Fukuyama’s Inappropriate Gathering Highlights Crisis Management Beyond Media Handling
Can he defend his status as a national star with his self-deprecating comments by putting himself down and elevating the occasion?
Can he maintain his status as a national star—?
Masaharu Fukuyama (56), the singer and actor, was revealed to have attended an inappropriate gathering hosted by former Fuji TV executive Ryō Ōta (66), mentioned in the third-party investigation report concerning former talent Masahiro Nakai (53) and a female ex-announcer regarding a sexual misconduct issue.
Fukuyama came to light in an interview conducted by the August 18 issue of Josei Seven, and he personally responded to inquiries from the magazine. Following this, his agency, Amuse, issued a statement on its official site on the same day:
“It is true that he attended a social gathering hosted by Mr. Ōta, but he attended under the understanding that it was a work-related dinner. There are no issues as raised in connection with the ongoing Fuji TV problem.” (excerpt)
Fukuyama has known Ōta since the 1993 drama Hitotsu Yane no Shita. According to the third-party report, the gatherings were held about once or twice a year from at least around 2005, with nearly 30 female announcers attending.
“According to Josei Seven, some female attendees felt uncomfortable with sexually suggestive remarks. Fukuyama apologized, saying he reflected on the matter, and explained that he only shared self-deprecating stories about himself, never saying anything to hurt or tease others.” (female magazine reporter)
Regarding testimony on the July 6 Fuji TV verification program that Ōta reportedly said, “Female announcers are high-class hostesses,” Fukuyama told the magazine:
“I never heard that at the gatherings I attended.”
He said he acted as a host to liven up the gathering, acknowledging:
“I brought up topics that were not asked for, and I got the way of livening up the event wrong,” expressing regret.
Fukuyama took the unusual step of personally answering a 70-minute interview with Josei Seven. Known for making risqué jokes on his radio programs, he likely recognized the seriousness of the situation. According to an agency insider:
“Fukuyama decided to speak directly to the reporters himself. We were surprised by his resolve.”
It showed a determination not to handle the matter only through agency-issued statements.
I would like you to use terms like “social gathering” or “meeting.”
Online and elsewhere, many have praised his response:
“I think he commented sincerely as he is.”
“I want to commend him for responding to the interview in his own words and apologizing.”
“Since he spoke directly himself, it’s better than Nakai.”
In addition, a wide-show insider was impressed by a particular approach taken by Fukuyama’s side:
“When reporting on this matter, the agency requested that the term ‘drinking party’ not be used. They wanted it referred to as a ‘social gathering’ or ‘meeting.’ Mr. Ōta clearly called it a ‘drinking party with new female announcers’ on LINE, but they didn’t want the image of people drinking and misbehaving. It’s just a subtle difference in wording, but the fact that they can manage the image to that extent shows the crisis management skills of a major production company.”
Not only in TV wide shows but also in sports newspapers and other media, the incident is reported using terms like meeting or social gathering, with almost no use of drinking party. Within the industry, Fukuyama’s media handling, including the interview, has been met with admiration.
“In investigations triggered by the Fuji TV problem, there are actually several major talents who are nervous in hearings, though the public doesn’t know. More broadly, both celebrities and staff are on edge about whether strange rumors might arise again at wrap-up parties,” said a TV station insider.
For entertainers, image is so important that a single scandal can ruin their work. While going freelance has become a trend recently, it may be precisely this level of crisis management that justifies the existence of production companies.
PHOTO： Yusuke Kondo
