FOr last month, Japan is charged with sexual misconduct on one of the most famous stars in the country on a major TV network, which is becoming a test of entertainment industry’s response to abuse claims against prominent celebrities. Is
Former member of the most popular boy bandmap, Mashero Nakai, is accused of sexually abusing a woman in a private dinner in June 2023, allegedly organized by Japan’s largest broadcasters. What was done by a senior member.
Nakai, who enjoyed a successful career after SMAP as host of a TV show broadcast by Fuji, announcing his retirement on Thursday, told his fan club site that he “my dismissal Regarding TV stations, radio broadcasters and sponsors have completed all talks, cancellation, dismissal and contract cancellation. “
“I will continue to face all the problems sincerely and respond wholeheartedly. According to the Minchi Shambhan newspaper, I am responsible for everything alone,” said Nakai.
Nicki’s retirement at the age of 52 when he admitted that he was involved in a “hassle” in connection with the unknown woman, with Shukan Banshon weekly magazine, he later £ 90m (£ 466,000). Outside the court of worth arrived to the settlement. )
Nakai, which is not the subject of a police investigation, denied whether he used violence or was involved in a third party, adding that he had a “sincere” response to the woman in the township. Was given “This calamity is fully caused by my shortcomings,” he said in a statement on his official website.
Industry in a riot
Japan’s entertainment industry has been forced to re -considering allegations of sexual abuse and abuse, since the powerful music mugu John Katagawa has been subjected to allegations that he has sexually assaulted hundreds of boys and youths. Who joined his agency in hopes of becoming a pop idol.
Broadcasters and their partners in print media ignored the allegations for more than two decades as they hired Katagawa’s Johnny & Associates Stables to get into the profitable market of youth – including SMAP – Continue.
Media was forced to face charges in 2023-four years after Katagawa’s death at the age of 87 in 2019-BBC documentary Predator: The Secret Scandal of J-POP made global headlines and more survivors Encouraged to come forward. Hundreds of people are now demanding compensation from the agency.
TV stations, including public broadcaster NHK, issued a delay apology.The code of silenceRegarding the charges against Kitagawa, which the agency has since tried to re -invent itself under a new management and a different name.
The case has also highlighted other TV networks, among reports that dinner and drinking parties consisting of celebrities and young women are common. Napoon TV and other channels have announced their investigation to see if its staff had organized social gatherings to include celebrities and women.
Media Studies Professor Takahako Kiyama said, “Hopefully, it is expected that TV stations will work as an opportunity for TV stations to review how they make shows,” said Giama. “” “If women are being treated as a lubricating thing to facilitate women, not equal humans but to facilitate TV programs, it is time to stop this practice.”
After allegations against Kitagawa, companies have worked immediately to remove themselves from Fuji TV and Nakai.
More than 70 companies, including Toyota, Nissan and McDonald’s, suspended advertisements on military TV, replacing more than 350 advertisements by Japan’s Advertising Council, promoting awareness of social issues.
Shares of Fuji Media Group declined because Rising Sun Management, which is associated with the US Fund Dalton Investment -, is mostly a shareholder in the network’s military media – accusing the network of lacking transparency.
Rising Sun said in an open letter to the military board, “The turmoil created by Mr Masiro Nakai not only reflects a problem in the entertainment industry, but also, in particular, in your corporate governance. Shows serious flaws. “
“Lack of consistency and, the important thing, is, transparency in both facts reporting and consequently unforgivable shortcomings deserve serious condemnation, which not only dismantle the audience’s confidence, but directly. The shareholder also damages the value of the company, as one of your biggest shareholders, controlling more than 7 % of the company’s stock, we are angry!
In response, last week Broadcaster announced a U -turn, saying it would launch an independent investigation led by a panel of lawyers about the potential role of military TV employees, along with allegations of sexual misconduct. Fuji TV suspended the weekly show organized by Nakai, while other major networks also left the presented.
Military TV president, Kuchi Manato, apologized for creating a great deal of concern and anxiety. [media] Reports “, but his comments failed to stop the emergence of commercial partners and his press conference was criticized because it was only open to some media, who were told not to be broadcast. Once again, Fuji TV will hold the press conference more open next week.
Yousoki Nakura, chief editor of the Digital Edition of Shukan Banshone, noted that the TV networks had hurried to remove the removal from their programs, but they did not start their investigation of the allegations till the Manato press conference.
Nakhura referred to the case as Katagawa. Benshon first reported the allegations against music Mugol in 1999, and in 2004 a court admitted that Katagawa had sexually assaulted. “But the Japanese media continued to use Johnny and Associates operations and did not report the allegations of sexual abuse,” Nakhura told the Guardian.
“In the latest case, Fuji TV just made a press conference when Rising Sun sought clarification. In both cases, the situation went ahead only because of external pressure.
“Broadcasters are now reporting the issues of Nikki, but it is partially due to the fact that Nakai was primarily a freelance in 2020. If he belongs to an influential production company like Johnny and Associates, So I wonder if TV networks are being criticized. “
Fuji TV employees are said to be angry at the administration’s response. Its Labor Union said the number of members had increased from 80 to 500 earlier last week, as the staff was worried about the potential loss of their employer. “I hope the company will be born again with a sense of crisis,” an employee told Asahi Shimbon.
Some critics are not satisfied with the Broadcaster behavior in the context of the allegations, which were previously applied by weekly magazine Josei Seven in December.
In a tough institution, Manchi Shambon said, “It would not be surprising if the network was seen as a panic in defense rather than seeking the truth”.
Agency France Press supported the reporting.
