Fuji TV apologizes to Sato Jiro and Hashimoto Ai and details failures in the production of controversial drama
The television network Fuji TV released an updated statement on Tuesday (7) to clarify recent reports about the filming of its April drama series, titled “Fufu Besseki Keiji”. The broadcaster detailed the sequence of problems that occurred and expressed regret at the spread of attacks and slander against people involved on social media platforms.
On the same date, Fuji TV published a document entitled “Clarifications on the Production of Our Drama” on its official portal. The company publicly apologized, stating that, as a result of various news and posts on social media, there was a spread of defamation and misleading information, causing “great burden and suffering” to the two main actors in the work.
The official statement detailed the chronology of events, justifying that “to avoid further secondary damage, we believe it is essential to accurately present the facts and actions of our company in this case.” The clarifications were organized into specific sections, such as “Verification and sharing before participation”, “Communication and adjustment of considerations during recordings” and “Posterior environmental adjustments and treatment of those involved”.
The release confirmed that the production team was informed by the actress that her conditions for participating included the need for “prior consultation for kissing or sex scenes, with the participation of an intimacy coordinator.” This protocol, increasingly common in the global industry to guarantee the well-being of artists, was central to the negotiation. When questioning whether these considerations should be shared with the actor, the actress’ agency indicated that the decision would be up to Fuji TV. Therefore, the producer communicated the situation to the actor’s agent. However, the actor’s agency expressed its preference not to inform the artist directly, claiming that “his high commitment to the drama could be affected if he became aware of these details”, and Fuji TV complied with this guidance.
The broadcaster categorically refuted the news that it itself was concerned about supposed physical contact not foreseen in the script, which occurred between the actors in a scene inside a vehicle. In the document, the company explained that “the actress involved did not interpret the actor’s contact at that time as sexual harassment.” Furthermore, Fuji TV reiterated that, considering the artist’s perspective, it also “did not classify the actor’s interaction as sexual harassment.”
The text detailed, however, an interaction in the dressing room that Fuji TV classified as harassment. After the actor was advised on how to take care of his colleague and both agreed on the limits for physical contact that required prior permission, he visited the actress’ dressing room alone to discuss his views on the profession. The statement highlights that “the actor’s unexpected visit, together with the nature and intensity of his speech, caused a great shock to the actress, who cried incessantly for a period.”
The broadcaster declared that it “seriously accepts the severe criticisms about our performance as a producer in this case, ranging from the exchange of information between those involved, the validation and adequacy of precautions, to decisions about the continuity of filming.” Fuji TV recognized its responsibility to “lessen participants’ psychological stress and ensure a safe working environment.” The company regretted not being able to “adequately reduce the burden on those involved, nor reestablish the relationship between the parties.” The statement concludes with a request for forgiveness, reiterating the “profound apology” to the two protagonists, to whom he had already apologized individually, for the “immense burden and suffering” caused.
The controversy surrounding the drama gained prominence after the portal “Bunshun Online” reported, on the 1st, that Sato Jiro, the main actor, had committed acts of harassment against a co-star. Sato Jiro’s agency, in turn, presented its version of the facts and contested the article, stating that it “cannot, in any way, accept the content of what was published”. Sato Jiro himself spoke out on his social media, writing: “I sincerely pray that the day will come when many ‘truths’ come to light.”
On the 2nd, Fuji TV had also released a statement about the “Bunshun” report. At the time, the broadcaster confirmed that “it is true that we issued a strict warning about behavior during recordings and required measures to prevent future occurrences.” The company further clarified that “it does not consider the moment in which the actor touched the actress’s face during filming to be problematic.” The issue raised by the investigation by external lawyers, according to Fuji TV, was “the words spoken by the actor, aware of the restrictions on the actress’ performance.”
The series in question, which had Sato Jiro and Hashimoto Ai as protagonists, premiered on April 14th. The production, described as a mystery drama that mixes elements of comedy and investigation, with intricate plots and complex character emotions behind a comedic detective story facade, ended its season on June 23.
