Photo/Illutration Fuji Television Network Inc.’s headquarters in Tokyo’s Minato Ward on March 27 (Masaaki Kobayashi)

Top executive Hisashi Hieda has resigned as an adviser to scandal-ridden Fuji Television Network Inc. and its parent company, Fuji Media Holdings Inc., both companies announced on March 27.

Fuji TV and FMH have received criticism for their handling of "trouble" involving former TV personality Masahiro Nakai and an unnamed woman in 2023.

Hieda, 87, joined Fuji TV in 1961, when the TV station was in its third year of operation.

In 1980, at the age of 42, Hieda became the head of the programming bureau at a time when viewer ratings remained stagnant.

He created a string of hit variety shows that established Fuji TV’s “golden era.”

In 1988, Hieda became president and later ascended to chairman of the company.

According to sources, while Hieda has exerted his influence by appointing presidents and other personnel after stepping down as chairman in 2017, he was not involved in the handling of the Nakai scandal. 

Sixteen executives at Fuji TV, including Vice Chairman Ryunosuke Endo, have stepped down, as have 10 FMH executives over the botched response.

It is believed that the companies aim to revamp their personnel structure in response to the series of problems.

Fuji TV was aware of the trouble between Nakai and a woman immediately after it occurred in June 2023, but continued to feature Nakai on its programs.

In this regard, the company's governance and corporate culture were also questioned, and criticism of Hieda, who has been involved in the management of the company for about 40 years, increased.

Endo said at a news conference after the problem was reported in weekly magazines in December 2024, “Hieda does not make all the decisions, but there is no doubt that he has influence.”

The third-party committee, which is investigating Fuji TV and FMH’s response to the series of problems, is expected to release its report soon.

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