Panel concludes ex-TV host Nakai did sexually assault Fuji TV staff

Committee also points to 'low understanding of human-rights' in handling of case

Fuji Media Holdings' headquarters in Odaiba, Tokyo. An independent committee has concluded that former TV host for the media group, Masahiro Nakai, sexually assault a female colleague. © Reuters

March 31, 2025 19:48 JST

Updated on March 31, 2025 20:05 JST

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- A third-party panel probing a scandal involving famous former TV host Masahiro Nakai and its handling by Fuji Television Network has concluded he sexually assaulted a female employee amid a culture of harassment at the company, a report showed Monday.

Fuji TV has been mired in scandal over its response to the case, after a weekly magazine in December reported Nakai engaged in nonconsensual sexual activity and paid a 90 million yen ($600,000) out-of-court settlement to the woman who met him for a dinner in June 2023.