Fuji Scandal Affects All TV Stations

Private TV stations in Japan began internal investigations on whether their staffs have been involved in sexual assaults by TV stars. Fuji Television, one of the leaders of national broadcasting networks stationed in Tokyo, is facing hardships by departures of clients from the commercial massage of its programs, caused by a doubt that its staffs had been involved in scandal of a personality who formerly was affiliated to Johnny’s Entertainment. It may reveal a long-time unrevealed practice inside show business.

Masahiro Nakai, former leader of SMAP which was one of the most successful groups of Johnny’s and was dissolved in 2016, was reported in December that he had a trouble with a woman. He admitted it and the trouble was solved with his payment of 90 million yen to her. Sensitive to the ad sponsors’ claim on scandal of personalities in TV program, TV stations decided to close regular programs to which Nakai was appearing.

It was Fuji Television which was reported that a staff was related to the scandal of Nakai having a trouble with the woman. After a major shareholder of Fuji, Dalton Investments, sent a letter which required Fuji to take proper measures for compliance, including establishment of a third-party committee for investigation and holding a press conference.

The president of Fuji Television, Koichi Minato, held a press conference on January 17th. Minato apologized to the clients and watchers of Fuji, promising establishment of a third-party committee. However, the press conference was strictly limited to major media organizations and excluded some independent reporters and prohibited live coverage of the conference. He also did not clearly answer most questions. Media people were highly frustrated with management of the conference.

It is likely that Fuji has failed in its risk management. Some sponsors, including Toyota Motors and some insurance companies, started retreating from programs of Fuji. The number of retreating companies has swollen to seventy-five by January 20th. Kikkoman, known as a manufacturer of soy sauce, demanded Fuji to terminate a cooking program which the company had been sponsoring for a half century. Dalton Investments requested Fuji another press conference.

The point being focused is how the staff of Fuji was involved in the trouble of Nakai. It is reported that Nakai and the woman met in a dinner set by the staff. Doubted is that this kind of secret meetings were frequently held by TV stars, staffs of popular TV programs and young women. Nakai announced on January 23rd that he would retire from show business.

Concerning that this kind of meetings had been held, other broadcasters began to investigate their own staffs. TV Asahi announced that it found no inappropriate cases after internal investigation. Nihon TV, Tokyo Broadcasting Service and TV Tokyo also started internal hearings. Japan Broadcasting Corporation, or NHK, denied any similar cases as Fuji had been involved in. As private TV stations heavily rely on the income from sponsors, the scandal of Fuji may affect their business in a crucial way.

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