An independent investigation of a sexual assault case linked to one of the country’s top celebrities said Fuji Television Network failed to support its female employee, adding that management lacked human rights awareness.
The report centres on Masahiro Nakai, a former leader of Japan’s once-popular boy band SMAP, and how Fuji Television handled the 2023 case in which Nakai allegedly sexually assaulted a Fuji announcer at a dinner at his home. He later reached a settlement with the woman.
The allegations surfaced in December and triggered claims of systematic cover-ups by Fuji TV executives.
Public outrage led to advertising losses at Fuji, one of the networks where Nakai worked.
Top management of Fuji TV has resigned, and Nakai announced his retirement in January.
The report by a lawyer-led panel is the first external investigation into the case, and concluded that Nakai had sexually assaulted the woman.
Fuji TV’s initial internal investigation denied any wrongdoing at the company.
Former Fuji TV president Koichi Minato in January apologised, but said he prioritised the woman’s confidentiality and her mental condition.
The new report said Fuji TV’s neglect of the case resulted from its culture of routinely having young female employees entertain male clients and celebrities.
Fuji TV failed to provide necessary care for the woman and did not report to a compliance office despite her consultations with supervisors and two doctors who examined her, the report said, noting the network management’s “low levels of understanding of sexual violence and human rights awareness”.
Executives handling the case were all men who viewed it as trouble in a private relationship and continued to allow Nakai to appear on Fuji TV shows.
They recommended a corporate lawyer for Nakai to consult on the case, the report said.
“It was a wrong and inconsiderate move that only added to her suffering,” said Akira Takeuchi, a main lawyer with the investigation team, who also said surveys of employees indicated “rampant” sexual harassment at the company.
The woman, in a statement released through her lawyer to Japanese media, said she felt “relieved” by the findings of the report after seeing “groundless accusations and criticism” against her on social media.
Women who speak out about sexual abuse in Japan often draw criticism rather than sympathy.
“The damage I suffered will never fade for the rest of my life and what I lost will never come back,” she wrote. — AP
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