Nakai Discusses Talent U Controversy as Fuji TV Addresses Future Casting

Ryo Furuhata, who was pointed out for sexual harassment, has effectively been removed from the show

On March 31, a third-party committee from Fuji TV published a detailed 394-page investigation report regarding the sexual harassment allegations involving Masahiro Nakai (52). The report includes raw details about how a former female Fuji TV announcer was invited by Nakai and programming executive B, with descriptions of their exchanges.

The woman, upon receiving the third-party committee’s report, commented that she learned many new facts, including the interactions between Nakai and Executive B, as well as the responses from Fuji TV’s former president Minato. She expressed her confusion and frustration, stating that there were things she hadn’t known until the report was released.

The former female announcer commented on the report, stating:

“After this incident, there were many new facts I learned for the first time, such as the interactions between Nakai and the then programming director B, as well as the responses from Fuji TV’s former president Minato. I am once again overwhelmed with feelings of helplessness.”

In addition, the report also mentions other harassment incidents. It lists names of individuals, such as Masato Ishihara (a former executive who resigned on the 27th) and Ryo Furuhata (who has now been removed from his role as the main anchor for BS Fuji’s news program “Prime News”). This can be seen as an effective dismissal for Furuhata.

Although the names of internal Fuji TV staff were disclosed in the report, harassment incidents involving external individuals remain anonymous.

One of the participants in the 2021 December gathering, “Sweet Room Meeting,” organized by Nakai and executive B, was a “Talent U” (not believed to be an alias). The report questions whether this individual will face any consequences. During the event, Nakai and Talent U arranged for themselves and the female announcers to pair off, sending other staff out of the room. According to the report, Nakai and Talent U each sat next to the female announcers. Nakai reportedly made inappropriate gestures, touching the woman’s knee, shoulder, and collarbone, and bringing his face close to hers.

Talent U, who was a powerful figure in the entertainment industry, like Nakai

In the investigation report, Talent U was not mentioned, but the incident at the “Sweet Room Gathering” was already reported by Shukan Bunshun in the January 23rd issue. The situation where U was with Nakai and two women was identical to what was described in the report.

According to the report, Talent U touched the female announcer’s thigh, causing the woman to panic and run to the restroom. When she returned, U was naked in the bedroom, gesturing for her to come closer. This incident has sparked discussions on social media about the identity of the talent. A TV industry insider stated,

When the third-party committee requested an interview with Talent U, U’s representative lawyer expressed the following intention:

“If the fact of the interview is conveyed to CX, there is a risk of information leakage.”

As a result, Talent U is refusing to cooperate with the interview, fearing that the information could be exposed.

“It is feared that the female announcer might lose her job, which suggests that Talent U, like Nakai, is considered a powerful figure in the entertainment industry. The investigation report mentions that during the meeting, U said, ‘I am considering retiring from the entertainment industry.’

U is very close to Nakai, and because U had spoken about retiring from the industry at the time, there is growing speculation about who that person might be. However, various networks are already collecting information and appear to have identified U, so it seems likely that future television appearances will be difficult” (sports newspaper reporter).

When asked whether Fuji TV knew who Talent U was and if they would consider hiring them in the future, the corporate communications department responded via fax:

“Regarding the detailed results of the third-party committee’s investigation, we refrain from commenting. However, casting decisions for programs will be made appropriately in accordance with our compliance guidelines.”

The investigation report also includes other incidents, such as one involving Executive Producer B, who hosted a dinner where:

“A prominent program guest was alone with a female employee, exposed his lower body, and the woman felt threatened and ran out of the restaurant.”

The report highlights not only the harassment by the talent but also the serious responsibility of B for having facilitated the situation.