The third-party committee established by Fuji Television Network and its parent company, Fuji Media Holdings, released an investigation report on Monday regarding the company's handling of the controversy involving former TV personality Masahiro Nakai and his alleged sexual misconduct toward a woman.

Led by attorney Akira Takeuchi, the committee concluded that Nakai had committed sexual violence against a former female announcer of Fuji Television in June 2023, constituting a serious human rights violation. The report also noted that the incident took place within the context of work-related activities.

According to the findings, Nakai, through a former Fuji TV programming director, delivered 1 million yen ($6,700) in cash to the hospitalized woman under the guise of a sympathy payment, without consideration for her medical condition. The committee concluded that Fuji TV executives had acted in Nakai's interest.

The report strongly condemned the delivery of cash on Nakai's behalf, stating that it "lacked regard for the woman's condition and emotions" and could be perceived as "hush money or a form of secondary victimization".

Additionally, the investigation revealed that the former Fuji TV programming director and the head of programming strategy, acting on Nakai's request, introduced the woman to a lawyer who had previously worked with him and even accompanied her to the law firm. The report determined that these actions demonstrated Fuji's programming and production department was siding with Nakai.

As a result, the victim's distrust toward Fuji TV grew, leading her to believe that the network was protecting a high-profile personality while disregarding younger employees and announcers. The report deemed this perception "understandable".

At a news conference on Monday, Fuji Television President Kenji Shimizu issued an apology for the deep distress caused to the victim. Beyond the incident of sexual violence and its surrounding circumstances, the investigation report highlighted serious issues regarding the company's response after the incident, corporate culture, and governance.

"We take the third-party committee's findings very seriously and are acutely aware of our responsibility as a company," said Shimizu. "Above all, we sincerely regret that our remedial measures were not sufficient, and as a result, the victim suffered a very painful experience."

He also extended his apologies to Fuji TV viewers, advertisers, performers, and production-related business partners.

In December 2024, the weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun and other media reported that the incident originated from a dinner gathering arranged by a Fuji TV employee. However, the third-party committee found no evidence that employees had directly invited the woman to the gathering on the day of the incident. Instead, the report concluded that Nakai "coerced her into a situation where it was difficult to refuse" and persuaded her to dine at his apartment.

The committee also noted that a barbecue held at the same location two days earlier — attended by Fuji TV employees — had influenced the woman's belief that the dinner with Nakai was an extension of work-related activities.

Regarding Fuji TV's handling of the matter, the report found that the network, despite being aware of the situation, failed to share information with its compliance department, citing concerns over the woman's privacy. Furthermore, even without conducting a formal investigation into Nakai's actions, Fuji continued featuring him on its programs for a year and a half.

The report criticized then-Fuji Television president Koichi Minato and two other executives for their lack of understanding of sexual violence and their failure to prioritize victim support.

During a news conference held on Jan 17, Minato and other executives attempted to explain the situation. However, their response was widely criticized as inadequate, triggering a rapid exodus of sponsors.

In response, Fuji TV and its parent company established a third-party committee on Jan 23. Composed of three lawyers, the committee was formed in accordance with guidelines of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations.

Amid growing backlash over the network's mishandling of the scandal, Minato and Fuji Television Chairman Shuji Kano resigned on Jan 27.

Until now, both Nakai and the woman's representatives had refrained from disclosing details of the incident, citing confidentiality agreements.

According to the report, the committee determined that the confidentiality agreement covered the facts of what occurred from the moment the woman entered Nakai's apartment on June 2, 2023, until she left, and the terms of their settlement agreement.

However, the committee conducted interviews with both parties on other aspects of the case. For matters covered by confidentiality, it relied on testimonies from Fuji TV personnel and supporting documents. The report included only privacy-related details that the woman had consented to disclose.

Additionally, the committee investigated whether similar cases had occurred in the past by conducting interviews and analyzing relevant information from relevant parties.

Contact the writers at jiangxueqing@chinadaily.com.cn.