Fuji TV CEO directly apologizes to former employee over sex scandal
Fuji Television CEO Shimizu Kenji on June 19 directly apologized to a former Fuji TV employee concerning the sexual assault scandal by former boy band SMAP member Nakai Masahiro.
A third party panel concluded in March that the incident was “sexual violence as an extension of business operations” related to Fuji TV.
Shimizu apologized that the company did not take necessary and appropriate actions to remedy the woman’s human rights, and for causing emotional distress to the woman due to the broadcaster’s external communications.
The two signed an agreement that Fuji TV would make efforts to protect the woman from slander and defamation, and that the company would compensate the victim for the economic and emotional damages she suffered in relation to the series of actions taken by Fuji TV.
Following the apology, the woman said that the pain she suffered will never disappear, but she will see the apology as a milestone and live her life with a fresh mind.