Fuji TV president to step down over pop star sex scandal

THE president of Fuji Television Network Inc. and the chairman of its parent company will both step down over the handling of a sexual harassment scandal that has already toppled one of Japan’s most prominent TV hosts. 

Koichi Minato, head of the TV arm of Fuji Media Holdings, will resign as president effective on Monday, the company announced. His successor, Kenji Shimizu, will take over on Tuesday. Fuji Media Chairman Shuji Kanoh also steps down today, the company said just ahead of a press conference.

The management shake-up at the TV station follows allegations that former J-pop star Masahiro Nakai sexually harassed a woman while he was working for the broadcaster as a TV host.

A local tabloid reported in December that a Fuji TV employee arranged the meeting between Nakai and the alleged victim at which the incident took place. The company has denied employee involvement. 

First reported by a tabloid magazine last month, the story burst into Japan’s mainstream media in January after activist investors publicly condemned Fuji Media for lack of transparency and poor corporate governance over the matter.   

Nakai last week announced his retirement from the entertainment business and apologised over the incident. He said earlier that a settlement reached with the alleged victim required him to maintain confidentiality. 

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Fuji Media’s shares have gyrated and its bond spreads have widened, as spooked advertisers including Nissan Motor suspend ads and withdraw programme sponsorships. A cabinet minister last week expressed concern that the scandal could undermine public trust in the broadcast industry. BLOOMBERG