Fuji TV Faces Difficult Summer as Pokapoka Chief Producer Departs Amid VIVANT Filming

Fuji Television is struggling to find the light to revive its operations

In early July, Fuji TV carried out a major organizational restructuring and relaunched its operations. Amid these changes, reports have surfaced of outdated practices of entertaining major talents.

On August 18, Josei Seven reported an “inappropriate meeting” involving Masaharu Fukuyama (56) and a female Fuji TV announcer. Between around 2005 and 2019, Fukuyama reportedly attended the semiannual so-called “Masha-kai,” organized by former executive director Toru Ota (66). According to the article, Fukuyama repeatedly made sexually suggestive remarks to the female announcers present.

The inappropriate meeting came to light during the third-party committee’s investigation into Masahiro Nakai (53) and his own female-related troubles—an unexpected spillover. Currently, attention is on the Fuji-produced movie Black Showman, starring Fukuyama, scheduled for release on September 12.

“After the report on Fukuyama’s inappropriate meetings, an internal notice circulated instructing staff to share any news coverage in advance, but that was the extent of the response. Since this is a highly anticipated project, Fuji is not considering delaying or canceling the release,” said a distribution company official.

Under President Kenji Shimizu (64), Fuji recently elevated its Compliance Promotion Office to a bureau-level division to tighten governance. When asked about the decision to proceed with the release, Fuji responded:

“We do not disclose details about the film’s distribution. At our company, we have not confirmed any reports of harassment by Masaharu Fukuyama during the meetings in question. We will continue various initiatives to prevent harassment.”

Just as Fuji was beginning its rebuilding efforts, this scandal involving a major talent emerged. Dissatisfaction reportedly lingers among staff.

“President Shimizu is strengthening development of in-house IP like anime and films, while cracking down on the variety division, which has seen repeated scandals. The July organizational reshuffle merged the Variety Production Bureau with the Information Production Bureau, promoting the head of Information to bureau chief. The shift seems to be moving from mainstream variety toward educational variety programming.

Following the restructuring, the chief producer of Pokapoka abruptly resigned. He had long complained that too many restrictions made it impossible to develop new projects. Apparently, Netflix also approached him, and he chose to leave in search of a freer environment,” said a production company insider.

Mid-level Fuji staff working in variety programs voiced further criticism:

“Budgets for program production continue to shrink. For Pokapoka, discretionary expenses per episode, which used to be several hundred thousand yen, have been cut to a maximum of 100,000 yen. This makes it difficult even to borrow footage from other stations and impacts program quality. Many talented staff are leaving, especially in the variety division, and the most capable employees are the ones departing first.”

Fuji’s “VIVANT”

Amid this turmoil, Fuji TV is pinning its hopes on a “major autumn drama” being produced in secrecy within the company. The script will be written by Koki Mitani (64), returning to commercial terrestrial TV drama for the first time in 22 years.

“Masaki Suda (32) will star. Set in 1970s–80s Shibuya, the story is an ensemble drama focusing on behind-the-scenes staff at the legendary still-operating Shibuya Dotonbori Strip Theater, rookie comedians, and new writers. The cast also includes Minami Hamabe (24), Fumi Nikaido (30), Eiko Koike (44), and Kaoru Kobayashi (73).

To refresh the image, it will air not in the traditional ‘Getsu-9’ (Monday 9 PM) slot but on Wednesdays at 10 PM. Except for the three main cast members, other roles are being kept secret until broadcast. Production costs are high, and insiders have likened it to TBS’s hit drama, dubbing it ‘Fuji’s version of VIVANT,’” said an entertainment production source.

Fuji had planned for this new drama and Fukuyama’s upcoming film to lead into next year’s popular movie releases of Odoru Daisousasen and Kyousho. However, Fukuyama’s scandal has already disrupted these plans.

“Before Fukuyama, there was also controversy over Takahiro Ishibashi (63). The talent involved in Nakai’s hotel drinking parties with female announcers, noted in the investigation report, still hasn’t been revealed. Just when you think one issue is resolved, another emerges. With the endless internal scandals at Fuji, it’s impossible to move forward with major projects,” said a Fuji staff member.

By mid-August, visiting Fuji’s headquarters revealed a stark scene. Normally crowded with visitors for events like Odaiba Adventure King, the area in front of the building was nearly empty. Even this summer, the flagship special FNS 27-Hour Television was canceled. The desolate scene at Odaiba seemed to symbolize Fuji TV’s current struggles.

From the September 5, 2025 issue of “FRIDAY”