Japan’s Fuji TV has committed to a sustained effort to roll out measures designed to eradicate sex discrimination and head off a repeat of the Masahiro Nakai sex scandal that has decimated its ad revenues. 

The commitment, issued today, follows the first meeting last week of the external advisory board Fuji TV established in the wake of the scandal.  

The core discussion at the first meeting, chaired by Fuji TV president Kenji Shimizu, centred around policies the company describes as “human rights”. 

One of the advisors, Asako Osaki, said that “incorporating a gender perspective into human rights due diligence – which many Japanese companies lack – will be crucial.

“Going forward, Fuji TV must also recognize the powerful influence media has on shaping social norms. It’s vital to foster employees who can articulate why these human rights initiatives matter – in their own words,” she said. Another advisor, Shigehiro Kato, said that while “Fuji TV already has top-tier talent as a content company”, the company now “needs to clearly signal a shift in strategic talent placement, where leadership also embodies an understanding of ‘business and human rights”. 

“Instead of stopping at disciplinary actions following investigations, the company should transparently disclose significant governance outcomes, fostering staff understanding and actively building systems for redeployment, empowerment, and revitalization – all of which are critical from a human capital management perspective,” he said. 

Akiko Sato told the meeting that “Japan’s human rights efforts still have a long way to go compared to international standards. It will take time for Fuji TV’s initiatives to take root.” 

She added that Fuji TV “has the opportunity to lead by example, moving beyond narrow legal compliance toward globally aligned human rights practices”.