Nakai Masahiro’s Devoted Fans Take on Fuji TV Over Controversial Caption

I was surprised and shocked when I saw the email exchange that came out this time

The investigation report from the third-party committee established by Fuji Television and its parent company, Fuji Media Holdings (HD), regarding a series of issues surrounding a woman’s trouble was made public on March 31.

The report found that Masahiro Nakai (52) of SMAP was found to have committed “sexual assault” against Fuji TV announcer A. A confidentiality obligation had arisen due to a settlement between the two parties, but A decided to lift the confidentiality and participated in the third-party committee’s hearing. On the other hand, Nakai did not agree to lift the confidentiality.

The report contains detailed email exchanges between Nakai and programming executive B, as well as Fuji TV’s negligent handling of the matter, laid out in graphic detail. The 400-page report is available on Fuji TV’s website and can be accessed by anyone.

On the internet, the overwhelming sentiment is disillusionment with Nakai. Former broadcast writer Osamu Suzuki, who had long been involved with “SMAP×SMAP,” commented on April 1 during the new program “Sun! Shine” (both Fuji TV series):

“I was surprised and shocked when I saw the email exchange that came out this time.”

Dr. Hirokatsu Kinoshita also posted on Instagram:

“I personally assumed that Nakai and the female announcer were in a relationship, had a falling out, and that the situation escalated into a major problem,”

adding, “Personally, the third-party committee’s report is quite shocking. I feel for the fans.”

Meanwhile, some of Nakai’s fervent fans, known as “Nakai-zura,” have voiced their dissatisfaction with the investigation’s findings. Their anger is directed at the program schedule for the day of the third-party committee’s press conference.

A series of issues surrounding Nakai

On March 31, Fuji TV broadcasted a press conference starting at 5:50 PM. When the TV program guide button was pressed, the following announcement appeared:

“FNN Urgent Report: Third-Party Committee Investigation Report – Fuji TV Press Conference”

“Third-Party Committee Publishes Results on the Series of Issues Surrounding Nakai; Will They Explain Fuji’s Response in Detail?”

“Following the Report, the CEO’s Press Conference. What Are the Measures for Restoring Trust? We Will Report Thoroughly”

The phrase that “Nakai fans” (referred to as “Nakai-zura”) took issue with was a series of issues surrounding Nakai.

Indeed, the incident started with Nakai’s trouble involving a woman, but it later revealed Fuji’s governance failures, leading to this press conference. The main focus should have been Fuji TV, not Nakai, and Nakai’s fans were upset that Fuji TV referred to the issue as a series of problems surrounding Nakai.

One fan commented:

“This is a shift in focus.”

Another said:

“It’s a blame-shifting tactic.”

A television industry insider shared:

“The program guide captions are sometimes created by part-time students or other staff, so there’s probably no ill intent. But the ‘Nakai-zura’ argument does have a point.”

Ultimately, the Third-Party Committee’s report has mainly focused on the SMS exchanges between Nakai and Mr. B, as well as the identity of “Talent U,” who attended a drinking party with Nakai in a suite room in December 2021. The report also touched upon a well-known figure who, over 10 years ago, exposed himself in front of a female announcer at a hotel.

“Some of the ‘Nakai-zura’ are raising doubts about the Third-Party Committee’s conclusions and resisting the idea of placing all the blame on Nakai alone. To convince them, Nakai might have to come forward and hold a press conference himself,” commented a reporter from a sports newspaper.

The question remains: will the day come when Nakai himself speaks out about the incident?