Disturbing Text Messages Leading Up To Former Boy Group Member’s Sex Crime Exposed
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New details have emerged about a former boy group member’s sex crime, which he was found guilty of earlier this month.
Nakai Masahiro is a former member of SMAP, a legendary J-Pop group that was active from 1988 to 2016. Masahiro debuted as SMAP’s leader at age 16 and went on to become a successful idol, actor, TV host, news presenter, and radio personality.
In December of 2024, Japanese media reported that Nakai allegedly paid 90 million yen (approximately $568,101 USD) as a lump sum to an unidentified woman for sexual misconduct that took place in 2023.
An independent third-party panel later determined that Nakai had sexually assaulted the victim, who was subjected to a “serious infringement of human rights” that occurred “as an extension of her job.” Furthermore, the panel found that the top executives of Fuji Television “lacked understanding of sexual violence and showed insufficient concern for helping the victim.” Prior to this report, Nakai announced his decision to retire from the entertainment industry.
As of today, I will retire from entertainment activities. I have completed all discussions with TV stations, radio broadcasters and sponsors regarding my termination, cancellation, removal and contract annulment.
I will continue to face up to all problems sincerely and respond in a wholehearted manner. I alone am responsible for everything.
— Nakai Masahiro
On April 8, TBS News revealed text messages from Nakai that were sent before the sexual assault. On May 28, 2023, Nakai texted a Fuji TV programming executive on a chat app about an upcoming gathering, saying, “It’s boring if it’s just guys. I wonder if some Fuji TV announcer can come.” In response, the executive wrote, “I think I’ll try asking [full name of the female victim].”
Two days later, the victim, a female announcer, received an invitation to the gathering from Nakai. In the email, he wrote, “How about dinner tonight? I’m inviting members,” giving her the impression that it would be a group social event, not a dinner with just the two of them. Later on, however, Nakai told her that the others wouldn’t be coming.
Maybe it’s because of the rain, but the other members are not very forthcoming. I want to drink, but it’s just the two of us. What should we do? A restaurant. I’m not sure, but I’ll look for one.
— Nakai Masahiro
Nakai later confessed, during the hearing of the third-party committee, that this was a lie. “I didn’t invite the other members,” he told them, “and I wasn’t looking for a restaurant.” After telling the victim that he would look for a restaurant, he invited her over to his apartment instead.
If a big name in the entertainment industry, who I work with, asked me to go, I had no choice but to go. I was worried that if I refused, it would affect my work.
— Victim
After the sexual assault, which took place at Nakai’s apartment, the victim suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, which contributed to her exit from the company in 2024. The third-party committee that investigated the sexual assault also found that this was not Nakai’s first offense; he had sexually harassed another female announcer during a meeting that took place in a hotel suite in 2021.
Former Boy Group Member’s Past Sexual Misconduct Uncovered During A Recent Investigation
