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Many major Japanese firms halting commercials for scandal-hit Fuji TV

A number of major Japanese companies say they are following Toyota Motor Corp. and suspending commercials on Fuji Television Network Inc. as the Tokyo-based broadcaster faces scrutiny over its alleged involvement in a misconduct scandal linked to Masahiro Nakai, a male member of the now-defunct popular idol group SMAP.

A number of major Japanese companies said Monday they are following Toyota Motor Corp. and suspending commercials on Fuji Television Network Inc. as the Tokyo-based broadcaster faces scrutiny over its alleged involvement in a misconduct scandal linked to Masahiro Nakai, a male member of the now-defunct popular idol group SMAP. Along with Japan's largest carmaker, Nissan Motor Co., cosmetics maker Kao Corp. and Seven & i Holdings Co. have distanced themselves from Fuji TV, which announced Friday that it is launching a probe amid allegations that an employee played a role in the incident between Nakai and a woman. According to a weekly magazine in December, what was initially planned as a meal in June 2023 with Fuji TV employees ended up with only Nakai and the woman present, leading to nonconsensual sexual activity and a 90 million yen ($577,000) out-of-court settlement.

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