"Editorial: Fuji TV tolerated sexual violence in its ranks, deserves condemnation," 2 April 2025

An independent investigative committee set up by Fuji Television Network Inc. and its parent company Fuji Media Holdings Inc. has released a troubling report into allegations of sexual assault by former TV personality Masahiro Nakai, determining the case involved "sexual violence as an extension of work" targeting a female announcer then employed by Fuji TV.

The report fiercely condemns the broadcaster for a lack of human rights awareness and ingrained tolerance of harassment. The gravity of the situation has even raised serious doubts about Fuji TV's viability as a public-oriented media entity.

The woman, only a few years into her tenure at the network, was in a position where she was unable to refuse dinner invitations from influential performers. Exploiting this status for such despicable actions constitutes a severe violation of human rights.

Nevertheless, then-Fuji TV President Koichi Minato and others dismissed the incident as merely "private trouble between a man and woman," neglecting to take appropriate actions to protect the employee...

To prioritize maintaining favorable relations with an entertainer appearing on popular shows over safeguarding the human rights of their own employees is simply indefensible.

Further, the investigative committee uncovered two other similar cases that endangered female staffers. Shockingly, it was customary within the organization to select employees based on attributes such as "gender, age and appearance" and assign them entertainment duties for clients.

The report further pointed out, "Harassment was widespread throughout the entire company," criticizing a corporate culture that even promoted a newscaster accused of sexual and power harassment to a position on the board...

TV stations' dismissive attitude toward human rights was similarly called into question during the sexual abuse scandal at male talent agency Johnny & Associates Inc. The report strongly emphasized, "This represents a structural issue pervasive throughout the media and entertainment industries" -- a message the entire sector must earnestly heed.