Former SMAP member Nakai Masahiro introduced on his official fanclub website that he’ll be retiring from the leisure trade, this following being uncovered for settling a “sexual misconduct” incident.
I, Nakai Masahiro, will retire from present enterprise as of right this moment. As for my firm, Nonbiri Nakai Co., Ltd., I can be closing down as quickly because the remaining procedures and enterprise are accomplished. I’m saying this right this moment as a result of I’ve accomplished the entire talks with the varied TV and radio stations I’ve been concerned with relating to the cancellation, resignation, suspension, and termination of contracts, and I’m presently in discussions with sponsors.
I don’t consider in any respect that I’ve fulfilled all of my tasks. I’ll proceed to face varied points and investigations sincerely and reply with sincerity. I personally take full duty. I’m extraordinarily sorry for inflicting a lot hassle and loss to so many individuals. And as soon as once more, I wish to supply my honest apologies to the opposite get together. I apologize to all concerned events for the difficulty. As soon as once more, I apologize. I’m very, very sorry. Thanks for the previous 37 years. Farewell…
Backtracking a bit, you’ll discover that is an about-face from his perspective instantly after the scandal broke, the place he was defiant and assured he may proceed together with his profession. He had additionally distanced himself for implications that execs at Fuji TV had helped setup ladies with these males, however since then additional allegations had emerged about each.
On Thursday, Shukan Bunshun printed one other allegation accusing the identical Fuji TV govt of getting arrange one other gathering, over drinks at a Tokyo lodge in 2022, with feminine TV presenters invited “to entertain” Nakai and different male TV celebrities.
One of many male entertainers whispered to a feminine presenter that the ladies may “simply have intercourse” with the boys current, inflicting her to consider that she was getting used to sexually entertain them, the journal reported.
Understandably, the scandal has since deepened as he and Fuji TV got here beneath rising hearth, together with from shareholders.
In an try and squash issues, Fuji TV then held a comparatively clandestine and disastrous press convention that was described as “a blatant try to cover one thing, an try to purchase time”, and promised an. investigation however with out particulars. That pissed off just about everyone, and likewise scared off corporations, with the quantity pulling advertisements from the broadcaster now as much as 75 and extra shareholders urgent Fuji TV to research the scandal correctly.
All of this actually left no approach ahead for Nakai, as he had all of his gigs cancelled on him, and somewhat than issues quieting down, the scandal solely gave the impression to be rising with time. Fortuitously, it looks like my cynicism about anyone holding Nakai accountable didn’t come to go, although it does seem to be loads of it was as a consequence of him messing with the cash of the broadcasters and the ensuing worry from that greater than anything.
Except for Fuji TV’s mess, three different broadcasters (TBS, Nippon TV, TV Tokyo) have mentioned they’ll conduct inner investigations about their very own practices following public scrutiny relating to the tradition and ethics of the broadcasters. Whereas I’d nonetheless be shocked if something comes from all that, not less than there seems to be rising public help each time these points are uncovered, and hopefully that may assist victims really feel even a bit extra assured in coming ahead.