Former SMAP member Nakai Masahiro apologized just lately after studies emerged again in December of 2024 that he paid 90 million yen to an unidentified girl as part of a settlement for an alleged sexual misconduct act that happened in June of 2023.
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So far as what transpired, there isn’t a variety of element about precisely what occurred that has emerged, which I’m guessing was the purpose of the settlement. There does appear to be some element on what led as much as the incident and the aftermath of it, although.
The studies, which emerged final month, mentioned that Masahiro Nakai, a 52-year-old former member of the massively standard group SMAP, had paid a girl a lump sum of ¥90 million ($570,000).
That was to settle what most Japanese media shops have cautiously described as “sexual bother” regarding an encounter that happened in 2023.
Particulars are scarce on the incident, however main tabloid journal Shukan Bunshun reported that it concerned a closed-door setting and a “sexual act towards her will.”
Bunshun talked with the girl, X, in addition to a number of individuals near her. X, who labored at Fuji TV, wouldn’t say a lot concerning the incident itself as she’s sure by the lawsuit. Nonetheless, she and others declare that A, an individual at Fuji near Nakai, organized for her to hitch a “group” banquet with him and Nakai. He and the others canceled on the final minute, leaving her and Nakai alone. The incident occurred that evening.
X by no means needed to attend the celebration within the first place. Nonetheless, a pal of X’s mentioned she felt compelled to as a result of A – and, by implication, Nakai – needed her to.
Staff of Fuji TV interviewed by Bunshun deny they have been concerned within the incident.
The alleged sufferer additionally referred to as for modifications within the leisure trade and mentioned this has occurred to different girls.
After the incident, X ended up hospitalized attributable to psychological stress. A pal says Nakai tried to ship her a get-well-soon reward, which she rejected.
X thought-about submitting police costs. Nonetheless, a pal mentioned she pursued a settlement as a substitute as a result of she didn’t need her identify to develop into public.
“I don’t need to see extra individuals like me,” X informed Bunshun, selecting her phrases rigorously. “[Japan’s] leisure world has to vary.”
“It’s like we now have no proper to refuse the individuals who make and forged the applications. We’ve got no selection however to entertain [the entertainers].”
Regardless of Fuji and Nakai’s denials, she and others interviewed declare that A has arrange different girls on the station with male celebrities in the identical method.
“Why hasn’t Fuji stopped A?” she requested rhetorically. “They’re simply turning a blind eye? There are different victims like me.”
There was clearly backlash concerning this, however there had been silence till now. What doubtless sparked the apology was Nippon TV, Fuji TV, Nippon Broadcasting System, Timee, TBS, TV Asahi, and SoftBank all distancing themselves from Nakai by cancellations, suspension, or censorship.
Thus, he gave a probable purposefully broad apology to everyone generally and the alleged sufferer.
“I’m very sorry for the inconvenience this has brought about everybody,” Nakai mentioned in a press release made on Thursday. “A number of the studies will not be true, and I’m very sorry for the opposite celebration and all of the individuals concerned.”
“I’ve kept away from making any bulletins attributable to confidentiality obligations related to the settlement with the opposite celebration,” he added within the assertion. “I’ve brought about many difficulties in my very own actions, so I want to share as a lot as I can.”
Nakai acknowledged that whereas there was actually “bother” with the girl there was “there was completely no violence, resembling elevating one’s hand, on this bother, as some studies have said.”
Nakai closed his assertion by saying, “Lastly. All of this bother is because of my shortcomings.
There may be one other celebration concerned on this matter. I sincerely ask that you just chorus from speculating or slandering [her regarding] this matter. I sincerely apologize to everybody. I’m actually sorry.”
As for what elements of the studies have been particularly unfaithful, they revolved round alleged use of violence and one other particular person being concerned. Moreover, with I suppose unsurprising hubris, Nakai additionally asserted that the settlement will enable him to “proceed his leisure profession with out obstacle”.
In response to his apology, the girl said, “I’ve no remark. My life gained’t return to the way in which it was. That’s all.”
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Hopefully she at the least gained’t must see him in all places on tv anymore, although clearly one has to concern that traditionally Nakai’s confidence about his future has been validated.