Former SMAP leader Masahiro Nakai has recently been embroiled in a sexual misconduct scandal, which has also implicated Fuji TV in an alleged "sexual tribute" system involving its female announcers. This controversy has led to a public boycott of Fuji TV, with numerous companies and sponsors withdrawing their advertisements, severely impacting the broadcaster.
Today (January 27), Fuji TV held a press conference to address the scandal surrounding Masahiro Nakai and the internal issues involving its staff. During the conference, it was announced that President Hiroshi Minato and Chairman Shuji Kano have resigned, with current Senior Managing Director Kenji Shimizu appointed as the new president.
The new president, Kenji Shimizu, is a prominent figure deeply rooted in the animation industry, having previously served as Senior Managing Director. He has been involved in the production and planning of classic anime titles such as "Dr. Slump," "Dragon Ball," "Chibi Maruko-chan," "GeGeGe no Kitaro," "Yu Yu Hakusho," "Hunter x Hunter (1999)," and "Kochikame." Shimizu is an indispensable figure in Fuji TV's animation history.
The news quickly sparked heated discussions across Japanese social media. Some netizens expressed excitement, stating: "If Kenji Shimizu becomes president, I hope Fuji TV will prioritize anime more, maybe even bring it back to prime time." Another commented, "Kenji Shimizu is a legendary producer from Fuji TV's animation golden age! Switching from comedy show veteran Hiroshi Minato to anime expert Kenji Shimizu means Fuji is looking to reclaim its anime glory." Yet another added, "Kenji Shimizu taking over? This is clearly aimed at bringing back us Showa-era anime fans!"
Others optimistically speculated: "Fuji's new president is Kenji Shimizu, does this mean more anime broadcast slots? I hope they'll air them at times when younger generations can watch."
However, alongside the excitement, some concerns also surfaced: "The scandal's impact might affect anime's image, which will be a challenge for him." Another user remarked, "The 90s were indeed Fuji's anime heyday, but for the person who created that glory to take over as president at the worst possible time, it really makes you sweat." And humorously, "With Kenji Shimizu as president, Fuji TV isn't actually going to become an anime channel, is it?"
Despite the buzz around the new president, Fuji TV's previous announcement of forming a third-party investigation committee into Masahiro Nakai's sexual misconduct scandal has failed to satisfy the public. It appears the resentment from both the Japanese public and corporations towards Fuji TV has reached a critical point. Perhaps it will truly be up to the new president to find a way to turn the tide.