The spiralling controversy involves Masahiro Nakai, the 52-year-old media personality who was the leader of defunct male idol group Smap, and mainstream broadcaster Fuji Television. It also highlights the growing role that foreign activist shareholders are playing in compelling change in stuffy Japanese boardrooms.

The 10-hour briefing that ended at around 2am on Tuesday sought to begin rebuilding a reputation tarnished by the Masahiro Nakai scandal.

Chairman Shuji Kano and television President Koichi Minato quit on Monday, weeks after broadcaster Masahiro Nakai was accused of sexual assault, sparking a public relations storm and a mass exit of sponsors.

The chairman and president of Japan’s Fuji Television resigned Monday, weeks after a celebrity presenter was accused of sexual assault, causing a public relations storm and the mass exit of advertisers.

Fuji TV's Chairman and President have resigned over the handling of the sexual misconduct scandal involving TV presenter Masahiro Nakai.

The scandal centres around TV host and J-pop megastar Masahiro Nakai, 52, who a leading tabloid magazine said carried out a sexual act without a woman's consent in 2023.