By CHIHO YASHIRO/ Staff Writer
January 29, 2025 at 16:00 JST
Longtime talk show host Hiroshi Ikushima has been removed from his two morning shows on TBS Radio for sexually harassing and abusing power over staff members.
In a statement released on Jan. 27, TBS Radio Inc. said that Ikushima, 74, committed a grave violation of the TBS Group’s human rights policy.
Ikushima’s agency announced his suspension from media appearances on the same day.
Ikushima posted his own statement on the agency’s website as well, admitting to sharing an obscene image that female staff members pointed out was offensive.
He also acknowledged verbally abusing staff members during the live morning shows.
“I deeply regret my serious lack of awareness regarding workplace harassment,” he said.
The cancellation of the 27-year-old programs has sent shock waves through the broadcasting community.
The revelation comes amid a similar controversy involving another celebrity, Masahiro Nakai, who announced his retirement following sexual misconduct allegations at Fuji Television Network Inc.
TBS Radio said it learned of Ikushima’s misconduct recently, independently from TBS Television’s internal investigation launched in the wake of Nakai’s scandal.
A household name in Japan, Ikushima joined TBS in 1976, establishing himself as a news anchor before leaving the broadcaster to become independent in 1989.
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