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

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.

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.

Japan radio and TV stations and companies are suspending advertisements and upcoming episodes of programs featuring Masahiro Nakai, a former

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.

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

SMAP member allegedly engaged in sexual misconduct and Fuji TV is now facing criticism over its handling of the issue.

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

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