Japanese TV personality and former boy band member Nakai has announced his retirement following allegations of sexual assault. Reports claim Nakai, 52, paid 90 million yen ($570,000) to silence the accuser with a non-disclosure agreement. The controversy has led to the resignation of top Fuji Television executives amid growing public pressure.
Journalist Shiori Ito, a leading voice against sexual violence in Japan, criticized the media for downplaying the allegations, using vague language like “trouble” instead of addressing the gravity of the accusations. Ito, who previously won a landmark sexual assault case, expressed disappointment over the continued protection of powerful figures.
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Japan has yet to see a widespread #MeToo movement, with survivors often facing severe online harassment. The case has also reignited concerns about the entertainment industry’s “toxic culture” of power imbalance, where women are frequently pressured into uncomfortable situations.
Despite some legal progress, including a recent strengthening of Japan’s rape laws, Ito’s Oscar-nominated documentary Black Box Diaries remains unreleased in Japan. The film, which highlights systemic issues in handling sexual violence cases, has faced legal and ethical pushback from authorities.
