TOKYO (TR) – Fuji Media Holdings (HD) announced on November 7 that director Michiyo Yasuda has resigned, effective immediately, after the company confirmed multiple instances of inappropriate expense reports, reports the Nikkei Shimbun (Nov. 7).
Yasuda also resigned as a director of Fuji Television, a subsidiary of Fuji Media Holdings, effective the same day.
An investigation was conducted by the Audit and Supervisory Committee, which was chaired by an outside director of Fuji Media Holdings, after an internal check in September uncovered suspected inappropriate expense reports. The results of the investigation were announced in the last week of October.
Since 2020, sixty instances of inappropriate expense reports totaling approximately 1 million yen for dining expenses and merchandise purchases have been confirmed.
Yasuda has been involved in corporate planning at Fuji Television since 2021. He has admitted to the inappropriate reports, expressed his intention to repay the money and submitted his resignation as director on November 7.
“It’s extremely regrettable”
Yasuda joined Fuji Television in 1992 and worked in the News Department. He became a director at Fuji Television in March 2025 and a director of Fuji Media HD in June.
Inappropriate accounting practices have continued since he became a director in March. Fuji Media HD president Kenji Shimizu, who also serves as president of Fuji TV, responded to reporters at the company’s headquarters in Minato Ward on November 7. “This is completely unacceptable. It’s extremely regrettable,” Shimizu said.
Even after his resignation, the number of directors will remain in compliance with laws and regulations and the company’s articles of incorporation. Shimizu said, “We are not considering replacing [them] anytime soon.”
Following the sexual misconduct issues between former talent Masahiro Nakai and former staff member that surfaced earlier this year, Fuji Media HD and Fuji TV have been working to prevent recurrence and improve governance. Expense accounting guidelines were fully implemented in June, requiring confirmation that records of pre-approved meetings, such as the number of participants, are accurate.
