TOKYO (TR) – In the world of Japanese tabloids, a man experiencing what is called a josei toraburu (“woman problem”) means he has probably engaged in affair or, worse, is under investigation for sexual assault.
For Masahiro Nakai, a former member of the boy band SMAP and television personality, it is not clear what led to his current trouble with a woman, but his employers in the entertainment industry are likely taking notice, reports Nikkan Gendai (Dec. 28).
The situation began last year. Weekly tabloid Josei Seven (Jan. 9) says Nakai, 52, was one of three people scheduled to attend a dinner party. However, one of the persons — not Nakai — could not attend, leaving the star and an unnamed woman in the entertainment industry alone.
What happened next is not clear. However, Nakai compensated the woman a reported 90 million yen. In Shukan Bunshun (Jan. 2-9), the victim called Nakai the “perpetrator.” She said, “I have not forgiven him, and I also feel angry.”
“The variety shows are not covering this issue at all”
Nakai appears in a long list of television programs.
Among them are “Masahiro Nakai’s Friday Smiles” on TBS and Nippon TV’s “The! World’s Most Shocking News.” He is also featured in end-of-year specials, such as “Nakai’s Window Revival SP” on Nippon TV and TV Tokyo’s “Entertainment World All-Star Amateur Baseball.”
For 2025, the first broadcast of his signature program “Dareka to Nakai” on Fuji TV is scheduled for January 12, whereby he will team up with 44-year-old Junichi Okada, who was announced as the new MC.
“The variety shows are not covering this issue at all,” a commercial broadcasting source tells Gendai. “However, this topic is all over social media right now. It is inevitable that the companies sponsoring the programs will ask the TV stations to respond.”
Softbank, which features Nakai in its commercials, is taking action. According to Gendai, a certain television station will “replace” Nakai’s “Peitoku Tencho” commercial with other content.
“Softbank’s sense of crisis is conveyed by their quick response,” the commercial source adds.
There are also reports that filming of Softbank’s new commercials featuring Nakai have been cancelled. Nikkan Gendai asked Softbank about the replacing of the commercial featuring Nakai, upcoming filming and Naka7’s reported “woman problem.”
In response, the company said, “We are not disclosing [information about] upcoming commercials. We are also not in a position to comment on this report.”
