A recent sexual misconduct scandal involving former TV host Masahiro Nakai has shed light on the broader issues of gender inequality and mistreatment in the Japanese television industry. The case has exposed how female announcers, known as “joshi-ana” (girl announcers), have been objectified and used inappropriately in the workplace, particularly in relation to their roles at corporate gatherings with sponsors.
Reports have emerged suggesting that female announcers were often used as “bait” at these events, with their presence exploited to secure contracts and boost sponsor relationships. Two women, one in her 40s and the other in her 20s, both with experience as local TV station announcers, spoke out about their experiences to the Mainichi Shimbun, revealing how they were treated during their careers.
On January 27, Fuji Television Network Inc. President Koichi Minato resigned, admitting that the company had failed to address serious human rights and compliance issues regarding its treatment of women. He also acknowledged that despite the company’s awareness of problems involving Nakai, his continued presence on TV programs demonstrated a “lack of awareness of human rights.”
Weekly magazines reported a culture where female announcers were expected to entertain male media personalities during gatherings with sponsors, a practice that many found deeply troubling. While Minato defended these gatherings as part of the team-building process, a female announcer in her 40s, who had worked for 15 years at a local TV station, found the explanation unconvincing. She recalled being invited to such events several times a year, often under the pretext that the sponsors were her fans.
Initially believing that attending these events might open up more work opportunities, she began to feel uncomfortable with the situation. She began to suspect that her presence was being used as a tool to secure contracts, with conversations often revolving around commercials and sponsorship deals.
In one particularly disturbing instance, a sponsor touched her waist, but the station staff present appeared oblivious and took no action. “I didn’t like it, but I wasn’t in a position to say ‘stop,’ and I worried about causing trouble for the staff there so I didn’t tell them, either,” she recalled. “I saw it as part of the job and felt it was up to me to protect myself.”
This scandal has sparked wider conversations about the treatment of women in Japan’s entertainment industry, highlighting the need for greater awareness of gender equality, human rights, and workplace safety.
