Fuji TV Regains 80 Pct of Sponsors, 1 Year On

Tokyo, Jan. 29 (Jiji Press)–Fuji Television Network Inc. has regained about 80 pct of its sponsors who suspended commercials in the wake of a sexual abuse scandal involving former TV star Masahiro Nakai, which led to the resignation of its president about a year ago. In December, the number of Fuji TV’s sponsors recovered to 86 pct of the level a year earlier. The scandal shed light on the company’s governance system. In May, its parent, Fuji Media Holdings Inc., adopted a reform action plan that prioritizes respecting human rights. Following a management renewal, sponsors began to slowly resume commercials in the summer. Fuji TV aims to restore the number of sponsors to pre-scandal levels by this April. In its report, the third-party committee that investigated the scandal criticized the Fuji TV side, saying that harassment-related damage was “rampant” throughout the company. “It’s important to continue reforms,” Fuji Media President Kenji Shimizu has said, adding, “If we continue to make tireless efforts, the entire organization will become healthy.” The broadcaster plans to include compliance with human rights policies in contracts with individuals appearing on its programs. The action plan outlines a strategy to strengthen Fuji Media’s content business through growth investments of 250 billion yen over five years. Meanwhile, the group’s top shareholder, Aya Nomura, the eldest daughter of activist investor Yoshiaki Murakami, and a Murakami-linked investment fund indicated in December that they plan to raise their stake to up to 33.3 pct. They are demanding that Fuji Media separate its real estate business. The group’s management faces the difficult task of rebuilding the group while monitoring situations both inside and outside the company. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]