Dozens of large companies Japan have pulled their ads from Fuji Television amid allegations that company officials tried to cover up a sex scandal involving one of the country’s most famous television hosts.
The scandal focuses on Masahiro Nakaiformer member of popular boy group SMAP and now a host at Fuji and other Japanese networks. Nakai has been linked by local media to an alleged sexual assault at a party allegedly hosted by one of Fuji TV’s employees.
After the weekly Shukan Bunshun reported in December on a 90 million yen ($578,000) settlement between Nakai and a woman over an alleged sexual assault at a dinner in 2023, the former star SMAP released a statement acknowledging a settlement for “an issue.” , but he denied resorting to any violence.
News of the scandal did not immediately trigger a flood of withdrawals from sponsors. But many apparently began replacing their ads with public service announcements after a Friday news conference from Fuji TV that sparked criticism that the company lacked transparency and contrition over the matter.
Major sponsors such as automobile manufacturers Nissan Motor Co. And Toyota Motor Corp.; cosmetics manufacturer Shiseido; Retailer Seven & I Holding Co. and life insurer Meiji Yasuda announced they were removing advertisements from Fuji TV. According to local media, more than 50 companies have done the same.
