Fuji TV’s Imminent Breakdown Crisis: What’s Behind the Alarm?
Who are they trying to explain themselves to, and what are they trying to justify?
“President Minato is a legendary figure who supported Fuji TV’s golden era of variety shows, a time when employees in the variety department would say, ‘If it’s not fun, it’s not Fuji TV.’ Even after becoming president, he was active in promoting reforms, such as establishing a suggestion box to hear from lower-level employees. I’ve heard that many employees admired his character” (a person involved in variety show production).
The aforementioned employee also held a similar image of President Minato and believed, “Since the president denied it, A really had no involvement.” However, at the press conference on January 17, suspicions regarding the management and A’s involvement grew even stronger.
“From the start, when a major media company like Fuji TV decided to allow only a few media outlets into the press conference, the office buzzed with ‘Why?’ and ‘Do they have something they don’t want to be asked about?’ The anxiety spread quickly. Then, during the conference, President Minato made a statement showing sympathy for the victim, but he once again denied A’s involvement. Yet, he announced the establishment of a non-independent investigative committee. It didn’t add up; everything seemed contradictory. I have no idea who President Minato is trying to explain himself to. At the very least, it felt like he wasn’t considering us, the employees” (the previous employee).
At the employee briefing on January 23, the questions directed at the management turned into firm doubts.
“President Minato kept saying, ‘I can’t talk about it because it’s part of the third-party committee’s investigation.’ He repeatedly said, ‘It’s my responsibility,’ but the truth is, everyone involved in management, from Hisashi Hieda of the Fujisankei Group (87) on down, shares responsibility. Hieda has never shown up, not even issuing a comment, and I can only assume there’s a reason he can’t appear” (the previous employee).
Additionally, another employee in their 50s shared this story.
