In response to reports of a Fuji Television Network Inc. employee's alleged involvement in a scandal surrounding entertainer Masahiro Nakai,

TOKYO (AP) — Dozens of major Japanese companies have pulled their commercials on Fuji Television amid allegations company officials tried to cover up a sex scandal involving one of the country’s most famous TV hosts.

Observers say the former boy band member’s fall from grace echoes music mogul Johnny Kitagawa’s decades of sexual abuse.

Tokyo Broadcasting Television Inc. (TBS) on Jan. 20 said it will scrap a regular TV program featuring Masahiro Nakai, the celebrity entertainer caught up in a sex scandal.

Nakai, 52, reportedly paid a woman $791,000 after she alleged sexual misconduct. Read more at straitstimes.com.

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The president of Fuji Television Network apologized Friday over allegations it was involved in a sexual misconduct scandal involving Japanese TV host Masahiro Nakai, best known as a member of the now-defunct pop group SMAP, and a woman.

Dozens of major companies, including Nissan and Toyota, have withdrawn ads from Fuji TV following a sex scandal.

Nintendo has become the latest company to pull its advertising from a major Japanese broadcaster, after reports of a sex scandal involving the former frontman of a popular boyband and a female employee.

Japanese TV network Fuji faces mass advertiser exodus after allegations of covering up sexual assault claims against host Masahiro Nakai of SMAP fame.

Major sponsors such as carmakers Nissan and Toyota and the owner of 7-Eleven announced they were pulling ads from Fuji TV over the scandal.