 | This article has multiple issues. Please helpimprove it or discuss these issues on thetalk page.(Learn how and when to remove these messages) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
|
In December 2024, Japanese magazines such asJosei Seven andShūkan Bunshun reported onsexual harassment and assault allegations against former television personalityMasahiro Nakai. The reports also alleged that executives atFuji Television (Fuji TV) were involved in covering up the accusations. The scandal resulted in several advertisers ending their partnerships with Fuji TV and led to the resignation of senior executives in January 2025. Due to its scale, the controversy has been referred to as theFuji Television problem (フジテレビ問題,Fuji Terebi Mondai) or theFuji Television incident (フジテレビ騒動,Fuji Terebi Sōdō).[1]
Following the allegations first reported byShūkan Bunshun in December 2024,[2] the first press conference was held on January 17, 2025, by then–Fuji Television President Koichi Minato. The conference was criticized not only for being held behind closed doors, but also for allowing attendance only by a limited number of members from the broadcaster’s press club. Transcripts and other materials were not permitted to be published by Japanese newspapers, online news outlets, or even Fuji TV itself, nor was live broadcasting allowed. The event coincided with the 30th anniversary of theGreat Hanshin–Awaji Earthquake.[3][4]
The company's corporate governance and compliance system came under heavy criticism, leading 75 advertising companies to withdraw their commercials from Fuji TV.[5][1] Management accountability was questioned, resulting in the resignations of President Minato andFuji Media Holdings (FMH) and Fuji Television Chairman Shuji Kano.[6]
Although not directly related to the case, questions were also raised about the responsibility of FMH and Fuji Television Director and AdvisorHisashi Hieda and his influence on decisions made by employees and other executives.[7][8]
Media and public pressure led Nakai to announce his retirement from all entertainment activities on January 23, just days after the first press conference, taking responsibility for the controversy.[9][10][11]
On January 27, Fuji Television held a second press conference, which also drew strong criticism from the public for the way some reporters questioned the management team.[12]
Shūkan Bunshun, which had first reported the case, revised portions of its original article on the morning of the second press conference, publishing a correction in its digital edition. This revision caused inconsistencies between the reporters' questions and the management's answers, leading to confusion and resulting in an unusually long press conference lasting more than ten hours.[13][14][15][16]
Public criticism ofBunshun's editorial stance grew, and the issue developed into a wider debate about media ethics in Japan. Bunshun later issued an apology for the corrections.[17]
In a self-examination program broadcast by Fuji Television in July 2025, Director F of the Announcements Department testified that the company's initial response—limiting information sharing to two doctors at the company's health consultation center—should have involved outside experts, calling the approach "inconsiderate." Reflecting on his decision to inform the victim of her removal from the program, he expressed regret, saying, "I wonder if I really had no choice but to cut short her hope of somehow overcoming her painful experience and moving forward."[18]
Minato stated, "I truly apologize for not being able to fully empathize with the woman's feelings and for causing her pain." Ota said, "I didn't intend to protect Mr. Nakai, but looking back, I can't help but think that I did."[19][20]
In December 2024, reports emerged in Japanese tabloid newspapers alleging that Nakai had engaged in nonconsensual sexual activity with an unnamed woman in her twenties in June 2023.[23]
After the alleged incident, Fuji Television executives were reportedly informed, but the broadcaster took no public action against Nakai, and the matter was not widely covered in the Japanese media. Subsequent reports suggested that although some executives were aware of the issue, Fuji TV's compliance department had not been notified and the information was not shared internally.[74]
The story began to gain wider attention after two Japanese tabloids covered it:Josei Seven on December 19, 2024,[24] followed byShūkan Bunshun on December 26, 2024.[2] According toJosei Seven, the woman had planned to have dinner with Nakai and a Fuji TV employee in 2023, but when the employee failed to attend, a dispute reportedly occurred.[75][76][77][A]
Fuji TV released a statement on its official website on December 27, 2024:
We have recently received reports in some weekly magazines and other media concerning our employees.
The content of the article is untrue, and the employee in question was not involved in any way, including the arrangement of the dinner meeting mentioned in the article.
We were not aware of the existence of the meeting, and there is no evidence that the employee was absent without notice on the day of the meeting.
We have also informed the publisher to that effect. We will refrain from commenting on other matters related to privacy.We remain sincere in our relationships with performers and stakeholders and will continue to strengthen compliance efforts.
Regarding this matter, there have been speculative articles and social media posts concerning our employees and related parties.
We cannot tolerate any content that may lead to defamation or slander, and we ask that you refrain from sharing such content.[25]
Although Fuji TV denied the involvement of the executive mentioned in reports, a follow-up article alleged that the same executive had entertained a company announcer at a dinner party attended by Nakai.[26]
At this point, coverage in Japan remained limited to tabloid outlets. French media, includingLe Parisien andLe Figaro, were among the first international outlets to report on the incident.[29][78]
Following the growing controversy, several broadcasters suspended or withdrew programs featuring Nakai. On January 8, 2025, Fuji TV announced the temporary suspension of his co-hosted programDareka to Nakai, originally scheduled to air on January 12.[27]
The show, formerly titledMatsumo to Nakai and co-hosted by Nakai andHitoshi Matsumoto, had already been slated to end in March 2025,[79] partly due to Matsumoto's ownsexual assault allegations. It was rebranded asSomeone and Nakai, introducing new co-hosts such asArashi'sKazunari Ninomiya[80] andTsuyoshi Muro. AlthoughJunichi Okada had been scheduled to appear as a guest co-host on January 12, the broadcast was canceled. The program was officially terminated on January 22, 2025.[81]
Several individuals have accused Fuji TV employees of sexual harassment.
On January 17, 2025, Fuji Television held a press conference in response to the allegations, but the event was widely criticized, leading to major repercussions such as the full suspension of commercial broadcasts.
On January 21, Kiyoto Saito, president ofNippon Cultural Broadcasting—a major shareholder of Fuji TV's parent company,Fuji Media Holdings (FMH), and a key member of theFujisankei Communications Group—requested that FMH convene an extraordinary board of directors meeting. Acting in the joint names of all seven outside directors, including Saito, the group sought an explanation from FMH regarding the matter. In response, FMH held the meeting on January 23.[38]
Fuji Television held another extraordinary board meeting on January 27, during which discussions reportedly included the potential resignation of President Koichi Minato.[39] A press conference was held later that day at 4:00 p.m.
The issue has been reported not only in Japan but also by several international media outlets, including France, the United States, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Singapore, Germany, and China. Coverage appeared inVariety,The Times,BBC News,KBS,The Straits Times, German-language outletSumikai, theAssociated Press,Malay Mail,Sing Tao Daily, andDeadline Hollywood.Bloomberg News also reported on Fuji Media Holdings' plans to establish an independent investigation panel.[32][91][33][34][92][35][93][94][95][96][97]
Advisor Hisashi Hieda was described in the media as being "on the run"—a reference to the title of a Fuji TV program—after his car was reportedly not seen in the parking lot of the hotel where he had been staying since the January 27 press conference. A source from the network stated that Hieda had been attempting to avoid direct contact with reporters seeking comment.[45]
On February 27, during a press conference held byFuji Media Holdings (FMH) following a regular board meeting, it was announced that Hieda—who was absent due to hospitalization for a compression fracture sustained in a fall at his home—had resigned as a member of the Management Advisory Committee.[98] FMH President Osamu Kanemitsu also announced that he and Fuji Television President Kenji Shimizu had been newly appointed to the committee, with Kanemitsu taking Hieda's place.[99]
The Management Advisory Committee was established in June 2023. Most of its members are independent outside directors, and the committee is chaired by one of them. In response to inquiries from the board of directors, the committee deliberates and provides advice and recommendations on general management issues, the appointment and dismissal of directors, remuneration for directors excluding those on the Audit and Supervisory Committee, and other matters deemed necessary by the board.[56]
On the same day, theNippon Broadcasting System, a radio station under the Fuji Media Holdings group, updated its official website to publish the results of an internal survey on "dinners with celebrities or program-related personnel." The report stated that "no inappropriate dining with celebrities or individuals related to programs was confirmed."[100]
On July 10, Fuji Television announced a major internal reorganization. The Announcers Office was separated from the Programming Department, elevated to a station-level division, and placed under the Corporate Headquarters, which reports directly to the president. This change removed announcer management from the control of the Programming and Production Departments, which had previously overseen casting.
A new management department was also created within the station to strengthen oversight of announcer casting. The General Programming Division, which had supervised the Variety Production Department, was dissolved. In its place, a three-division system was introduced, consisting of the Corporate Headquarters, Content Strategy Headquarters, and Studio Strategy Headquarters, all reporting directly to the president.
Under this system, programming functions were transferred to the Content Investment Strategy Bureau within the Content Strategy Headquarters. The Production Department was consolidated into the Studio Strategy Headquarters and reorganized into three studios: Studio 1, responsible for dramas and films, and Studios 2 and 3, responsible for variety and information programs.[101]
In response to the controversy, on January 14, 2025, the American investment fund Dalton Investments—which holds approximately 7% of Fuji Media Holdings (FMH) shares—sent a letter to the company requesting the establishment of a third-party committee to investigate the incident and restore public confidence.[28][102][103]
Following the company's initial press conference, Dalton Investments sent a second letter to FMH on January 22, describing the event as a "virtual car crash" and suggesting that upper management may have been involved in a cover-up. The firm requested that a second press conference, open to cameras, be held within the week.[36][104][105]
On February 3, Dalton Investments sent a third letter to FMH, this time demanding the resignation of advisor Hisashi Hieda. The letter stated that "he has immense control and influence over the Board of Directors, and this scandal has revealed that corporate governance is completely dysfunctional," and criticized the company's leadership structure, saying, "it is hard to believe that a single individual has been allowed to dominate this large broadcasting group for nearly 40 years." The firm warned that "sponsors and partners will not return unless this structure is urgently reviewed."[47][106][46][107]
After Hieda's resignation, Dalton Investments sent another letter in April, proposing 12 candidates for FMH's Board of Directors. The list included financiers, business leaders, and figures from the entertainment industry, along with recommendations for further governance reforms.[65][108][66]
As a result of the controversy and related factors, FMH's stock price fell by 13% over three weeks. However, figures such as entrepreneur Takafumi Horie and investor Shinta Tabata, along with lawyer and YouTuber Takeshi Okano, announced plans to buy FMH shares to participate in the upcoming shareholders' meeting. These developments led to speculation among individual investors and a rebound in the stock price.[109][110]
The temporary surge in FMH's stock value despite the scandal was attributed to buybacks by short sellers,[111] as well as FMH's low price-to-book ratio and unrealized gains in its real estate holdings, such as Sankei Building.[112]
Meanwhile,NTT Docomo, which holds about 3% of FMH's shares, also requested that Fuji Television investigate the causes of the scandal and provide regular updates on its findings. Both domestic and international shareholders have continued to urge Fuji Television to take corrective action.[113]
At 3:00 p.m. on January 17, Fuji Television President Koichi Minato (at the time) held a press conference regarding the allegations in the large conference room on the 10th floor of Fuji Television's headquarters. The conference was moved up from the regular press event originally scheduled for February.[114][115]
The press conference lasted about one hour and 45 minutes. During the briefing, it was revealed that the company had been aware of the Nakai allegations since June 2023, shortly after the incident occurred, and had appointed an outside attorney to verify the facts and assess the company's response. Fuji Television announced the formation of an investigation committee, with Minato confirming that he himself would be subject to its review. He stated that he was "shocked" when the allegations were published byShūkan Bunshun, explaining that dinner gatherings with female announcers had been common practice when he produced variety programs in the 1980s and 1990s—one reason he decided to hold the press conference. Social media users also noted that the company's 1980s slogan, "If it's not fun, it's not TV," may have implicitly referred to such events.[116]
The press conference was organized at the request of the press club, which includes newspaper and broadcast company representatives. Thirty-three journalists from 19 organizations attended.[117] Weekly magazines, online outlets, and foreign media not affiliated with the club were barred from attending or filming. NHK and commercial broadcasters in Tokyo (excludingTokyo MX) were allowed to observe but were not permitted to ask questions.[118][119]
Filming was prohibited, and photography was permitted only at the beginning of the event. Details of the discussion were released only after it ended.[119] Because of these restrictions, the press conference was covered mainly through still images, leading some to deride it as a "picture-story show" press conference. According toBunshun Online, President Minato—who had initially opposed holding a press event—was joined by FMH Managing Director Masato Ishihara, a close associate of advisor Hisashi Hieda. The decision to restrict access reportedly went against objections from some board members.[120]The Independent also reported that Minato stated he believed Fuji Television employees had done nothing wrong.[121]
The company's handling of the press conference drew widespread criticism from both the media and the public.[122][123][124]
Fuji TV employees and alumni also voiced disapproval. Announcer Manami Miyaji stated onLive News It! that "the press conference was not made completely public, even to employees. I hope management will offer an honest explanation and disclose information sincerely."[125] Former Fuji reporter and current Kanagawa Governor Yuji Kuroiwa also commented, "I thought Fuji TV's press conference would be broadcast live, so I was surprised it wasn't. I was shocked there was no video."[126]
The presence of aRed Fuji painting behind the speakers during the event also drew attention, with some viewers calling it "tone-deaf."[127] Additionally, when the company's own news programLive News It! initially aired the press conference with the caption "Fuji Television President Apology," it was reportedly changed to "Fuji President Explanation" after complaints from the president's office.[128]
On January 19, the petition platform Change.org hosted a campaign initiated by Minami Akira, a formerAsahi Shimbun journalist and currentRyukyu Shimpo editorial board member, calling on Fuji Television to "redo" the press conference. The petition, titled "We Demand the Truth Be Revealed," criticized the company for holding an "unfair" and restricted press event and urged management to hold an open conference allowing full participation and recording. The campaign quickly gained support from journalists and public figures across Japan.[129]
Toru Ota, a former drama producer and executive officer of Fuji Television who later served as managing director at Fuji TV and is currently president ofKansai Television—a semi-key station in the Kansai region affiliated with Fuji—held a press conference on January 22 following his arrest related to the same issue. Unlike the Fuji Television press conference, which faced criticism for being "closed," Kansai Television allowed non-affiliated media to attend and ask questions, though the event was not broadcast live.[130]
Regarding the Nakai incident at Fuji Television, Ota stated, "This was an incident when I was working at Fuji Television. It happened one and a half years ago. Kansai Television has no involvement in this matter. I would like to sincerely apologize to everyone and the staff for the inconvenience and concern caused."[131]
Concerning his response at the time of the incident, Ota explained that he had immediately reported it to Fuji Television President Koichi Minato on the same day. He emphasized that the victim's care and privacy were prioritized, with a limited number of employees assigned to support her, and noted that the staff might have been able to offer closer attention.[132][133]
Kansai Television also reported that nearly 30 companies had suspended their commercials due to the issue, which were temporarily replaced with AC JapanPSAs.[134] Ota expressed that he was deeply shocked by the Nakai and Fuji Television incident and emphasized that Kansai Television intends to investigate similar issues internally. He stated, "We are planning to conduct a thorough investigation in accordance with our human rights policy."[135]
The press conference, including a question-and-answer session, lasted approximately two hours and ten minutes.[136]
On January 27, Fuji Television held a press conference lasting approximately 10 hours and 25 minutes, beginning around 4:00 p.m.[137] and concluding at 2:25 a.m. on January 28. About 400 members of the press attended, including freelance journalists.[138][139] Fuji TV announced that the conference would continue until every question had been addressed. The event was streamed on TVer, Nico Nico, and Abema, and the full conference was also made available on Fuji TV's FNN YouTube channel.[140][141] Chief producer Takashi Watanabe explained the decision to broadcast the conference: "As soon as the press conference was decided, it was determined to show it as-is. If it seemed like we were hiding something, it would be the end of the company." The broadcast was delayed by 10 minutes to protect the privacy of those involved.[137]
During the press conference, 10 programs were either canceled or postponed to accommodate coverage.[142] Attendees included former Fuji TV President Koichi Minato, Chairman Shuji Kano, Vice Chairman Ryunosuke Endo, Fuji Media Holdings President Osamu Kanemitsu, and newly appointed Fuji TV President Kenji Shimizu. Hisashi Hieda, the 87-year-old chairperson of the Fujisankei Communications Group and influential Fuji TV executive, did not attend and did not resign, which drew attention. Kano explained that daily operations were handled by Minato and himself, while Endo stated that "all respective board members will take responsibility once the results of the third-party investigation are out."[143]
Regarding Nakai's dinner party, Fuji TV repeatedly stated that internal hearings found no evidence that executives were involved. Minato clarified that Nakai had informed the company of the incident in July 2023, and the company initially understood it as a private matter between Nakai and the woman, leading them to refrain from further investigation. A correction toShukan Bunshun's original reporting, clarifying that the woman had not been invited by an executive, was issued before the conference.[143]
Fuji TV announced that a third-party investigation would be conducted under the guidelines of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations, with a committee headed by Akira Takeuchi, a lawyer experienced in corporate fraud investigations. Takeuchi will be joined by two lead members, with additional members to be decided later. Results are expected by the end of March. Newly appointed president Shimizu stated, "This incident has brought home to us the weight of trust and the severity of losing it. We will take strict action against any deviant behavior and thoroughly implement measures to prevent recurrence of such acts."[143]
At the conclusion of the broadcast, anchors Minoru Aoi and Manami Miyaji reflected on the press conference. News department editor-in-chief Hidetoshi Hiramatsu said, "Fuji TV brought it on itself to have a press conference that lasted over 10 hours," while Watanabe noted that the event was treated as a program rather than a simple stream, emphasizing the need to accurately convey the proceedings. Watanabe also expressed regret over the lack of camera coverage at the January 17 conference, highlighting the gap between the broadcaster and the public.[137]
Coverage by other broadcasters was limited; neither NHK nor TV Asahi broadcast the press conference live.[144][145] Viewership for Fuji TV programs covering the press conference was two to four times higher than the four-week average preceding the event.[146]
On February 27, Fuji Television and its parent company, Fuji Media Holdings (HD), held a regular board meeting at their headquarters in Odaiba, Tokyo. Following the meeting, Fuji TV President Kenji Shimizu addressed the press. He announced the establishment of the "Revitalization and Reform Project Headquarters" and apologized to all parties affected by the incident, acknowledging that retaining Nakai was a mistake.
The Revitalization and Reform Project Headquarters also announced the creation of a working group aimed at preventing future incidents and reforming corporate culture. Six measures, already implemented, were outlined: strengthening the effectiveness of the compliance system, imposing stricter penalties for compliance violations, harassment, and human rights violations, clarifying and widely publicizing the scope of individuals eligible to use the reporting system, formulating guidelines for dining out and meetings, implementing human rights and compliance education and training, and initiating dialogue as part of human rights due diligence.[58]
On the afternoon of March 27, Fuji Television held an extraordinary general shareholders meeting and a board of directors meeting, during which it decided to review its management structure. Following the meetings, Fuji Television President Kenji Shimizu and Fuji Media Holdings (FMH) President Osamu Kanemitsu addressed the press. Significant changes were announced to restore trust in the company.
First, Hisashi Hieda resigned as director effective June. Second, the total number of directors was reduced from 22 to 10, with the proportion of female directors increased to 30% and the age of new directors lowered to around 50. President Shimizu explained that the decision to create a more compact board aimed to separate the execution of duties from the supervisory function of directors. Regarding the timing of these changes prior to the resolution of the third-party committee, President Kanemitsu stated that "it was better to do everything we could as soon as possible to restore trust. We recognized that renewing the management structure was a major point, so we wanted to make a decision and announce it as soon as possible."[59][147]
Regarding sponsors, President Shimizu noted that the company did not have a clear outlook for April, as approximately 70% of sponsors were still holding their decisions.[148]
On March 31, the investigation report of the third-party committee was released on the official website of Fuji Media Holdings. The committee held a press conference at 5:00 p.m. on the same day. In response, Fuji Television Network, Inc. and its parent company, Fuji Media Holdings, Inc., also held a press conference attended by the station's president, Kenji Shimizu.[149][150][61]
The investigative report alone spans 273 pages, and including the results of a separate questionnaire for executives and employees, as well as a summary version, the total report amounts to 394 pages.
The report concluded that the woman had been subjected to sexual violence by Nakai, as defined by theWorld Health Organization (WHO). It also found numerous other instances of sexual harassment and power harassment by individuals other than Nakai, including a case in which a female announcer was forced to attend a dinner party unrelated to her job and was kissed by a male employee.[149][150][21]
The report further indicated that sexual harassment of female employees was widespread not only within Fuji Television but also at advertising agencies, sponsors, program performers, and companies where interviews were conducted. Additional issues emerged, including the discovery that many employees were unable to report misconduct because, in some cases, complaints submitted to supervisors were leaked to perpetrators, resulting in disadvantages for the victims.[149][150]
In response to the report, President Kenji Shimizu issued an apology for the company's handling of the incidents, its corporate culture, and governance, and pledged to implement improvements.[151]
On April 4, 2025, Kansai TV President Toru Ota held a press conference in which he announced his resignation. He stated that his previous role as vice president of Fuji TV, and the network's delayed or insufficient response to related incidents, had directly harmed Kansai TV.
According to a station spokesperson, Kansai TV was projected to incur losses totaling approximately ¥900 million by the end of April, including ¥300 million in losses from January to March. Total sales were reported to be about 70% lower than the previous year. At the time, 63 companies had suspended the airing of commercials within the station's programming, and the company had received approximately 170 complaints, many requesting Ota's resignation.[63][64]
During the press conference, Ota announced that Sumiro Fukui, the chairman of the Board of Directors, would serve as acting president, and that Hisashi Hieda would remain on the board of directors until June.[152]
On June 6, 2025, Fuji Television President Kenji Shimizu held a press conference, during which he announced that the broadcaster was pursuing legal action against former President and CEO Koichi Minato and former Senior Managing Director Toru Ota under the Companies Act, and that preparations for litigation had begun.
Shimizu also stated that a former programming manager found to have been involved in the incident would be demoted by four levels and placed on a one-month disciplinary leave.[69]
Membership in the labor union, which had previously been low for a commercial broadcaster, increased rapidly, with reports indicating that several announcers had recently joined.[153]
On the January 20 edition ofMezamashi 8, announcerYoshihisa Sakanushi [ja] became emotional and cried when discussing the issue on air, drawing criticism from some viewers.[154]
In response to intensive media coverage, female announcers were required to take taxis to and from work to avoid direct reporting.[155] This contrasts with 2015, when low viewership affected employee salaries. At that time, bonuses and other supplementary income, such as taxi fares, were cut. The company restricted taxi use to late-night and early-morning hours and encouraged carpooling. Popular female announcers sometimes used taxis, but fares were paid out-of-pocket, while others shared the cost.[156]
The controversy also affected production sites, with screenwriterKoki Mitani and comedianRyota Yamasato reporting issues such as being denied permission for location filming.[157][158]
Current and former female announcers and program guests at Fuji TV have also been the target of online slander and false rumors, which they publicly denied.[159][160][161] Fuji TV has also announced it is considering legal action.[161]
On January 23, at 14:30, Ryunosuke Endo, chairman of the Japan Commercial Broadcasting Federation and Vice Chairman of Fuji TV, held a press conference.[162] Following the announcement of Masahiro Nakai's retirement from entertainment, the Fuji TV Vice Chairman held an additional press conference.
Later the same day, at 17:30, Fuji TV conducted a remote information session for employees.
Female announcers at Fuji TV have a long history, predating the Equal Employment Opportunity Law. Historically, the perception was that "the news is for men to read." Main announcers were typically male, while female announcers often held supporting roles, including serving tea to the main cast.Misuzu Tamaru [ja], who declined a job offer from a trading company to join Fuji TV, was one of the pioneers of this shift, working alongside main anchorMasataka Itsumi.Mitsuko Yorichika [ja], a former NHK announcer who later joined Fuji, was considered the original "talent female announcer," appearing in television magazines. While Yorichika primarily worked on information programs, her popularity led Shochiku Films to cast her as a bar hostess.[163]
As the role of announcers evolved, Fuji TV began using external announcers in news programs and variety shows, returning female announcers to secondary roles and making them more easily replaceable. Starting with "Oretachi Hyokinzoku [ja]", female announcers were nicknamed "hyokin anna," marking the beginning of the "celebrity announcer" phenomenon.[163]
Casting of female announcers has historically emphasized appearance. Candidates were selected for attractiveness and screen presence, often wearing attire considered visually appealing on camera. Many commercial network announcers were expected to hold titles such as "Miss [school name]," representing prestigious institutions like Keio University. Age was also a consideration; women around 30 were sometimes regarded as "window-sitters," expected to decide quickly whether to continue in their roles, pursue freelance work, or marry—often to prominent individuals, including celebrities, athletes, entrepreneurs, or heirs to companies. Many announcers subsequently pursued careers as celebrities themselves.[163]
At the January press conference, former President Minato stated that female announcers who had become celebrities often attended social gatherings with other celebrities and athletes. While some participated reluctantly and others out of curiosity, female announcers shared common concerns regarding these interactions.[163]
On January 29, NTV's morning programDayDay reported that Nakai and the woman were scheduled to meet at a social gathering. According to the program,Tsurube,Hiromi, Nakai, an executive, and the woman planned to play golf on that day, but Tsurube injured his back. The group instead held a barbecue at Nakai's house. Hiromi, who was in charge of the barbecue, reportedly had little interaction with the woman. As the weather grew cold, Hiromi and Tsurube left early. The incident between Nakai and the woman allegedly occurred a month later.[22]
On January 30, the TBS programHiruobi discussed the press conference held on January 27.Mamoru Nishiyama [ja], Associate Professor atJ. F. Oberlin University's School of Business Management, appeared as a guest. The discussion focused on the original reporting sources, comparing their reports with statements from Fuji TV and the individuals involved. Nishiyama questioned the authenticity of the reports and criticized the lack of a formal press conference by the media to apologize for any errors and their consequences. He also noted that if the investigation confirmed the executive's involvement, Fuji TV would need to take appropriate action.[164]
On February 4, during a session of the House of Representatives Budget Committee, Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications Seiichiro Murakami stated that there was no reason to revoke Fuji TV's broadcasting license. He explained that licenses are granted only if a station has sufficient funds to maintain its operations, and the lack of funds after obtaining a license is not grounds for revocation under the Radio Law. Fuji TV continued to lose sponsors during this period.[48]
On February 5, Yoshimoto Kogyo issued a statement regarding the self-restraint of its affiliated talent, without naming specific individuals. The agency represents Hitoshi Matsumoto, Nakai's co-host onMatsumo to Nakai (later renamedDareka to Nakai). The statement noted: "We are currently investigating the facts with outside lawyers and others as we have found that some talents belonging to our company are suspected of non-compliance."[165][51]
On March 31, 2025, during NTV'sNews Zero, anchorSho Sakurai commented on the results of the third-party investigation. Speaking as an entertainer, Sakurai stated: "As someone who works in the entertainment industry, I would like to work with all the producers to make them aware of the voiceless voices, to prevent any damage from occurring."[166]
Since the press conference on January 17, many sponsors, includingNippon Life andToyota, suspended their commercials on Fuji TV due to the scandal.[167][168][169][170]
These commercials were largely replaced byAC Japan advertisements, with exceptions such as Takasu Clinic and Very Best Law Office. According to FNN, from January 18 to 20, over 350 commercials were replaced, and by January 20, 75 sponsors had withdrawn their ads from Fuji TV and its affiliates.[171][37][172] By January 25, over 120 companies had suspended advertising on the network.[173][174]
The use of AC Japan commercials is a common practice to fill advertising slots when there are no paying sponsors.[175]
The suspension and replacement of commercials caused several effects across Fuji TV programming:
Fuji TV President Kenji Shimizu reported that the network's broadcast revenue in February decreased by approximately 90% compared to the previous year, following the continued suspension of commercials in response to the Nakai-Fuji TV scandal. He stated that the outlook for April and beyond was uncertain, as it coincided with a period of program reorganization. According to Fuji TV, as of January, 311 companies and organizations had replaced their commercials with public service announcements.[57] By February 25, only 72 companies continued to sponsor Fuji TV.[183][55]
One of the few individuals who continue supporting Fuji TV is Katsuya Takasu, owner of the cosmetic surgery provider Takasu Clinic. According to Takasu:
All the companies that have withdrawn their commercials from Fuji are non-owner companies. We don't discuss things internally like other companies. I make all my decisions based on what I like and dislike. To be honest, I have absolutely no interest in this recent Fuji TV commotion. I'm just a sponsor of Fuji'sSakagami Animal Kingdom [ja] because I like it. I'm not supporting the TV station; I'm supporting the show I like. That stance hasn't changed since the old days. I sponsored Matsu-chan (Matsumoto Hitoshi) because I liked him. There has been criticism, mainly on social media, about continuing to advertise on Fuji. But I don't care at all. I'm giving money to a show that everyone enjoys, so why should I be criticized? It's my money, not the viewers', so there's no reason for the internet to say anything about it. To me, it's like volunteering. I think the people who withdrew from sponsorship are small-minded.[184]
According to a programming executive at a major commercial broadcasting station, producing a television program costs at least 8 million yen during prime time, and up to 40 million yen at the highest end. Fuji TV's programs are generally more expensive than those of other stations. Companies that continue to place commercials during this period provide crucial support for the network. An employee of a major advertising agency explained:
Television stations do not make official announcements about sponsors' movements, so the exact figures are not known, but currently only a handful of companies continue to place commercials on Fuji. Most of them are in the cosmetic surgery and mail-order industries, and they are unlisted companies.[184]
Fuji Network System (FNS) affiliate stations have also been affected by the withdrawal of commercials from programs produced by Fuji TV.Kyushu Electric Power,Seibu Gas, andJR Kyushu announced on January 22 that they would take similar measures against FNS affiliate stations in the Kyushu region.[185][186] In addition to replacing commercial slots, Kyushu Electric Power announced that it would postpone new advertising contracts for the time being.[187]
On January 23,Nishi-Nippon Railroad, Kyudenko, and Fukuoka Financial Group announced similar measures, with Nishi-Nippon Railroad also postponing its appearance in programs produced by Fuji TV.[188]Shikoku Electric Power (Yonden) announced on January 21 that it would replace advertising slots on FNS affiliate stations in the Chugoku and Shikoku regions.[189] York-Benimaru also replaced its arrangements with FNS affiliated stations in the Tohoku region.[190] In Hokkaido,Hokkaido Electric Power Company, Yotsuba Milk, and Hokkaido Bank made arrangements to suspend or replace commercials from Fuji TV programs broadcast byHokkaido Cultural Broadcasting (UHB).[191] Kansai Television also suspended commercial placements, spreading the impact further.[192]
Even when FNS affiliate stations broadcast network programs produced by Fuji TV or other affiliates, sponsors who have stopped advertising on Fuji TV may still have their commercials aired as usual.[193][194][195]
Sponsors of the same affiliate station may take different approaches. For example, whenOsaka Gas andKansai Electric Power withdrew their commercials from Kansai TV, KEPCO targeted only programs produced by Fuji TV, while Osaka Gas withdrew all contracted commercials, including locally produced programs.[196]
In response, FNS stations issued statements. Hokkaido Cultural Broadcasting apologized, stating, "As a member of the Fuji TV network, we deeply apologize for the great concern we have caused to our viewers, business partners, and many other people." UHB reported that internal interviews with employees revealed no problems.TV Miyazaki announced it was conducting additional surveys to strengthen compliance, whileTV Shizuoka said it was conducting an anonymous in-house survey to improve the workplace environment.Kagoshima Television Station expressed gratitude for viewer and client support despite the circumstances.[197]Television Nishinippon Corporation also issued a statement during a program broadcast on January 22, apologizing and pledging to ensure transparent corporate management.[198]
The Kansai TV Labor Union began questioning the future of President Ota, Chairman Fukui Sumiro, and former director and advisor Hisashi Hieda, urging employees to vote on establishing the right to strike.[199] After the release of Fuji TV's third-party investigation results, the union demanded Ota's resignation. One employee stated:
We are already inviting employees to vote to establish the right to strike, and the deadline is 6 p.m. on the 8th of this month (April). If management does not resign by then, I think we will go on strike. There is significant anger among employees toward Mr. Ota and other management who have not stepped down despite being held accountable by a third-party committee.
Another employee added:
The union is increasingly concerned that if we miss this opportunity, we will not be able to regain trust. If the board of directors were functioning properly, we would not have to take this step, but currently there are no executives who can voice objections to Fukui's one-person control.[62][200]
President Ota announced his resignation on April 4, 2025.[63][64]
Other stations also announced internal investigations to determine whether there were any inappropriate activities involving celebrities or sponsors. However,NHK Chairman Nobuo Inaba stated on January 22 that there are no plans to conduct an investigation at this time. According to Inaba, "NHK has a well-established harassment-related reporting system, and we are aware that there are no similar cases."
In 2018, formerTokio memberTatsuya Yamaguchi received a suspended sentence after being found guilty of indecent behavior with a high school-aged girl he met through an NHK E-TV program. The difference with the Fuji TV case is that NHK discovered and reported the incident. A weekly magazine reporter noted the similarities:
There was a suspicion of a cover-up on the part of NHK's program, and there were some reports that the victim protested to NHK, but NHK denied all of them. Yamaguchi learned the victim's contact information because the victim was told by the program staff to exchange contact information, but NHK did not hold a press conference or investigate through a third-party committee.[201]
The TV Asahi Program Council held a meeting on February 20 to discuss the theme "What we should learn from Fuji TV's troubles." Some committee members expressed hope for change in the industry, stating:
A crisis is the greatest opportunity. I hope that this incident will lead to greater awareness and action to 'protect announcers and women,' and that people will say that 'the TV industry has become much safer and cleaner since then.'
In response, Chairman Hayakawa Hiroshi commented:
The unique feature of this incident is that the details of the case are confidential, so everyone is commenting blindly, and the seriousness of the trouble is not well understood. Many things escalated because Nakai was not asked about the situation. I realized that the most important thing was to understand the details of what had happened.
President Shinozuka Hiroshi added:
We established a human rights policy in February last year and are promoting human rights due diligence, but I realized once again that even if we put a system in place, it is important to put soul into it. We will create a workplace where everyone can work with peace of mind. We need to think carefully so that we do not allow distrust of the media to increase any further.[202]
On January 30, 2025, FMH announced that it would revise its full-year earnings forecast for the fiscal year ending March 2025 downward. Fuji TV's new president, Kenji Shimizu, stated that net sales are expected to decrease by ¥50.1 billion, from ¥598.3 billion to ¥548.2 billion, and net profit by 66.2%, from ¥29.0 billion to ¥9.8 billion. Fuji Television's total broadcasting revenue is expected to decline by ¥23.3 billion. Fuji's 28 affiliates are projected to lose between ¥1.3 billion and ¥1.4 billion, with additional losses of ¥200 million to ¥300 million (approximately US$1.29 million to $1.93 million) expected.[41] There is no guarantee that commercials will resume after the committee results are presented in March.
Attorney Masaki Kito noted the possibility that Nakai could be sued for compensation, though "depending on the nature of the act, the amount of [damages] will vary." Considerations include Nakai's involvement with the woman, Fuji TV's participation, andBunshun's "corrected mistake." Kito stated, "It depends on the conclusion of the third-party committee, but it could be several billion yen to ¥10 billion in some cases."[203][204][40]
According to lawyer Ryosuke Nishiwaki, former head of the TV Asahi legal department, a "shareholder derivative lawsuit" could follow if the economic situation continues. In such a case, shareholders (with a minimum of one share held for at least six months) can sue company officers on behalf of the company if it does not act within 60 days when the officers cause damage to the company. Officers are then required to compensate the company for the damages out of their personal assets. It is unclear how many defendants there could be in the case of Fuji TV/FMH; there were 15 directors, including Minato and Kano, who had already resigned. Compensation could amount to several billion yen divided among the defendants, and it is likely that directors' personal assets would not cover the full amount.
There is suspicion of a significant breach of duty among executives at the center of Fuji Television's management. The Companies Act requires directors to "immediately" report to the officer in charge of auditing when they "discover that there is a fact that may cause significant damage to the company." However, the outside director, the member of the Audit and Supervisory Committee, and the person in charge of compliance were not informed until the weekly magazine interview. The third-party committee report could serve as evidence in a lawsuit. Depending on its contents, it is conceivable that the company, under pressure from shareholders, could file a lawsuit against executives on its own without waiting for a shareholder derivative lawsuit.[205]
After learning on January 29 of his participation in the "Nakai barbeque," Tsurube was removed from hisSushiro commercial on January 30.[22] He was also affected in relation to theBS11 programMugaku Tsuru no Ma, originally scheduled to air on February 4, which was subsequently removed from the broadcast schedule. Tsurube had hosted the program for over 20 years at the Osaka comedy hall "Mugaku."[206]
On February 6, Sushiro posted on its official website regarding the removal of Tsurube's advertisements. The post stated that, after apologizing for the inconvenience, the company had decided to remove the ads after learning of his participation in the barbeque, due to the unclear nature of the situation. Internal communications between the company and Tsurube's agency were subsequently held, after which the company decided to resume airing the commercials.[207][208][52]
In August 2025,Masaharu Fukuyama's agency,Amuse Inc., reported that "in March of this year, we received a request for cooperation from the third-party committee established by Fuji Media Holdings" regarding Fukuyama's attendance at social gatherings hosted by then-Fuji TV executive director Ryo Ota. A Josei Seven magazine article had claimed that Fukuyama had refused to cooperate with the committee due to a busy schedule.[209] The agency denied these allegations, stating that Fukuyama had submitted written responses to the committee's questions, in accordance with the report. The company explained that the report had not been published at the time due to its "extremely confidential" nature and referred readers to Fukuyama's comments provided in the magazine interview.[71][210]
On February 4, it was announced that the third-party committee had begun its investigations. The committee started by examining the employees of Fuji Media Holdings and Fuji Television to determine whether other incidents similar to Nakai's had occurred. A second inquiry is planned to investigate the company's corporate culture. Officials questioned whether the investigation should be expanded to include other areas, such as production companies and external contractors.[49]
On February 7,Kinliser [ja] announced via X (formerly Twitter) that it would resume running commercial ads in Fuji TV programming. The company stated that discussions had taken place with involved parties and that it was taking into account changes implemented by the broadcaster. However, it noted that some points remained controversial and that new information could emerge following the third-party committee's findings. The company also expressed hope that resuming the ads would encourage the broadcaster's employees to work diligently and maintain confidence in the future. Kinliser added that it would continue monitoring Fuji TV's activities.[53][211]
On February 10, Fuji Media Holdings announced that it had established a "hotline exclusively for the third-party committee for external parties" to solicit information regarding similar cases between that day and February 24. This hotline is intended to collect information from former employees of Fuji Media Holdings and Fuji TV, as well as external parties who had dealings with the companies, regarding harassment incidents occurring at meetings hosted by the company from April 2016 onward.[212]
On March 28, Fuji TV announced that it had received the results of the third-party investigation, contained in a 394-page report.[60][213]
According to the report, Fuji TV, through the "Reconstruction and Reform Project" and the "Recurrence Prevention and Culture Reform Working Group," established directly under it, formulated a plan for the reconstruction and reform of the company. Fuji TV stated that it would revise the plan in accordance with the findings of the investigation. The company acknowledged serious deficiencies in its risk management that allowed incidents such as Nakai's to occur. In addition to reviewing regulations, rules, and organizational structures, the company noted the importance of transforming organizational and corporate culture. Fuji TV stated: "As a broadcasting company entrusted with the public airwaves, we must carefully grasp social changes and values, and continue to have a healthy social sense, a sense of responsibility, and a strong awareness of human rights."[214]
Third-party committee head Akira Takeuchi compared the Fuji case with theJohnny & Associates case, which Fuji TV's news department (FNN) reported on.[215] Takeuchi stated, "Fuji Television's news bureau is also part of the Fuji Television organization, and since Fuji Television has lost trust, I think there is a problem as to whether stakeholders will trust what the news department investigates (themselves)." Regarding the FNN-produced program The Sexual Assault Problem at the Former Johnny's Office and the Silence of the Media, Takeuchi said that the report was only a self-examination, and that Fuji did not conduct sufficient or objective verification, limiting what could be learned from it. He added: "I believe that it would not have been enough for Fuji TV's news bureau to examine this issue alone."[216][217]
On April 1, the Japan Commercial Broadcasters Association (JBA) received the report from Fuji TV. In response, the JBA issued a written severe warning to Fuji TV on April 2. Ryunosuke Endo, president of JBA and former vice president of Fuji TV, resigned the same day. Until a new president is appointed, managing director Takuya Horiki will serve as acting president.[218]
The former Fuji TV announcer who was the victim of the incident stated on April 1 through her attorney: "The damage I suffered will never go away, and what I have lost will never come back. I honestly feel relieved that my views were expressed in the investigation report. There are many facts I learned for the first time from the report, and I feel frustrated all over again." She added, "I sincerely hope that this kind of thing will disappear from society as a whole."[219]
According toJosei Jishin, Nakai may not have known that the program cancellation was related to him, believing instead that it was due to Matsumoto. President Minato and Director Ota had received reports of the assault but had considered continuing the program until August 2023 to avoid speculation and protect the woman. The decision to end the program was made with the April 2025 reorganization. Nakai was informed by a programming executive with whom he was close and was told it was a comprehensive programming decision. Nakai was already aware of the Bunshun investigation.[220]
On May 12, Nakai's legal team requested disclosure of the materials used to prepare the investigation report, including evidence used to determine that sexual violence occurred. They argued that the report lacked neutrality and fairness, severely damaging Nakai's honor and social status. Despite Nakai responding to the committee's hearing on March 9 for about six hours, the summary of his statements was barely reflected in the report. Although the report found Nakai guilty of "sexual violence," detailed interviews conducted by his attorneys found "no actual violent or coercive sexual acts commonly conjured up in the Japanese word 'sexual violence'." The legal team requested a sincere response from the committee to protect Nakai's human rights.[67][221]
A subsequent request on May 30 by Nakai's team sought further clarification, including: (1) hearing records and evidence used in preparing the report, (2) evidence used to determine sexual violence occurred, and (3) materials showing the correspondence between evidence and findings. They also requested clarifications regarding (1) theWHO definition of "sexual violence," (2) the interpretation of "as an extension of work," (3) the scope and period of the committee’s investigation, and (4) confidentiality misunderstandings. Nakai's team noted that there was no employment or supervisory relationship between Nakai and the woman as of June 2, 2023, and described the committee's handling of private interactions as a unilateral classification of "sexual violence." The committee responded on May 22 that it would refrain from disclosing the requested information, citing concerns that disclosure would "impair independence and neutrality." The deadline for the new request was set for June 6.[222][68][223]
Fuji Media Holdings (FMHD) announced four new director candidates at its regular board meeting on May 16. None of the 12 candidates recommended by Dalton Investments were included. The announced candidates included 11 individuals, such as formerFamilyMart president Sawada Takashi, formerMori Building director and senior managing executive officer and CFO Horiuchi Tsutomu, Fuji Television executive officer Yanagi Atsushi, and Hanada Saori of Atsumi Sakai Foreign Law Joint Enterprise. Dalton had proposed 12 candidates as shareholders, but none were included. FMHD also decided to oppose Dalton's proposal.[224]
At a press conference following the board meeting, Fuji Television president Kenji Shimizu stated that the four candidates were the best suited to advance the company's management reform plan, including the creation of a human-rights–focused workplace. He explained the opposition to Dalton's proposal, saying, "The candidates proposed by the company are the best, and considering the desirable size of the board of directors, we have determined that it would not be appropriate to increase the number of directors."[225]
Kondo Takami, president of NEXYZ.Group, a media advertising business and one of Dalton's proposed director candidates, told TBS, "I never thought they would remove Kitao. I think there's a high possibility that things will become a quagmire. Including the extraordinary general meeting of shareholders, this will definitely become a battle of some kind," indicating the possibility of an all-out confrontation between FMHD and Dalton ahead of the June shareholders’ meeting. Another related source stated that SBI chairman and Dalton candidate Kitao Yoshitaka was "furious" and added, "If things continue like this, there's no backing down."[226]
Programs sponsored by a single company, including those broadcast onBS Fuji, a BS digital broadcasting station affiliated with Fuji Television, were also affected. As a result,Live News & Weather was organized as an alternative program starting on January 28. Ironically,Spot News, which had been discontinued at the end of March 2018, was revived for the first time in nearly seven years.[227]
The status of programs sponsored by a single company is listed below.
| Program names | Producing channel | Sponsor(s) | Solicitations, etc. | Source(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kuishinbo! Bansai | Fuji TV | Kikkoman | Postponed/suspended | [228][31][229] |
| Please, let me have delicious memories (おいしい記憶きかせてください) | BS Fuji | Program moved to Kikkoman's YouTube channel from 15 February 2025 | ||
| Music Fair | Fuji TV | Shionogi Healthcare | Requested removal of company name from program; commercials replaced with AC Japan ads | [230][231] |
| Minna no Keiba | Japan Racing Association(JRA) | Suspension of commercial arrangements | [232] | |
| BS Super Keiba | BS Fuji | |||
| Promise with the Earth ~ Scenery etched in your heart ~ (地球との約束〜心に刻む景色〜) | Fuji TV | INPEX | Postponed/suspended | [233] |
| Future Runners: 17 Futures (フューチャーランナーズ〜17の未来〜) | MS&AD Insurance Group | Removal of sponsor display | [234] | |
| MLB Show-Time | Dip Corporation | Sponsorship withdrawn; broadcast schedule changed to undecided | [235][236] | |
| Mom, Have Another Drink (おふくろ、もう一杯) | Toyo Suisan | Postponed/suspended | [237][238] | |
| Street Corner Palette: Treasure for the Future (街角パレット〜未来へのたからもの〜) | MIRARTH Holdings | [239][240] | ||
| 1H Sense (1Hセンス) | Mercedes-Benz | [238] |
On June 14, 2025,Nikkan Gendai reported that sponsors might resume airing commercials after the broadcast of Fuji TV's July Monday drama. Companies such asSuntory, S.T., Kao, Menard, and Fujipan were expected to return to advertising following a months-long suspension. Of these, only Fujipan was reportedly hesitant to resume. In April, Takeshi Niinami, president of the Japan Association of Corporate Executives and chairman of Suntory Holdings, praised Fuji TV's measures to prevent a recurrence of past issues. Regarding the decision to resume advertisements, he stated that the final decision would be made after the shareholders' meeting on June 25. Government Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi also granted ministries and agencies permission to resume advertising at their discretion.[70]
On July 28, 2025, several major companies resumed airing commercials on Fuji TV.[255][256]
Meanwhile,Nippon Life,Suzuki, andJR Central stated that they had no plans to resume commercial broadcasts as of July.[257][258]
As of September 27, 2025, about 40% of the sponsors Fuji TV had in 2024 had returned, the latest being Suntory Holdings, Toyota Motor Corporation, NTT DoCoMo, etc., which resumed in July. Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance and Japan Life Insurance were expected by the end of September, beginning of October. Mitsubishi Electric would return by October coinciding with the Fall restructuring.[73]
On August 28, 2025, Fuji Television filed a lawsuit in theTokyo District Court against former President Koichi Minato and former Executive Vice President Toru Ota, alleging negligence in their management duties, including failure to conduct a thorough investigation and implement preventive measures. The company sought ¥5 billion (approximately US$34 million) in damages for their alleged mishandling of the scandal.[72][259][260]
According toKyodo News, the scandal—first revealed by a weekly magazine report in December 2024—triggered a mass withdrawal of sponsors. Fuji TV stated that it had suffered revenue losses as of the end of June.[72] Meanwhile,The Japan Times andReuters reported that the broadcaster alleged Minato and Ota failed to adequately respond to the case, including by not conducting a full investigation or establishing preventive measures when the alleged sexual assault was initially reported to management.[261]
TheMainichi Shimbun conducted a public opinion poll from February 15 to 16, 2025, regarding the recent series of issues at Fuji Television. When asked about the decision by multiple companies to suspend commercial airings on Fuji TV in response to the scandal, 58% of respondents said they "thought it was appropriate," while 16% said they "did not think it was appropriate," and 25% responded that they "could not say either way." When asked—using a multiple-choice format—what actions Fuji TV should take to regain public trust, the most common response, at 52%, was "replacing the management team." Other responses included "implementing measures to prevent recurrence" (48%), "clarifying allegations involving Fuji TV employees" (45%), and "disclosing the reality of entertainment activities involving female announcers and employees" (42%), each chosen by more than 40% of respondents. Twenty percent of respondents selected all four options, suggesting that the network would need to take comprehensive steps to restore credibility.[262]
In response to the poll results, on February 25, manga artist Mayumi Kurata suggested that "if Fuji Television cannot attract sponsors, it should immediately bring to light stories that other media outlets are unwilling or unable to report." Kurata added, "As members of the media, I hope that those working in the field will treat this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and report with the spirit of making their mark on the history of major media. I hope they will pull off a 'broadcasting accident' that will go down in history."[263]
Following the coverage of the scandal, women began sharing personal experiences of power and sexual harassment on social media under the hashtag#私が退職した本当の理由 (Watashi ga taishoku shita hontō no riyū, That's the real reason I quit my job!), described as Japan's version of the#MeToo and theWeinstein effect. By February 8, just days after the first posts appeared, the number of testimonies had grown significantly. Women shared the realities behind resignation letters that often cited "personal reasons," revealing experiences of humiliation and harassment by superiors during business trips or in the early stages of their employment. Some accounts described harassment by male supervisors, while others detailed inaction by female supervisors who ignored reports. In certain cases, individuals who reported incidents were subsequently dismissed or transferred. Although the movement received widespread support, it also faced backlash, with some men criticizing women for speaking out.[54]
Fuji (TV) is reportedly replacing the lost ads with stock ads for the Advertising Council of Japan, which it normally runs when it doesn't have an ad to fill a slot.
