Japanese National Idol Apologizes for Sexual Assault Controversy, Says "Agreement Reached, Resuming Activities"

Sexual Assault of Woman in Her 20s at Drinking Party
"Agreement Reached... No Issues with Entertainment Activities"
"Please Refrain from Speculation and Slander... Sincere Apologies"

A member of a famous Japanese idol group has been embroiled in a sexual crime controversy and expressed his intention to resume entertainment activities, claiming to have reached an agreement with the victim.

On the 9th, Masahiro Nakai (53), a singer and broadcaster and former leader of SMAP, posted an apology regarding the recent sexual crime controversy. He said, "I am very sorry for causing concern to everyone because of this incident," but also stated, "There are parts of the reports that are not true. I deeply regret this for those involved."

Masahiro Nakai, former member of the group SMAP. X

He continued, "Until now, I refrained from speaking in order to maintain confidentiality to resolve the issue between me and the other party. I will speak within the limits I can." He explained, "It is true that there was a problem, but it is also true that an agreement regarding the incident has been completed through representatives of both sides. Contrary to some reports, there was no violence such as raising hands." He added, "Since the agreement has been reached, I will be able to continue my entertainment activities without any problems. No one other than the parties involved is connected to this incident." He bowed his head and said, "This incident happened entirely because of my shortcomings. I ask for restraint from speculation and slander, and I sincerely apologize."

The incident became known after the Japanese media Weekly Bunshun reported an interview with a woman in her 20s, the victim, on the 30th of last month. The woman, identified as A, stated, "I was sexually assaulted at a drinking party with Masahiro and became pregnant," and added, "He pressured me to have an abortion and gave me 90 million yen (about 830 million KRW). I believe there are other victims besides me." Initially, it was a gathering of three people including Fuji TV programming executive B, but B was absent, and it is known that Masahiro and A drank alone. This led to speculation locally that A was a former announcer who had left Fuji TV.

As the controversy erupted, Masahiro's lawyer partially admitted to delivering the settlement money, but Masahiro himself did not make a direct statement and withdrew from all programs he was appearing on. Afterwards, by posting an apology and mentioning that the agreement was completed, he made resuming activities a foregone conclusion. However, some netizens criticized him with comments such as "I hope he never appears on TV again," "This is too shocking," and "I am ashamed to have been a fan before."