Wanting to hold on to Sho Sakurai… Nippon TV’s programming executives were “first in line” to open the office of “SMILE-UP.

On the 23rd of this month, NTV held its regular president’s press conference at the station in Shiodome. At that time, President Akira Ishizawa revealed that on March 17, a senior programming executive of the station had visited the company in relation to the sexual assault issue at the former Johnny’s office (now “SMILE-UP.”). At the press conference, President Ishizawa explained that the reason for the visit was to “confirm future efforts,” but a source at the entertainment agency said that the visit had other aims.

On the day of the office opening, the head of Nippon TV’s programming department and a member of the executive bureau in charge of planning were the first to visit the office, bringing a bouquet of flowers and sweets. Originally, the head of the programming department was supposed to go as well, but his schedule didn’t work out. I think the purpose was to show their loyalty first and foremost.

The president’s office of “SMILE-UP.” was filled with many orchids and bouquets of flowers sent by other media companies. Immediately after Nippon TV, executives from other stations were also there.

In addition, the number of Johnny’s staff at Nippon TV has been increased, and they have been more “hospitable” than ever to those from the former Johnny’s office.

Even after the sexual assault was certified, the relationship has not changed at all from before. So far, the janitorial staff of each TV station has been silent, but behind the scenes they are in close contact with each other. In fact, I even get the feeling that the Johnny’s staff at each station has deepened their ties with the former Johnny’s office as a result of this incident” (see above).

The reason why Nippon TV is so downplaying the former Johnny’s is thought to be due to the upcoming broadcast of “Best Artist,” a music special program that has a high viewer rating of about 15% every year.

The head of Nippon TV’s programming department, who visited “SMILE-UP.” on the 17th, was the chief producer of “Bessua” until June of this year, and carried Sho Sakurai (41) as the overall host of “Bessua” again this year. The reason why Nittele did not allow Sakurai to comment on “SMILE-UP.” on “news zero,” the news program he anchors, on the 16th of this month was because they considered his continued hosting of “Bethua.