Fuji TV and its parent company Fuji Media Holdings suffered a direct hit to their performance as advertisers severed ties one after another following the spread of allegations involving sexual bribery targeting famous celebrities.
According to Japanese media including Oricon News on the 31st, Fuji Media Holdings held a board meeting on the 30th and announced a downward revision of its annual performance forecast for the fiscal year ending March 2025 (April 1, 2024 ? March 31, 2025). According to this, the holding company’s sales were slightly revised down from 598.3 billion yen to 548.2 billion yen. In particular, operating profit was revised down by 49% from 35.3 billion yen to 18 billion yen, and net profit was revised down by 66.2% from 29 billion yen to 9.8 billion yen.
Idol group 'SMAP' leader Nakai Masahiro at the center of sexual bribery allegations. Photo by EPA=Yonhap News
Fuji Media Holdings cited the main cause of this downward revision as advertisers suspending their commercials (CMs) on Fuji TV and replacing them with public service advertisements (AC) due to a series of reports surrounding Fuji TV. Fuji TV decided not to charge for previously aired advertisements in order to maintain trust with advertisers and to enable the resumption of advertising orders as soon as possible in the future.
As a result, advertising revenue in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ending March 2025 is expected to decline significantly, and accordingly, Fuji TV’s standalone performance (sales, operating profit, ordinary profit, net profit) is also expected to fall short of forecasts. Advertising revenue forecasts for Fuji TV were all revised downward, including nationwide net time advertisements broadcast during prime time (64.5 billion yen → 53.7 billion yen), local time advertisements targeting specific regions (10 billion yen → 9.5 billion yen), and spot advertisements targeting specific time slots and regions (previously 74 billion yen → 62 billion yen). The total broadcasting revenue, combining these, is expected to decrease by 23.3 billion yen (approximately 22 billion yen) from the previously forecast 148.5 billion yen to 125.2 billion yen.
At a press conference on the 27th, Fuji TV Chairman Kano and President Minato, along with other executives, are making a public apology. Photo by AFP=Yonhap News
The allegations were triggered last year-end when the weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun reported, citing statements from Fuji TV announcers, that an executive of the company was involved in sexual bribery related to the famous celebrity Nakai Masahiro. Nakai, a former leader of the original idol group SMAP, had been actively engaged in broadcasting activities. As the sexual bribery allegations grew, Nakai announced he would resume activities after reaching an agreement with the victim, but eventually retired from the entertainment industry amid escalating controversy.
Fuji TV President Minato held a press conference on the 17th but limited attendees and prohibited video recording. He was also criticized for failing to properly explain the involvement of company executives. It was revealed that despite being aware of the sexual bribery allegations against company executives, Fuji TV continued to feature the celebrity in programs. Following the press conference, major companies including Toyota Motor Corporation, Seven & I Holdings, and Kirin Holdings suspended their advertisements on Fuji TV.
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