Anger at Fuji Executive for Mobilizing Female Announcers for Nakai’s Reception Amid Industry Backlash

Anger towards Fuji TV is spreading to other networks.

A series of incidents stemming from former talent Masahiro Nakai’s (52) troubles with women has escalated into a situation that threatens Fuji’s survival. Fuji Media Holdings, the parent company of Fuji TV, announced that due to the impact of halted commercials, its net profit for the full fiscal year ending in March is expected to decline by 73%, down to 9.8 billion yen compared to the previous period.

In Fuji TV’s standalone financial results for the period from April to December last year, the final profit was 5.5 billion yen. If the decline in commercial revenue continues this year, there is a possibility that Fuji’s standalone results for the fiscal year ending in March could end in a net loss.

 

Relentlessly demanding the invitation of announcers from other networks

In the midst of this, the February 6th issue of “Weekly Bunshun” reported that former programming executive A was reportedly responsible for initiating the rumors about Fuji’s “tribute culture.” It was revealed that A had been persistently asking female announcers from other networks to attend drinking parties.

A reportedly contacted female announcers from their own network who had connections with announcers from other networks through their subordinates, and demanded that they invite the other network’s announcers. “Bunshun” also published an “invitation LINE” from one of A’s subordinates, acting on his wishes.

The participation of announcers from other networks in A’s drinking party was also reported by “Sports Nippon” on January 27th. It was said that Masahiro Nakai and a famous male talent were present at the party. The participating women reportedly entered the room one by one at A’s signal and were introduced to Nakai and the male talent.

There were also reports of the male talent pleading, “Let me fuck you!,” suggesting the drinking party was quite informal and relaxed.

 

What were they going to do if another station’s announcer was victimized?

This is not something other networks can treat as someone else’s problem. Staff from other commercial key networks are furious.

“If things had gone wrong, our own female announcers could have fallen victim as well. This is absolutely unacceptable. If the facts come to light, our network might formally protest to Fuji,” said one such individual.

Although these companies are competitors, there are frequent exchanges at the operational level. In news departments, for example, media outlets often work together to cover major stories.

“There’s a sense of camaraderie, like comrades in arms. That’s why, if what A did is true, the feeling is one of unforgivable,” the network staff member continued.

A’s drinking parties often involved surprise locations, with participants arriving only to find the venue was a hotel suite. The women gathered were seated next to the “guest of honor,” a famous talent, and treated as entertainment staff. The fact that A expanded this treatment to announcers from other networks only proves how far he had gone.

A television industry insider commented, 

“What would have happened if a female announcer from another network had been victimized? In any normal company, he would have been fired immediately. But did A think he could just get away with it because of his immense power at Fuji? This situation questions the environment at Fuji that breeds monsters like A.”

It’s likely that A’s actions were also prompted by requests from his superior, Masahiro Nakai, among others.

“Nakai, who is said to have once been a delinquent, prefers calm women with black hair. It was reported in some women’s magazines that he recently developed an interest in TBS reporter Takako Zenba. Nakai apparently communicated his preference to A, who arranged the dinner parties,” said a sports reporter.

It seems that Fuji TV has not only lost trust from its commercial sponsors and viewers but also from other networks.