In a social media statement posted on Thursday, Nakai said he was “truly sorry for causing so many people trouble and harm”.
“I’m really sorry to say goodbye like this.”
His resignation comes days after Fuji Television President Koichi Minato confirmed that the company had investigated the Nakai scandal. Despite being aware of the report in the media for about six months, he did not reveal it.
Automakers Nissan and Toyota, as well as retail company Seven&I Holdings, which runs the retail 7-Eleven convenience store chain, were among those to announce they were pulling advertising from Fuji Television over the scandal.
Fuji Television is expected to form an independent committee to investigate the scandal.
Nicknames have also been purged from programs.
Nakai rose to stardom in the 1990s as the leader of Japanese boy band SMAP, one of Asia’s most successful acts. The group released more than 50 singles – many of which became chart-toppers – and launched a weekly variety show on prime-time television.
