Latest news with #MasahiroNakai
Asahi Shimbun
a day ago
- Automotive
- Asahi Shimbun
Toyota resumes ads on Fuji TV after scandal fallout subsides
Fuji Television Network Inc.'s poor handling of sexual abuse allegations against a celebrity involving its newscaster triggered a mass exodus of corporate sponsors from the broadcaster. (Asahi Shimbun file photo) Toyota Motor Corp. has resumed airing commercials on Fuji Television Network Inc. for the first time since suspending them in January, following a sex scandal involving a celebrity associated with the broadcaster. The automaker confirmed on July 29 that its commercials began airing again in late July during Fuji TV's late-night news program "FNN Live News Alfa." Toyota stated that advertisements would be placed in ways approved by its customers and stakeholders. The company did not clarify whether ads would return to other time slots or programs. The withdrawal of major advertisers from Fuji TV began earlier this year following allegations that renowned talk show host Masahiro Nakai sexually abused a Fuji TV news presenter. The scandal sparked a widespread public backlash directed not only at Nakai but also at Fuji TV employees and executives involved, raising questions about the network's governance and crisis management. Consumer goods giant Kao Corp. also announced plans to resume commercials on Fuji TV beginning Oct. 1. Ads are scheduled to return to programs including "Sun! Shine" and "Nep League," as well as the network's Monday 9 p.m. drama slot. Kao explained that its decision was based on sufficient progress made by the broadcaster in addressing the issue, including compensation to the victim, measures to prevent a recurrence, governance reforms and increased transparency. Major food company Meiji Co. will also return to Fuji's commercial lineup, starting Aug. 1 across two programs. The company cited notable corporate reforms and leadership changes as the reason for its renewed confidence in the network. With the industry leaders resuming advertising, momentum may build for other companies to follow suit. (This article was written by Kaname Ohira, Masaki Hashida and Kenro Kuroda.)
a day ago
- Automotive
Toyota, Others Resuming Commercials on Fuji TV
News from Japan Economy Jul 30, 2025 00:15 (JST) Tokyo, July 29 (Jiji Press)--Toyota Motor Corp. and other major Japanese companies are resuming advertising on Fuji Television Network Inc., which saw many companies pull their commercials earlier this year over its handling of a sexual assault scandal involving former TV star Masahiro Nakai. Advertisers are beginning to return to Fuji TV, seeing progress in the broadcaster's reform efforts following the scandal that exposed its governance flaws. In late July, Toyota resumed airing its commercials during the motorsports segment of an evening news program, informed sources said Tuesday. The leading automaker had indicated that it would run ads 'in a way that wins the sympathy of customers and stakeholders.' NTT Docomo Inc. placed a commercial during Fuji TV's broadcasts of the Japanese national soccer team's matches on July 12 and 15. The major mobile carrier said it has not decided on future advertising plans. Other companies in the NTT group have not resumed advertising on Fuji TV, with decisions pending based on ongoing improvements regarding legal compliance. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
Asahi Shimbun
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Asahi Shimbun
Women in broadcasting feel at the mercy of male bigwigs
The main building of Fuji Television Network Inc. in Tokyo's Minato Ward (Asahi Shimbun file photo) An independent investigative panel's report about rampant sexual harassment and abuse at a TV broadcaster was described by some media outlets as 'shocking.' But for one woman in her 30s, the report's details revealed nothing new. In fact, it brought back memories of her own horrible experiences as a TV announcer. 'Reading the panel's report left me heavy-hearted,' said the woman who formerly worked for a major TV network. 'This was just like what happened to me.' The report resonated with many women who have experience in the broadcasting industry. The panel of legal experts was commissioned by Fuji Television Network Inc. to look into allegations that TV celebrity Masahiro Nakai engaged in sexual misconduct against a TV announcer. The report, released in March, concluded that Nakai sexually assaulted the woman. It also said sexual harassment and abuse were rife in Fuji TV working atmosphere, and female workers, including announcers, were expected to tolerate sexual advances from VIPs. The woman in her 30s who worked at a different Tokyo-based broadcaster said a well-known TV personality harassed her when she was in her second year at the company. At the tforime, she appeared in a late-night entertainment show on an irregular basis. After each taping, a wrap-up party was held. She was always made to sit next to him, and he constantly put his arm around her waist and gave her hugs. When the parties ended, she frantically did her best to avoid him. But staff members often tried to get her to take a taxi with him alone. One day, after the last show was recorded, she managed to catch a taxi alone. But she received a text message from the celebrity before she reached her apartment. 'Where are you now? Where is your place? I will be there,' the text said. The woman, flustered, replied: 'My place is so cluttered that there is no space for you to sit down.' His response was: 'I can do 'it' while standing in the entrance.' The woman was so shaken by the sexual insinuation that she did not reply. The following morning, when she told her boss about the text messages, he showed concern, saying, 'That must have been tough.' He promised to arrange her shifts so that she could avoid bumping into the celebrity when he visited the TV station. After the texting incident, however, she heard from multiple colleagues that she was expected to be cast as a new MC of a popular program bearing the TV personality's name because he had asked, but she had been removed from consideration at the last minute. She was also bypassed for roles in other programs. 'I was shocked as my work was disappearing,' the woman said. 'All I did was protect myself from sexual abuse.' She said she sometimes wonders even today whether she would have been better off if she had tolerated the celebrity's sexual advances. But her answer always comes back as 'no,' and she has no regrets, she added. The report about Fuji TV said the sexual assault against the woman occurred in June 2023 after the announcer attended a private dinner with Nakai as an 'extension' of her work. The victim told the panel she felt she had 'no choice but to go along with a bigwig in the entertainment industry,' given his clout in the broadcaster. She also feared she 'might not be cast in programs' if she refused to meet him, according to the report. LOST JOBS AFTER REJECTING TV HOST A magazine late last year broke the story about Nakai's 'misconduct.' A 28-year-old announcer with a local TV station said she initially wondered why the Fuji TV announcer did not take steps to avoid the danger and protect herself. But after reading the findings of the independent investigation, she said her view shifted. 'The same thing could have happened to me if I had been put in her situation,' the woman said. She said she is aware that 'professional skills alone are often not enough to land a role in popular shows.' She has witnessed numerous instances in which announcers in the good graces of the company's board members have been cast in prime programs. In hopes of advancing her own career, she has attended drinking parties with client companies on the request of the broadcaster's sales department. The woman said the Fuji TV victim, like her, worked hard with the goal of appearing in a certain program she had in mind. The Fuji TV announcer's drive was used to sexually exploit her, the woman said. The Fuji TV investigation committee described women in broadcasting as 'vulnerable' to sexual harassment due to a power imbalance. 'While they are employees of a broadcaster, they can appear in a program only after being cast by the program's producer, putting them in a position where they need to be selected,' the panel's report said. 'It is not surprising for female announcers hoping to be cast in a program to feel they are not equal to people with the authority to appoint,' the panel stated. These powerful people include officials in programming departments, producers, directors and TV show hosts, it said. MERIT-BASED HIRING Yasuhiro Kato, who runs a school for students aspiring to be TV announcers, said he focused on professional skills when he was in charge of the department of announcers at Mainichi Broadcasting System Inc. in Osaka. He insisted on having the final say on whether an announcer sought by a program production crew should actually get the assignment. 'I had repeatedly told the production staff that an announcer's job is to grab the hearts of viewers and listeners by the way they deliver the news. They must work hard for years to hone these skills,' he said. Kato suspects that viewers, not to mention influential executives, place the emphasis on the looks of women who read the news. He called for a change in the way society thinks of female professionals and the value of being young. (This article was written by Midori Iki and Saori Kuroda.)
Japan Today
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Today
Japan's newspaper crisis: Losing readers, relevance and the next generation
By Jeff W. Richards Circulation is dropping. Trust is fading. And Japan's major newspapers are struggling to connect with younger readers who now get their headlines from platforms like Line, YouTube and even TikTok. In this edition of Japan Today Spotlight, we look at how Japan's once-powerful dailies — including the Yomiuri, Asahi and Mainichi — are facing a slow decline. From outdated digital strategies to an aging subscriber base, the print giants are falling behind in a media world that now runs on swipes and scrolls. We also revisit past Spotlight episodes that exposed deeper problems in the industry, including the Fuji TV–Masahiro Nakai scandal and how major outlets ignored Shiori Ito's story until it gained global attention. What do you think — is there still a place for Japan's legacy media, or has the news already moved on? Chapters: 0:00 Topic overview 0:49 The fall 3:16 Old habits, aging audience 5:34 The trust gap 6:58 So, what now? 7:58 Outro Japan Today sources: See the Japan Today Spotlight series: Join the conversation! Japan's newspapers are losing readers fast — but the appetite for information hasn't disappeared. Where are you getting your headlines in 2025? Let us know in the comments. Don't forget to like, subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an update on Japan's biggest news stories on our YouTube channel: If you found this episode thought-provoking, check out our other deep dives into Japan's media landscape and our past coverage of: Follow us for more updates: The views and opinions expressed in this video are those of the host and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of GPlusMedia, Inc. © Japan Today
27-06-2025
- Business
Japan's Suntory to Resume Fuji TV Commercials in July
News from Japan Jun 27, 2025 23:51 (JST) Tokyo, June 27 (Jiji Press)--Japanese beverage company Suntory Holdings Ltd. will resume running commercials through Fuji Television Network Inc. in July after pulling them from the broadcaster in January, it was learned Friday. Many sponsors, including Suntory, stopped running their ads on Fuji TV, in opposition to the broadcaster's poor handling of a sexual assault scandal involving former TV star Masahiro Nakai. Hoping to restore their trust, Fuji TV President Kenji Shimizu announced a reform plan including preventive measures. He will also play the leading role in the new management of Fuji Media Holdings Inc. as new president of the parent of Fuji TV. The new management was launched with approval of shareholders Wednesday. Informed sources said that Suntory Holdings decided the ad resumption as it appreciates to some extent the media group's reform plan and the new Fuji Media management, which will implement the plan. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
