WEB DESK
Japanese television personality Nakai Masahiro has announced he is retiring from show business in the wake of a scandal involving a woman.
Nakai issued a statement on Thursday through his fan club website.
He said he is retiring as of this day, but does not believe he has fulfilled all his responsibilities. He promised to face up to various problems seriously and to respond to them with sincerity.
It was reported last month that Nakai got into trouble with the woman in 2023, and that he paid her settlement money. He admitted this month that there had been trouble.
In the statement, Nakai said he as an individual is responsible for everything, and he apologizes from his heart to the other party.
Nakai, who was born in Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture, rose to fame as a member of the idol group SMAP, one of Japan’s most beloved music and television acts. After the group disbanded in 2016, Nakai continued his career as a variety show host, gaining popularity as a solo entertainer.
He became independent in 2020, following his departure from Johnny and Associates Inc., the talent agency that managed him.
While Nakai stated that he had reached a settlement with the woman involved in the incident and that the matter had reached conclusion, the full details remain unclear. His lawyer emphasized that the specifics of the situation are confidential between the parties.