organized by Fuji TV staff. He announced his retirement from the show business last week.
The Japanese government has asked Fuji TV to regain the confidence of viewers and sponsors.
At a press conference on Monday, the president of Fuji TV, Shuji Kano, and President Koichi Minato bowed by announcing their resignation. This occurred shortly after an emergency meeting of the board of directors.
They apologized to viewers as well as stakeholders for disorders and anxiety caused by a scandal that has shaken Japanese entertainment industry.
“I deeply feel the weight of my responsibility in breaking the confidence in the media,” said Mr. Minato. “With hindsight, I realize that there were gaps in our response.”
Mr. Minato had previously admitted that the company had known the allegations brought against Nakai shortly after the alleged incident. But Fuji TV had chosen not to disclose it at the time, because it “gave priority to the physical and mental recovery of women as well as to the protection of her private life,” he said.
Information was published last month that Nakai has paid the anonymous woman more than half a million dollars. Other allegations then surfaced according to which an employee of Fuji TV would have helped to organize dinner.
Nakai, former member of the Boys Band Smap and famous presenter of several Fuji TV programs, denied having used violence against women. He also said that he had “solved” the problem with her through a regulation.
But that failed to appease the anger of the public.
Nissan and Toyota car manufacturers were one of the companies that removed Fuji TV advertising.
In an open letter, the investment company Rising Sun Management, the majority shareholder of the parent company of Fuji TV, said that the scandal “reveals serious flaws in your corporate governance”.
Fuji TV has since set up an independent committee to investigate the scandal.
Executive vice-president Kenji Shimizu, who will replace Mr. Minato as president, said that he “would never tolerate acts that violate human rights” and have committed to prevent similar incidents by “leaving zero “.
Earlier this month, the channel suspended a weekly program hosted by Nakai while other major networks have also abandoned the presenter.
Other television channels have also announced their own surveys, following information that similar dinners involving celebrities are a common practice in the industry.
