TV Networks Push Hearings Amid Masahiro Nakai’s Scandal

The television networks did not take it seriously.

Former SMAP member Masahiro Nakai has effectively been forced into an indefinite break from his activities.

In June of the year before last, a serious trouble arose involving a female entertainment industry person, X-ko, and Nakai allegedly paid 90 million yen through his representative to resolve it.

When this became public, Nakai’s regular TV and radio shows were either suspended, replaced, or had his appearances completely cut. Two CM clients also took down videos in advance.

Panicked, Nakai posted an apology on his official website on January 9th.

“It is also true that a settlement has been reached through both parties’ representatives, and the matter has been resolved.”

“As for the reports suggesting physical altercations, such as raising a hand, none of that is true. With the settlement, there will be no hindrance to continuing my entertainment activities moving forward.”

However, this did little to extinguish the fire, and Nakai completely disappeared from the public eye. According to sources from talent agencies:

“Nakai was bewildered by the fact that this settlement, which had been concluded, became public at this timing, and he was shocked to be so quickly shut out of the entertainment industry.”

Nakai’s scandal began to surface quietly around last autumn. At that point, TV networks and agencies began investigating, but since both Fuji TV and Nakai’s side suggested that the issue had already been resolved, they didn’t take it very seriously at first.