TV host, ex-SMAP singer Nakai announces retirement over sex scandal

It's probably a good thing that alleged sex fiend Masahiro Nakai has now resigned from his showbiz career. This should clear the way for him and perhaps the police to explain and determine why he and Fuji TV officials lured a young woman into an invitation to attend "a party" where Nakai and the woman were the only people present behind closed doors. It also needs to be investigated as to whether he has been involved in other sexual assault accusations and pay offs.

Probably 30 years too late if we're honest - he should've called it quits the moment he realized his vocal range was off-key to off-key.

But hey, usually having being unable to sing, dance or possess any apparent skill would be a hindrance to a career in show biz, so more power to him I guess... ?

I always thought he was the least talented member of SMAP. Always wondered why he was the "leader". Too bad he's in a mess. But I'm sure he's not going to suffer too much, in 2023 his net worth was estimated at the Yen equivalent if USD 5 million.

 I alone am responsible for everything," Nakai reportedly said. 

While it doesn't make his alleged actions any less serious, this is an unusual thing to read in the modern world.

... And nothing of value was lost.

But hey, usually having being unable to sing, dance or possess any apparent skill would be a hindrance to a career in show biz, so more power to him I guess... ?

I can think of many examples of acts who had considerable success despite having very little to no talent at all. Get a good enough marketing team behind you, and you're already halfway there.

Cost 90 Million Yen to retire. Heh, heh...

usually having being unable to sing, dance or possess any apparent skill would be a hindrance to a career in show biz,

In Japan?

Did he have "white parties " like that US mogul creep. Currently in the "Big House "

Mums and Dads....teach your children well....there's a lot of badness out there.

Oh Baby, baby, its a wild world...

I liked SMAP. It was pleasant music. Of course wel managed and controlled, little talent but in Japan. little talent is a lot.

only he and the woman knows what happened. But I get upset when women are always depicted as the virgin innocent and men as the devil in person.

rape is always unforgivable and inexcusable but when raped you go to the police , not accept a settlement out of court. Money can be part of a court settlement .

Rob above....rape cases often end in acquittal...thats the Australian experience anyway.....maybe she went to the cops and was told this very thing.

Imbalance of power in this case as well

Hard to convict would be my guess.

Did the woman get paid? And did he actually rape her because if that’s the case he should be in jail. So much of this story doesn’t add up.

Retirement due to a crime or a scandal is seldom permanent. Sadly, in time, people’s memories of the crime fade and the comeback begins.

Never forget that the japanese media - including Japan Today censored and suspended anyone who tried to point out the truth about the japanese idol/entertainment industry. And I’m speaking from personal experience.

Yep. I remember many, many posts - some from me - criticising decrepit paedophile Johnny Kitagawa back in the day getting deleted quick as lightning.

If there's a hell, hes roasting there right now. Burn, baby, burn!

In America, you can be caught on video talking about sexually assaulting women and then be found guilty of sexual assault in court and go on to be president.

rape is always unforgivable and inexcusable but when raped you go to the police

In Japan?

He will be back in a few years.

Lot of comments but nothing is know about the details of the act except the woman agreed to be compensated.

Many scandals of singers, actors etc...but as bug, they come back and I m sure he will.

If they really want to do some serious investigation, what did Fuji TV know about Johnny's and when? SMAP was Fuji TV's golden goose.

No loss. Has no talent anyways.

That’s it 5million USD?! That’s not very much.

Didn’t he say earlier something like ‘now I’ve paid the woman I look forward to continuing my career’? Really hard to know what people mean these days

That’s it 5million USD?! That’s not very much.

Exactly. Whether you like him or not, he has been a pretty big star along with his group for well over 30 years on TV and tons of tours. Celebs here get fleeced by their companies.

quercetumToday  08:23 pm JST

That’s it 5million USD?! That’s not very much.

Oh? How much do YOU have?

Nakai is reported to have paid the highest income tax for an entertainer in 2023.

TV host and ex-SMAP singer Masahiro Nakai strengths and weaknesses as a entertainer are secondary.

What is much more concerning is the allegations of a serious sexual assault, with the full knowledge of Fuji tv, were subject to a systematic attempt to buy the silence of the alleged victim.

Flipping outrageous.

Who says women don't have power? One woman is taking down an entire TV network!

*Oh? How much do YOU have?*

Nakai is reported to have paid the highest income tax for an entertainer in 2023.

More than that easily. Equity of just three properties in real estate alone is more than the SMAP leader.

I don’t believe it. Celebrities can’t be paid peanuts in Japan.

Where does all the money go?

From Kitagawa, to Weinstein, to Epstein, to Nakai one things for sure will always haunt them abusing and assaulting women is UNFORGIVIN .

@CigarLUV88 and robert maes

You're both apparently new arrivals in Japan. Welcome.

Just for your info, rapists almost never go to jail here (I say "almost", but that's a hopeful take on it... possibly just "never"). And if they have a bit of money... forget about it. No chance of a conviction whatsoever. Going to the police here is a waste of time, as most women know. Quite a few rapists among them as well.

"" Shukan Bunshun and other outlets have alleged a Fuji TV executive was involved in organizing Nakai's meeting with the woman .""

If True!! This Executive Better come forward and face the music now while in the open.

Please use smaller photo, I felt assaulted just visiting jptoday

"successful people should be condoned whatever they do"

such shameful arrogance is rampant at present Japanese showbiz, politics, business circles and general society.

He continued to escape from explanation with own voices to mass such as press conference after all. Its attitude is equal to tell that himself far from innocent.

this affects my life ZERO

kiboushaToday  09:42 pm JST

Please use smaller photo, I felt assaulted just visiting jptoday

Now that right there is funny! Thanks for the laugh!

Nothing like a forced retirement. Bye bye. your music is almost as terrible as that photo.

I alone am responsible for everything," Nakai reportedly said. 

Sounds like someone is falling on their sword, trying to get Fuji TV off the hook. Maybe got a few extra yen to buy out his contract in exchange for a good word.

Fuji Television has also come under fire over its handling of the affair, with dozens of top brands including Toyota and McDonald's pulling their adverts from the broadcaster.

It's way more than just Toyota and McDonald's. I was watching a show on Kansai TV, Fuji TV's affiliate in Osaka, last night. At least 50% of the CMs were Ad Council PSAs. They are losing serious ad revenue right now.

It's settled. A settlement is binding and can't be terminated. Nothing will come out of it except media fodder. Milk the controversy for all the money and attention it can get the newspapers and "news".

He threw Beck under the bus years ago.

Whats good for the goose is good for the gander!!

Another one bites the dust.

An added advantage is we won't have to ever here that Smap song again. Elementary school singing it pretending it's idyllic.

In a serious country, those type of crime you cant get away just with a settlement of money.

If the "victim" agress to get money in change of their silence and the law allows it, what is the crime?.

We can't judge in other way of our country works, is in the law of japan.

So, he isn't charged of a real even fellony. There's no real acusation more than the magazine.

Unless that Japan, is giving more credit to Busshun to their Justice Department or Police Department.

Who is the Lobby behind Busshun and its acussing finger?

At least 50% of the CMs were Ad Council PSAs. They are losing serious ad revenue right now.

Lots of folks suggesting they should rerun the ones from after the tsunami, most famously the Po Po Po Pon! one with cartoon aisatsu animals.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsRm78ZSOgc

owzerJan. 23  09:14 pm JST

Who says women don't have power? One woman is taking down an entire TV network!

It's a Japanese TV network so more power to her.

SakuraToday  02:16 am JST

If the "victim" agress to get money in change of their silence and the law allows it, what is the crime?

Are you saying that if someone commits an illegal act but never gets tried or convicted for it there's no crime?

Have you considered the possibility that Nakai might get acquitted in a trial due to lack of evidence, but that he'd rather pay to keep the matter out of court because of the damage it would cause to his reputation?

Japan's Jimmy Savile. This case may be the tip of the iceberg. Why isn't this in the crime section?

He's doing a good job of bankrupting Fuji TV. I hope they sue him.

I'm glad that this is being reported around the world without the insulting euphemisms that are being used in the Japanese media. "Trouble"? What an insult to the victim of this sexual predator.

quercetumJan. 23  09:20 pm JST

Oh? How much do **YOU** have?

Nakai is reported to have paid the highest income tax for an entertainer in 2023.

More than that easily. Equity of just three properties in real estate alone is more than the SMAP leader.

Whatever you say. LOL

Here is the thing about "going to the police", it is not so easy, in any country. The number of people sexually assaulted that do not report it is around 63%, probably higher. In this case the woman knew that if she made any trouble she would never work at Fuji TV again and a good chance at other TV networks . Though she (hopefully) got a good pay out , simply 'reporting it' is not as easy as it sounds. So, guys, please keep that in mind. I salute her courage. From a concerned guy.