TOKYO: One of Japan's biggest boy band stars and best-known television hosts announced his retirement on Thursday (Jan 23) after being accused of sexual misconduct, Japanese media reported.

A growing number of top brands are pulling adverts from major Japanese broadcaster Fuji Television over sexual misconduct allegations against a host and

Japan's Fuji Television said it will open an investigation into a high-profile sex scandal linked to one of the country's top celebrities.

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

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.

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.