On January 27, 2025, Fuji Television held an unprecedented press conference that lasted over ten hours, concluding at 2:20 AM on the 28th. This event was a direct response to public scrutiny following allegations of employee misconduct involving former talent Masahiro Nakai. The company faced intense criticism after its initial 100-minute conference on January 17, which restricted media participation and disallowed video recording. Advertisers reacted negatively, pausing their commercial engagements with Fuji. The second conference aimed to address these concerns transparently, featuring 437 reporters and no limitations on questions. By the end, President Koichi Minato and Chairman Shuji Kano resigned, making way for Kenji Shimizu to lead the network’s reputation restoration efforts.
The January 27th conference began at 4 PM and quickly became one of the longest press conferences on record. With 437 reporters present, the session reflected widespread concern and frustration. Attendees fired question after question, seeking answers about the allegations and the network’s handling of the situation. The marathon conference surpassed Yoshimoto Kogyo's previous domestic record by almost five hours and even rivaled international events like Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s 14-hour briefing in 2019. The extended format allowed for deeper engagement and demonstrated Fuji’s commitment to addressing the controversy head-on.
During the conference, Koichi Minato and Shuji Kano accepted responsibility for the controversy, announcing their resignations. Their departures paved the way for Kenji Shimizu, who vowed to restore the company’s reputation. Shimizu acknowledged the challenges faced during the conference, particularly the constraints on providing full transparency without triggering additional issues. He emphasized the urgency of accountability and the establishment of improvement procedures, indicating support for external committees to thoroughly analyze the troubling aspects of the situation.
Shimizu also underscored the importance of fostering psychological safety for employees, aiming to create work environments where issues can be discussed freely without fear of retaliation. Drawing parallels to Google’s acclaimed organizational practices, he highlighted the value of transparent communication. “Creating categories where employees can voice their anxieties is central to healing and moving forward,” Shimizu added, agreeing with external stakeholders about the need for substantial revisions to operational governance.
Ryuichi Tachibana, deputy secretary-general of the Cabinet Office, echoed Shimizu’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of quick and decisive actions to restore public pride and trust. “Fuji Television must act with integrity and rigor,” Tachibana stated, hinting at the wider ramifications if the situation is not addressed thoroughly. The conference marked Fuji Television’s commitment to transparency and corporate responsibility, presenting a new chapter as the network strives to balance commercial interests with public accountability.
As Fuji Television moves forward, it faces the challenge of rebuilding public trust and addressing underlying concerns. The dramatic turn of events spotlights the intersection of media, corporate responsibility, and public sentiment. Stakeholders now await Fuji’s next moves, anticipating further press engagements and internal reviews as the network works to reform its image and operations. The road ahead may be long, but this milestone conference sets a foundation for genuine change and renewed commitment to transparency.