FujiTV Faces Employee Backlash Over Nakai Masahiro Scandal

FujiTV Faces Employee Backlash Over Nakai Masahiro Scandal

FujiTV held a 4.5-hour internal briefing on 23 January 2025 to address the handling of the Nakai Masahiro incident. 

The meeting, which started at 5:30 PM and ended around 10 PM, saw over 500 employees in attendance, with additional staff dialling in online. 

The session was led by FujiTV Chairman Kanou Shuuji and President Minato Koichi.

A total of 217 questions were submitted by 145 employees prior to the meeting, revealing strong dissatisfaction within the company. 

Many staff members expressed their frustrations, some in tears, while others reacted angrily or posed difficult questions. 

A few even called for Fuji-Sankei Group Chairman Hieda Hisashi to resign and take responsibility for the situation.

FujiTV's "Live News It" decided to report on the briefing session despite it being intended solely for internal employees. 

Minato disclosed that an external investigation committee, primarily composed of external lawyers, had been set up, though specific details could not be shared due to the ongoing investigation.

In response to criticism of the 17 January closed-door press conference, Minato admitted it had been poorly executed, apologising for its shortcomings. 

He acknowledged that the press conference had failed to meet expectations and was hastily arranged, calling it a mistake.

Interviews conducted by TV Asahi's "Houdou Station" revealed that employees were struggling with the fallout from the mishandled press conference. 

Staff expressed difficulty in maintaining pride in their work, especially when they could no longer hold others accountable, like they once did with politicians and corporations. 

While the investigation committee's formation was seen as a positive step, employees stressed that substantial changes would take time, with the company needing urgent action to prevent further damage. 

The impact of sponsor withdrawals, rejections from interviewees, and difficulties securing filming locations continues to affect FujiTV's operations.

Since the scandal erupted, FujiTV's labour union has seen a significant surge in membership, from just over 80 members to more than 500, representing over a third of the company’s workforce of 1,300 employees. 

This dramatic rise in union participation came after the scandal, with employees seeking a stronger voice in demanding change. 

On 21 January 2025, the union sent an email urging staff to support its push for necessary reforms, highlighting the severity of the scandal and the long road ahead for resolution.

Historically, FujiTV's labour union has been weak, with limited membership and influence, due in part to the founding family's stance against union activities. 

Employees were only permitted to join the union freely after 2018, following the tragic suicide of a Dentsu employee. Prior to the scandal, most union members were in technical positions, with little involvement from announcers or higher-ranking staff. 

However, recent developments suggest that even announcers are now joining the union, reflecting a growing sense of dissatisfaction with the company's management. 

Despite FujiTV’s relatively competitive salaries, the scandal has driven many to reconsider their position, with some employees now pushing for more substantial change.

With pressure mounting both from within and outside the company, FujiTV faces a critical period of reflection and reform. The path forward will require swift and transparent actions to address both the internal employee concerns and the external reputational damage.

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