Nakai Masahiro is facing serious backlash after being found guilty of sexual assault and retiring from the entertainment industry.
Late last year, reports surfaced that the former SMAP leader allegedly sexually assaulted a woman in 2023. Japanese media revealed he paid 90 million yen (about $568,101 USD) to an unidentified victim as a lump sum settlement.
An independent third-party panel confirmed Nakai’s guilt, calling the assault a “serious infringement of human rights” that happened “as an extension of her job.”
More details emerged from Japanese outlet Shukan Bunshun. Nakai invited the victim under the guise of a company dinner, but it was actually a private dinner at his home. The victim felt pressured by workplace dynamics to attend and was suspicious after noticing the one-on-one setting and Nakai greeting her in shorts.
After dinner, Nakai drank beer, played old SMAP footage, and shared personal stories. Suddenly, he kissed the victim, leading to the alleged rape.
The victim reported Nakai said to her during the incident:
“Don’t you like sex? Why are you crying?”
The woman escaped and took a cab but didn’t report to police immediately. She has since expressed hoping to reveal the truth to prevent future abuse.
Nakai Masahiro debuted as SMAP’s leader at 16 and had a long career as an idol, actor, TV host, news presenter, and radio personality before retiring amid the scandal.
