Yutaka Hasegawa Exposed Workplace Harassment 12 Years Ago—Fuji TV’s Investigation Cutoff Under Fire

The girls are frequently sent out to drink with the executive class

In a certain department, it is said that every year, an exceptionally cute new employee joins the company.

“That girl is secretly called a sacrifice and is constantly sent out to entertain clients. The sexual harassment is really awful. Disgusting.”

Hasegawa’s testimony’s truthfulness is unclear, but it is certain that he has been aware of issues with his former company’s corporate culture for at least ten years.

Currently, Fuji is in the midst of an independent investigation conducted by external lawyers. They are widely seeking information from both regular employees and external staff regarding whether any incidents similar to the troubles involving former talent Masahiro Nakai (52) occurred. It is also reported that the second phase of the investigation will examine Fuji’s corporate culture.

“The external hotline announced on February 10 is, for some reason, limited to incidents from April 2016 onward. If Hasegawa were to provide information, it would be dismissed as past the statute of limitations. Around 2016, Fuji seemed to be in a particularly chaotic state, so I don’t understand why they specifically set ‘April 2016’ as the cutoff. I get the argument that ‘there’s no end if we go too far back,’ but the culture that has persisted until now was fostered during that time. There are still doubts about the appropriateness of setting a timeframe, and I believe they should thoroughly investigate even beyond March.” (Commercial TV network official)

April 2016 coincides with the resignation of announcer Ayako Kato (39), known as “Kato-pan,” from Fuji. She stepped down from Mezamashi TV on April 1 of that year and left the company at the end of the month.

A TV industry insider notes:

“When Kato was with Fuji, I heard that she and other female announcers were frequently taken to drinking parties with executives. Under the current investigation criteria, the drinking parties before 2016, where Kato and others were brought along, would be excluded from the scope of the investigation.”

The independent committee aims to publish its findings by the end of March, leaving only a month and a half. Given the need to compile, verify, and conduct interviews based on the gathered information, some voices are already raising concerns that “there isn’t enough time.”

A talk show insider warns:

“A press conference is a must when announcing the results. If the content is too lenient, it could lead to more than 10 hours of intense questioning, just like last time.”

Fuji TV’s ability to self-regulate is now under scrutiny.