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Fuji TV announced during a press conference held on Jan 27, 2025, that Koichi Minato has stepped down as president, following a scandal involving former SMAP member and TV host Masahiro Nakai.
Kenji Shimizu, an executive producer known for his work on iconic anime titles such as Dragon Ball Z, Yu Yu Hakusho, and GeGeGe no Kitaro, will take over the role.
The resignation of Shuji Kano, chairman of Fuji Media Holdings Inc., Fuji TV’s parent company, was also confirmed at the press conference.
During the press conference, Shimizu made a strong statement saying, “The channel will never tolerate acts that violate human rights. We will implement measures to prevent similar incidents and conduct an independent investigation into the facts.”
The incoming president also underlined the importance of gaining back the trust of Fuji TV’s partners, admitting that the network will be starting from zero.
The scandal in question came to light in December, involving allegations of nonconsensual activity by Nakai in June 2023.
Reports at the time indicated that a Fuji TV programming official was involved in arranging the meeting where the incident occurred, although the network denied employee involvement.
Backlash intensified as it was revealed Minato allowed Nakai to continue appearing on programs for 18 months after learning of the allegations. The controversy also extended to reports that senior Fuji TV officials required female presenters to attend gatherings to entertain celebrities.
Nakai announced his retirement from the entertainment industry on Jan 23, 2025, and several advertisers have since pulled their sponsorships from Fuji TV.
In light of these revelations, other Japanese networks, including TBS and NTV, announced investigations into whether similar incidents occurred within their organizations.
Kenji Shimizu’s Appointment and Anime Industry Legacy
Kenji Shimizu’s appointment has sparked widespread speculation about Fuji TV’s programming direction, particularly in anime.
With a distinguished career producing major anime, Shimizu is viewed by many as a figure who could bolster Fuji TV’s anime offerings.
Public reaction has been mixed, with fans expressing optimism about the potential for an expanded anime lineup. However, some fans also remained cautious, citing the circumstances surrounding the leadership change.
It is interesting to not that Shimizu’s appointment aligns with Fuji TV’s recent efforts to revitalize its anime programming.
In December 2024, the network announced a significant change to its popular late-night anime block, Noitamina. Beginning in April 2025, the block will shift to an 11:00 PM timeslot, marking the first time in its 20-year history that it will air before midnight.
The first title to air in this earlier slot will be Nazotoki wa Dinner no Ato de (The After-Dinner Mysteries).
With Shimizu at the helm, Fuji TV’s increased focus on anime is expected to accelerate, raising the possibility of a return to the network’s dominance in anime broadcasting.
Source: Oricon
