Former Female AD Reveals Fuji’s B-san is a Monster Created by the Television Industry After Sexual Assault Experience

“I have been pushed around for his convenience for a long time.”

“I was fed up with Mr. B’s selfishness when I saw the announcement by Fuji Television’s third-party committee. If I can reduce the number of future victims by conveying the damage I have suffered, I would be happy to talk with you in a short time.”

This is the story of Miho Sato (pseudonym), whose affair and legal troubles with Mr. B, a former Fuji executive editor, were reported by FRIDAY in its January 31 issue. In the investigation report by the third-party committee, it was revealed that Mr. B had acted as an intermediary in introducing lawyers to Masahiro Nakai (52) and paying him 1 million yen in visitation money. It was also revealed that Mr. B had engaged in a cover-up, including deleting 325 LINE and other communications that served as evidence.

 Before her confession, I would like to first revisit the previous FRIDAY report. According to a friend of Miho, the two had an affair from 2021 to early 2023. At that time, Miho was working for a production company, and when she was in charge of a Fuji program, she would sometimes meet Mr. B within the company. Of course, Mr. B was a married man with children.

After the announcement by the third-party committee, what is Miho thinking now? When I approached Miho, who was on her way home from work, at first she ignored me, but when I continued calling out to her, she stopped and spoke with me for about 10 minutes.

“Although Mr. B aggressively pursued me, I regret and reflect on the fact that I became involved in an affair. However, I have always been at his mercy, being tossed around by his convenience. He would often contact me suddenly on the day itself, and even if I refused, he would show up at my house. There was even a time when he told me, ‘I want to have dinner, so prepare it,’ and I was made to go buy a 10,000 yen dinner from a famous Italian restaurant.”

 It is said that Miho, who worked as an AD, was once whispered such sweet words.

“Do you have a favorite celebrity? How about I invite you to a drinking party with them next time? Or ‘Write the proposal, and I’ll bring it to the meeting.’ He would also suggest doing favors for work. I realized that he was someone who used his position like that. I also have pride, so I never asked him for anything.

It seems that his relationship with President Minato (Koichi, 72) was also deep. He would often boast, ‘I’ve been given another Minato-san project again.’ Also, he referred to Nakai-san and Matsumoto Hitoshi (61) as ‘Mabu’ and met with them about 2 to 3 times a month.”

“He erased my LINE evidence.”

During the affair, Mr. B is said to have suggested, “How about a threesome with some of my acquaintances?” Additionally, during their encounters, there were times when he strangled her or slapped her, leaving bruises. Miho expressed her anger, saying, “I wasn’t treated as a human, I was treated like an object.”

“At first, I respected Mr. B for his work. However, in 2023, due to a certain decisive issue that occurred between us, I was no longer able to continue my work and had to quit my job.

Even when I left the television industry, Mr. B didn’t say a word to me. Instead, when I planned to file a lawsuit to hold him accountable for the troubles, he deleted all the LINE messages that would have served as evidence. He also closed his Instagram DMs. He carried out the same cover-up tactics that were mentioned in the investigation report, and he did the same in my case.”

The two are still in dispute over their legal troubles. Miho also shared her thoughts about Fuji and the TV industry itself, which had allowed Mr. B to go unchecked.

“I’ve worked on a Fuji program, and it seems there’s a culture within the company where womanizing is considered a form of artistry. Mr. B often boasted, saying things like ‘I was invited by that female president from a major talent agency’ or ‘There are plenty of women who want to sleep with me.’ His bragging came from the success and admiration he experienced at the company.

However, I think this isn’t just a Fuji culture, but something that pervades the entire television industry. I’ve heard stories about a group date king from another network who used to host drinking parties with female announcers and talent. If I may say, Mr. B is a monster created by the television industry.”

After sending a list of questions to Fuji regarding Miho and Mr. B’s legal troubles, the cover-up, and whether there was a culture that might have condoned the affair, the following response was received by the deadline:

Regarding the individual privacy of employees, we do not respond to such inquiries. (Omitted) We will sincerely address all human rights risks and implement reforms in all systems, culture, and awareness.

As Miho walked away from the reporters, she murmured, “Mr. B can delete the LINE history, but the scars in my heart will never go away.” To prevent further harm, Fuji is being called upon to make real, not superficial, reforms.

From the April 25 and May 2, 2025 combined issue of “FRIDAY”