Questions from Readers:
Regarding the reports of troubles surrounding Masahiro Nakai from Fuji TV, is there anyone who can say it’s all just coincidence when looking at the timeline? It seems that there are far too many “coincidences” that overlap in an unnatural way. First, on December 19, 2024, “Women’s Seven” reported on Nakai’s troubles with women, and then on
December 25, “Weekly Bunshun” reported on the involvement of Fuji TV executives. However, Fuji TV denied any employee involvement on December 27, raising questions about how they could make such a definitive statement. On January 7, 2025, Nakai’s appearance was cut from Nippon TV’s “The! Shocking News of the World,” and the next day, Fuji TV’s “Dareka to Nakai” and Nippon Broadcasting’s “ON&ON AIR” also went on air hiatus. Furthermore, TBS’s “THE MC3” disappeared from the program schedule, and the simultaneous stoppage of his regular shows seems too coincidental to believe. On January 9, Nakai apologized on his official website and acknowledged that the troubles were factual. However, on January 15, a U.S. investment fund demanded that Fuji Media HD establish a third-party committee, indicating that foreign major shareholders had concerns. Subsequently, on January 17, former Fuji TV executives held an emergency press conference, and from January 18 onward, major sponsors halted advertising. On January 23, Nakai announced his retirement from the entertainment industry, and Fuji finally decided to establish a third-party committee. On January 27, the resignation of the president and chairman was announced, leading to an unusual press conference that lasted over 10 hours with 437 reporters in attendance. The next day, the editorial department of “Weekly Bunshun” also corrected some articles and issued an apology. Various developments continued, culminating in events on March 31.
Thoughts on the Reports about Masahiro Nakai’s Troubles
I recently discussed the troubles surrounding Masahiro Nakai with friends. Everyone knows him, and especially for our generation, he holds a special place in our hearts. As a fan, this incident was quite shocking. Following the timeline, it feels hard to deny that there are many aspects that seem less than coincidental. In particular, the flow of the reporting felt so smooth, as if a significant wave was building. I watch TV often, so when I saw the reports in December, I instinctively felt, “This isn’t just a rumor.” Initially, “Women’s Seven” reported on the troubles, and shortly after, “Weekly Bunshun” conveyed the involvement of Fuji TV executives—this was too well-timed. I also questioned how Fuji TV could definitively state that “there was no employee involvement,” and I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was being concealed.
Simultaneous Suspension of Regular Programs
The developments after entering January also piqued my interest. The cutting of Nakai’s segments and the simultaneous suspension of other programs seemed abnormal. I remember discussing with friends while watching TV, wondering, “Is this really just a coincidence?” Normally, we enjoy comedy and variety shows, but amidst those enjoyable moments, there was a heavy atmosphere that felt out of place.
Apology and Third-Party Committee
After Nakai issued an apology on his official site, the news that a U.S. investment fund demanded Fuji Media HD establish a third-party committee was astonishing. It was unthinkable in Japan’s entertainment world for foreign major shareholders to raise concerns like that. I found myself slightly hopeful that this might indicate a weakening of Johnny’s influence. I sometimes reflect on the behind-the-scenes dynamics of the television industry. It seemed there was always a tendency to protect popular talents at all costs. Therefore, this entire sequence of events might be signaling a fresh breeze in the industry.
What Are Everyone’s Thoughts?
Considering all this, it’s evident that there are many dramas behind the scenes in the entertainment industry. What do you think? If you have any thoughts or concerns about Nakai’s troubles, please share them in the comments! I’d love for us all to engage in this topic together. Any perspective is welcome, so let me know!
