TV star Masahiro Nakai retires amid sex scandal

Japanese television host Masahiro Nakai, one of the most recognizable faces on the country’s television, announced his retirement after a sexual assault allegation rocked the country’s entertainment industry.

Nakai, who presented for Fuji Television, was accused of sexually assaulting a woman at a staff dinner in 2023.

Dozens of companies pulled their ads from Fuji Television, amid claims company staff tried to cover up the scandal.

Nakai denied using violence against the woman and said on January 9 that he had “resolved” the issue with her through a settlement. But this failed to quell public anger.

In a statement posted on social media Thursday, Nakai said he was “truly sorry for causing trouble and loss to so many people.”

“I’m really, really sorry to say goodbye to you like this.”

His resignation comes days after Fuji Television President Koichi Minato confirmed that the company failed to disclose the Nakai scandal despite knowing about it well before it was reported in the media.

Automakers Nissan and Toyota, as well as retail company Seven & I Holdings, which runs the 7-Eleven convenience store chain, were among those who announced they were pulling advertising from Fuji Television over the scandal.

Fuji Television should establish an independent committee to investigate the scandal.

Nakai’s appearances were also removed from the programs.

Nakai rose to fame in the 1990s as the leader of the Japanese boy band SMAP, one of Asia’s most successful groups. The group released more than 50 singles – many of which became chart-toppers – and launched a weekly variety show on prime-time television.

After SMAP disbanded in 2016, Nakai became a television host as well as one of Japan’s richest celebrities.

The Japanese entertainment industry is faced with cases of sexual assault that have long remained unacknowledged.

In 2023, J-pop executive Johnny Kitagawa, who has been dead for four years, has been exposed for sexually abusing hundreds of boys and young men for decades.

His talent agency, Johnny & Associates, had managed SMAP among other boy bands.