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Fuji TV announcer reprimanded for sexual harassment in South Africa

45 Comments

Fuji Television took disciplinary action against its employee, sportscaster Testuo Nagasaka, 42, on July 16 for his "misconduct" in South Africa. He has been demoted from his current position as vice manager of the broadcast department and transferred to the administration office, while six supervisors have also been reprimanded with salary cuts.

Fuji’s public relations department admitted sexual harassment was the reason, but refused to provide details in consideration of the victim. Further interviews have uncovered the incident that took place last month in South Africa, where Nagasaka was on an assignment covering the FIFA Confederations Cup.

According to a Fuji TV employee, Nagasaka and the crew went out for drinks after the game. The intoxicated sportscaster asked a female member, who does not work for the company, to take him back to his hotel room where he tried unsuccessfully to woo the woman, in her 20s. Upon returning to Japan, this person filed a complaint against Fuji TV and the incident became public.

Nagasaka has worked for Fuji as an announcer since 1990, and has a reputable track record – some even say that for any sports event or competition, “Japan always wins when he holds the microphone.” But a Fuji TV source admitted he had the tendency to go overboard once he starts drinking.

It’s an irony that this embarrassing incident took place when Fuji TV has just begun working on corporate compliance.

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"...back to his hotel room where he tried unsuccessfully to woo the woman."

Sounds like attempted rape, not sexual harassment.

"...refused to provide details in consideration of the victim."

Concealing or downplaying sexual harassment or rape is always the wise choice.
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This happens all the time in the Japanese TV and entertainment industry, but most young "talent" consider it part of the career development process.

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Happens everyday in every manner of workplace. If the girl likes the guy, she receives his advances and they have a sordid affair or a relationship. If she does not like the guy she screams sexual harassment. Not enough information in the story to indicate sexual harassment.

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hakujinsensei: "Happens everyday in every manner of workplace. If the girl likes the guy, she receives his advances and they have a sordid affair or a relationship. If she does not like the guy she screams sexual harassment."

It's "every day" actually, as any English speaker should know when it's their native tongue.

More to the point, though, I see you're back on here today blaming the woman again. In a way you fight right in here -- you're willing to blame the victim for being assaulted, for having pictures taken up their skirt, etc., and cannot accept the fact that these men are akin to criminals and have no self-control.

"Not enough information in the story to indicate sexual harassment."

There's more than enough, actually, and it seems they're trying to cover up the details lest the charges become more serious and they actually have to punish the man a little more harshly (instead of being 'demoted' to administration). I have no doubt Fuji and many responsible here are simply cursing the woman for not going along with it and getting raped.

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Sorry, "In a way you FIT right in here".

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No smith, didn't blame the woman, just throwing some sawdust on the oil. Damn, and what is with the hard ass attack on my grammar? I think that usage would qualify under colloquial speech... I always write 'nite' as well, so go ahead n hammer me on that while you are at it ; )

There has been no conviction, just another woman claiming sexual harassment for whatever reason. I have noticed in my time here that lately there is a real strangeness associated with this whole notion of just what sexual harassment is in Japan. And not just from the girls, I hear a lot of especially young jguys use the term flippantly referring to anything of any sexual content.

Different strokes for different folks. I think that sexuality is a large and natural part of the human experience and deserves a bit more pragmatism and things are becoming overly uptight over the last few years. I don't claim sexual harassment when the girls that I work with stroke my arms and get goo goo about the heavy hair growth. But I can bet that most would scream sexual harassment if I stroked their exposed back or neck and commented on the sexy downy hair... Then again, now that I think about it, few have ; )

If I meet a bird that turns me on, I just might approach her more than once seeking a relationship and by the latest sexual harassment standards, one no and it is game over... I went thru the Tommy Hopkins course and for those of us that did, the first 7 rejections are negotiable.

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"Nagasaka has worked for Fuji as an announcer since 1990, and has a reputable track record – some even say that for any sports event or competition, “Japan always wins when he holds the microphone.” But a Fuji TV source admitted he had the tendency to go overboard once he starts drinking".

Seems to be quite a contradiction there. Reputable -vs- admitted had the tendency to go overboard once he starts drinking.

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hakujisensei, the Japanese definition of sexual harassment is: "if the girl (woman) feels harassed, then it is sexual harassment". according to the sekkusu hara guidebook they doistributed in my place

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hakujinsensei: "No smith, didn't blame the woman, just throwing some sawdust on the oil. Damn, and what is with the hard ass attack on my grammar? I think that usage would qualify under colloquial speech... I always write 'nite' as well, so go ahead n hammer me on that while you are at it ; )"

Sorry... my bad. Mistakes involving 'everyday' and 'every day' has been a minor pet-peeve for some time. It's a stupid mistake that native speakers make all the time when writing. Anyway, overreaction on my part.

As for the rest:

"There has been no conviction, just another woman claiming sexual harassment for whatever reason."

There has been no conviction because the man is considered a star in Japan, and that the idea that 'when he holds a mike it's a victory for Japan' can be challenged by a mere woman would be outrageous in this society, so they are simply doing damage control. You make a point of saying that since there are no details you can only imply the woman is merely claiming sexual harrassment, but might the reverse not also be true -- that there was indeed sexual harrassment and even MORE and the company doesn't want that getting out? As it is, the guy is getting some minor punishment. If it came to light it were attempted rape or something, the company would have to can the guy to save face.

"I have noticed in my time here that lately there is a real strangeness associated with this whole notion of just what sexual harassment is in Japan."

I have noticed that too, but probably to the opposite extent you have. I don't consider grabbing a flight attendant's ass on a Japan Airlines flight as 'par for the course' (my ex is a flight attendant and it happens all the time and she said she is advised not to complain). I've noticed that all sorts of people are pressured NOT to complain in such situations, as it causes unnecessary 'hassle'. What's more, when there are incidents of groping, etc., and it IS reported to the police, the women are often pressured to drop it, and if 'worse comes to worst' (in the eyes of the police), they present the women with the ultimatum of taking the guy to court (pressing charges), or accepting a lump sum of compensation money. It's disgusting the hoops people will make these women jump through to avoid addressing the real problems and pursuing those who are actually responsible.

"Different strokes for different folks. I think that sexuality is a large and natural part of the human experience and deserves a bit more pragmatism and things are becoming overly uptight over the last few years."

THAT I can agree with to an extent. I don't like how litigious American society in particular can be, and the fact that you have to tip-toe over broken glass when talking to someone of the opposite sex lest you be accused of sexual harrassment. I don't like being paranoid that someone is going to check where my hands are on a crowded train, etc. I think sex should be celebrated openly, and widely, so to speak, for the natural and wonderful (well, it CAN be) act that it is. But it has to be consensual for BOTH parties, and I think that there is the notion in Japan that men are still dominant and that they can press themselves on women in a number of ways, and it's simply irresponsible thinking.

I applaud this woman for speaking out.

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Haha. SmithinJapan got bit by Muphrey's Law. Any time you criticize someone's grammar mistake, your criticism will contain errors. Or should that be ANYTIME? LOL. Oh well. I find it to be true more often than not.

MichaelJP says this happens all the time. I wonder. Just this morning I was talking to someone about how the TUNNELS guy's daughter is becoming a tarento and how Sanma's daughter is going into the business. Those two fathers would know better than anyone how messed up the business is, but they let their daughters get into showbusiness anyway. Does this observation prove MichaelJP wrong? Comments anyone?

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In one thing I can agree with the ones that see a danger in putting the label of sexual harassment too easy.

In the old days it was enough a slap on the face or a scream or any back reaction from the female. Now they wait few months and then report to police and work.

And why he has to be disciplined at his work place? Apparently the accident was after work hours. If there was attempted rape police has to deal with him!

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If there was attempted rape police has to deal with him!

Lucky for him they didnt - in South Africa you really dont want the police "dealing" with you.

Apparently the accident was after work hours

No such thing in Japanese working culture. And as per my comment above, far better for him that he was dealt with through work.

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1 in 4 South Arican men admit to having raped somebody in their lives. You don't believe that? You ought to google "South Africa rape statistics". He was lucky to have done this in South Africa where, with the appropriate ブライブ, a man can do almost anything he pleases with a woman. Dirty scumbag. It's just another example of a man with little to no pull getting angry at some hot young thing who has the audacity to repel his advances. Was the girl Japanese? There is nothing in the S.A. media aout this. Not that they'd care much, anyway.

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Klein2: "Haha. SmithinJapan got bit by Muphrey's Law. Any time you criticize someone's grammar mistake, your criticism will contain errors. Or should that be ANYTIME?"

Indeed I did, and if you look at my first post criticizing it wasn't the first time either (though I quickly corrected an error). Stupid mistake on my part. Not so much 'Muphrey's' Law though, as it was just plain carelessness. I need to learn to edit.

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Klein2: "Those two fathers would know better than anyone how messed up the business is, but they let their daughters get into showbusiness anyway. Does this observation prove MichaelJP wrong? Comments anyone?"

It proves that the 'hereditary' business is not limited to politics in Japan. Though of course in terms of acting and showbiz the kids of celebs becoming famous is certainly not limited to Japan.

Moderator: Back on topic please.

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"if the girl (woman) feels harassed, then it is sexual harassment"

timeon, so if a relatively ugly guys asks out a relatively hot woman and she didn't like his tone of voice the he is guilty of sexual harassment? That is absurd. No law can automatically give one side all the power and assume they are being truthful let alone meeting the burden of real law.

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It is a harassment if the person continues after being told "no" "stop it."

You like someone at the office, ask them out and are told no. You deal with it and ask the next one. Keep asking said person out-it's harassment. I don't see any confusion here.

You try and succeed or fail, but you don't keep trying.

Moderator: Readers, please stay on topic. Posts that do not refer to the incident mentioned in the story will be removed.

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Yes but it seems like the act of TRYING to hook up has transformed into an act of sexual harassment itself and thats not right. You ask a girl out and she doesnt want to go out, they can report you for sexually harassing them in a lot of places. So I guess the rule is make sure that she wants to do something with you BEFORE you try? But then how do you know if she wants to if you cant TRY as a way to find out?

This guy sexually harassed her by what? trying to get her to come to his hotel room? how is that sexual harassment? what if she had wanted to come in? Is the guy supposed to know that he is not at her level or something and gets punished for having the nerve to ask by being accused of harassment? dont get it....

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bquadry: "You try and succeed or fail, but you don't keep trying."

I don't agree with that, either, depending on HOW you 'keep trying'. If you are drunk and a BAD drunk, as this guy is rumoured to have been, and are haranguing the person, then yes. If you do so in a way that is perceived as threatening by the person in question, then yes to that too. However, there are some instances in which simple persistance does not necessarily imply harrassment in my book, else half of us would never exist (if our parents didn't suck it up after rejection and try again). Again, HOW you ask... not necessarily frequency.

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Japan always wins when he holds the microphone

And in what sport would that be? If the mass media had any moral courage, the wide shows from the other networks would be staking out this guy's home. What about some ambush interviews of his elementary school-aged kids. Even better, what about some priceless footage of this chap in his dressing gown putting out the garbage. Come on Japan, shock and awe.

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netrek, that is exactly right. due to a large amount of people feeling sorry for girls because they were discriminated against, society has given them a sledge to use without recourse. at this point, all a jbird has to do is scream chikan! and the guy is convicted on her word solely. read about it right here just a few weeks ago.

this article is dearth of information so it is hard to know what really happened in south africa. smith has made the leap of faith that since the woman said so and that many j-ossan are KY, then she must have been harassed so we will have to go by his nose on this one I guess ; )

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Can't fault a man for trying to work his Mojo while overseas.

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smithinjapan: Don't worry, let the editing thing go. If you are not a professional, there is no need to do anything but enjoy the ride.

I think the Sanma Tunnels daughters getting into the business says something about sexual harrassment at FujiTV. I think it is topical because Sanma Tunnels both practically built FujiTV. They work there. FujiTV announced their policy, and their kids will work at FujiTV and they are young women. Can't be much more topical than that.

There is certainly nepotism there, but I wonder if their daughters are going to be protected more by the new policy or by the power of their daddies. Sanma in particular is not stupid, so he must believe that his daughter is going to be better protected from the nastiness of the business than women were in his day. Maybe things ARE improving at FujiTV. Sanma would be in a position to know.

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This guy has probably groped her at the door to his room, hoping that she will discover that she enjoys what he is doing and that she will succumb to his drunken, not-so-subtle message.

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Klein2: Things can go nowhere but up. I've met Sanma once (in New York, by chance) and we only chatted for a few seconds in Japanese (they were filming some spoof of Breakfast at Tiffany's on Fifth Avenue), but he seems like a stand up guy. He's one of Japan's long-standing celebrities that I think is really worth his salt, and I sure hope you're right that he's playing an active part in changing things (I have no doubt).

I'm also not trying to suggest that FujiTV is to blame for what the moron in question did in SAfrica, but I DO think they are on damage control. It IS unfortunate timing for them, as the article suggests, and all the more reason this guy be dealt with appropriately (even though it's clearly going to be behind the scenes).

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hakujinsensei: "due to a large amount of people feeling sorry for girls because they were discriminated against, society has given them a sledge to use without recourse."

The sledgehammer that the men you are defending use (and that defense is part of their hammer) is a whole lot bigger, and they get away with a whole lot more.

"at this point, all a jbird has to do is scream chikan! and the guy is convicted on her word solely. read about it right here just a few weeks ago."

Agreed, to an extent, but while you read about that a few weeks ago, there were AT LEAST ten incidents of sexual assault/indecent behaviour reported by men against women. For every false accusation of a woman by a man on a train (some are blatantly false, others are mistakes, or so it seems), there are probably 100 or more unreported incidents. And no, it's not because the woman ENJOYS what's happening, as some men like to suggest, it's because as I mentioned before women are SHAMED at police stations, in courts, or what have you and often pressured to drop the case.

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And for all the people like hakujinsensei suggesting that this is merely people feeling sorry for women (and blaming the victim), where has the accused said he is innocent? He hasn't. On the contrary, others have claimed that the man does indeed 'get out of hand' when intoxicated.

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I guess he took his position as "vice manager" a bit too seriously.

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Tryed to "woo" her.. hmmm, did he touch her? Did he stop her from leaving? I don't see how hitting up on a girl who voluntarily comes to a guys hotel room (a drunk guy to top it off) is sexual harassment.

aw

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"TeSTuo Nagasaka" - a Freudian slip??

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hard to believe some here cant figure out whats what in this case, the drunk oyaji gets the young woman to make sure he gets back to the hotel ok, because he has been boozing, then when she has done a good deed, no doubt done because the giri involved, then the drunk tries to get her in his room, what a total jerk, its pretty easy to infer he did more that just ask her to join him, anyone who has been here for a bit I am sure can picture the whole thing.

Kudos on the woman for turning this jerk in!

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It's good to see women of other countries are not as keen on keeping quiet about such matters. But I am sure it'd have to be more than a "woo" to be anything worth mentioning to the public. If she couldn't just get up and walk away from the situation, then, yeah, it's harassment.

In any case, I am almost surprised not to see any "foreigner causing problems" remarks. Oh wait, is it because he was Japanese and not a "foreigner" like the rest of the world? Good time to turn the tables here.

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It’s an irony that this embarrassing incident took place when Fuji TV has just begun working on corporate compliance.

It's a coincidence but it's not irony.

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Klein2

Those two fathers would know better than anyone how messed up the business is, but they let their daughters get into showbusiness anyway.

Probably these two daughters will not be faced with "sexual-harassment" in the showbusiness because of these powerful and feared fathers ?

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Icewind007: Do we know if the female is not Japanese? The story didn't specify on whether or not she was a foreigner. To Klein2: Keep up the 'bird' talk, and people might just assume you are not such a 'equality for the sexes' kinda dude ...

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1 in 4 South Arican men admit to having raped somebody in their lives. You don't believe that? You ought to google "South Africa rape statistics"

I am painfully aware of the statistics in South Africa. I lived there. Half of my family came from there. However, those statistics actually mask major cultural differences between ethnic groups which are actually off topic for the purposes of this discussion.

I stand by what I said - South African police can be brutal. As I said before, he got off far more lightly being dealt with by his company, not South African law.

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how does attempting to woo a colleague constitute sexual harassment? isn't this more along the lines of intra-office romance? he didn't attempt to rape her so, why did she feel it was necessary to punish him? once she said "no", he relented. it should've ended there. such cry-babies with their nonsense.

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One way "intra-office romance" is sexual harassment.

He didnt or he did try rape...we dont know.

"She" is not trying to punish him, society will punish him.

"cries-baby"...?

"nonsense"...?

Are you sane ?

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he tried unsuccessfully to woo the woman

She didn't file a complaint with the police because a law wasn't broken, right?

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If the facts corresponds, and this accussation is true, Fuji TV should fire him. Japanese companies tend to wash their hands hoping that this matter will fade. This is the reason, bad behavior is accepted and continues in Japan. Fuji TV has no guts.

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Another loser but at least he was drunk. I know some people who without being drunk behave like him and try to make a woman do what they want even if the woman says clearly no. He is a drunk, the others are mental cases. No respect for both types of idiots.

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Upon returning to Japan, this person filed a complaint against Fuji TV and the incident became public.

Well done! She knows how to treat the guys with a dirty mind.

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He must not be an attractive guy, so next time put up some money for thoughs broke chicks. You have to be very careful dealing with young girls these days, there's nothing wrong with a man trying to woo a girl to give up some free sex. The problem is that you risk getting in trouble with desparate money hungry greedy chicks. There's nothing wrong with a guy wanting or trying to get some sex, as long as he dosen't rape or force. People act like touching or hugging a girl in a respectable manner is a crime, its just a matter of nature, but once a girl rejects your sexual advances you gotta let them go.

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Sexual harassment is a civil offense, meaning she'd sue - which she's doing. It's not a criminal offense, so there's no reason why police would be involved.

If your wife's boss say "Hey, I'd love to get my hands on your big jugs!" she'd sue but there would be zero police involvement.

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Gosh! I thought only NHK was full of hentais! I guess I was proven wrong.

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