Fuji TV executives resign amid sexual misconduct scandal

The chairman and president of Japan's Fuji Television have resigned amid a scandal involving celebrity presenter Masahiro Nakai, who was accused of sexual assault. Reports surfaced that Nakai, a former J-pop star, engaged in non-consensual sexual acts and subsequently paid the victim 90 million yen ($570,000) as part of a non-disclosure agreement. As public outcry and advertiser backlash intensified, with major brands like McDonald's and Toyota pulling their ads, Fuji TV admitted prior knowledge of the allegations. Nakai announced his retirement after being dropped from various shows, taking full responsibility for the incident. The scandal has drawn parallels to the recent reckoning in Japan's entertainment industry, particularly involving the now-defunct Johnny & Associates. Critics have highlighted concerns over Fuji TV's handling of the situation and alleged staff involvement in covering it up.