Nakai’s No-Show Tactic and Other Forced One-on-One Methods in Showbiz

At the end of 2024, the women-related trouble of Masahiro Nakai was reported by Women’s Seven and Weekly Bunshun. The no-show, one-on-one strategy, said to have been orchestrated by a Fuji TV programming executive, caused a stir in society.

The issue began with a dinner arranged by a Fuji TV executive. Initially, the entertainment industry-related woman, Ms. X, was supposed to have a meal with Nakai and Fuji TV executive A, along with several others. However, on the day of the event, A suddenly canceled, leaving Ms. X and Nakai alone together.

“Usually, it’s considered inappropriate for the host of a dinner to cancel. Moreover, when the other party is a big celebrity like Nakai, one has to suspect that the situation was intentionally set up for them to be alone together, with Nakai’s knowledge. Therefore, it’s understandable that this ‘cancellation’ could be seen as a planned move,” said a key station insider.

What exactly happened during the meal is unclear. However, later, negotiations for a settlement were reportedly underway between the two parties, and it is said that Nakai paid Ms. X 90 million yen as a settlement.

Nakai’s case may not have been a mere coincidence, but rather an example of the entertainment industry’s longstanding one-on-one strategy which has taken on different forms over time. A particularly notable example of this was the technique used by the prominent talent-led group “Group K.”

Alone together with an idol in a confined space.

“Famous talent K,” a central figure of Group K, was admired by juniors at the time but also known for his flashy womanizing. K was famous for his preference for beautiful women and idols, having been involved with several female talents. His freewheeling behavior was a well-known story in the entertainment world at that time.

Initially, his approach was mostly about flirting, but as time passed, his methods gradually became more calculated. Behind the glamorous entertainment activities, incidents of targeted actions began to occur more frequently. One of the methods used by the group was the “Locked Room Strategy,” where people would gradually leave to create a confined space. A terrifying event that young idol A-chan faced one day brought this method to light.

A veteran entertainment executive reveals:

“A-chan was invited to K’s drinking party by a trusted senior female talent. She initially tried to refuse, but was told, ‘Just showing up is enough,’ so she reluctantly attended. At the first party, nearly 10 people gathered, mainly members of Group K, and it seemed like a lively meal. However, the atmosphere changed during the karaoke at the second party. Before the karaoke started, more than half of the attendees left, citing work or other reasons. In the end, only K, his junior talent, the senior female talent, and A-chan remained.”

After the karaoke began, the junior talent said, “I have to make a phone call,” and left. Then the senior female talent also said, “My partner called me,” and left the room. Neither of them returned, and in the end, only K and A-chan were left.

“This was a technique that Group K often used. Initially, they would gather in a group to create a sense of security, but then people would gradually leave, and eventually, the ‘locked room’ was created, leaving just the target and the person they were after alone. It seemed like a carefully planned sequence of events,” the executive revealed.

He confessed while putting his arm around her and then offered to drive her home.

In the karaoke room where they were alone, K reportedly got much closer to A-chan. The entertainment executive continues:

“K sat next to A-chan and suddenly started saying things like ‘I like you’ and ‘Let’s date.’ A-chan, who was much younger and had no interest in him, was terrified when he even put his arm around her. She reportedly ran out of the karaoke room in tears.”

Afterward, K allegedly chased after A-chan, who was walking to the station.

“K repeatedly called out to her, saying, ‘I’m sorry. Get in the car, I’ll give you a ride.’ But A-chan ignored him and tried to escape. She was too scared to get into the car. In the end, A-chan contacted her mother, who came to pick her up.”

What shocked A-chan the most was the possibility that the senior female talent she trusted might have been complicit in the plan. Members of Group K continued their careers in the entertainment industry, but that one night seemed to leave an unforgettable scar on A-chan.

“The senior female talent who invited A-chan may have known K’s intentions from the start. In fact, this woman was dating one of the group members. If she was in on it, it would be a very malicious situation. K’s public face was a bright, approachable character popular with the general public. However, to learn that he was engaged in such planned behavior behind the scenes deeply shocked A-chan.”

The no-show two-person strategy used by Masahiro Nakai and the locked room strategy used by Group K are both events that symbolize the unspoken rules rooted in the entertainment world.

Because young talents and industry insiders have long been exploited by popular talents, these issues have become deeply entrenched. If this mentality isn’t corrected, the same problems will continue to repeat in different forms. It’s time for the entire entertainment industry to take responsibility and work towards fundamental reform.