Sponsors Pull Commercials on Fuji TV after Masahiro Nakai Scandal (UPDATE 1)

Jiji Press

17:34 JST, January 20, 2025 (updated at 16:00 JST, January 22, 2025)

Tokyo (Jiji Press)—About 50 companies had announced the suspension of their commercials on Fuji Television Network Inc. as of Monday evening, following a report that an employee of the Japanese broadcaster played a role in a sex scandal involving TV personality Masahiro Nakai.

The companies included Toyota Motor Corp., East Japan Railway Co., KDDI Corp., Suntory Holdings Ltd., Seven & i Holdings Co. and Shiseido Co.

Fuji Television has been criticized for not giving sufficient explanation on the matter in a press conference Friday.

At the press conference, Fuji Television President Koichi Minato declined to disclose details, saying the broadcaster would leave the matter to an investigative committee to be established. The company limited the briefing to members of a press club comprising major newspapers and news agencies in principle.

Companies that pulled their commercials said that Fuji Television had not fulfilled its accountability and that it could not be considered to have given an adequate explanation.

Their commercials have been replaced by public service announcements by Advertising Council Japan.

More companies are expected to follow suit. Aeon Co. plans to pull its commercials on Fuji Television from Tuesday.

The suspension of commercials may be prolonged if a probe into the scandal finds human rights or governance issues at the broadcaster.

Tokyo Broadcasting System Television Inc. said Monday that it would terminate a television program hosted by Nakai and remove him as a host from a separate program. The broadcaster also said it has launched an internal investigation into the issue.