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The once-beloved Japanese national idol, Nakai Masahiro, finds himself in murky waters, and not even a costly settlement might keep him out of trouble.
Fuji TV released the findings from a third-party committee looking into Masahiro Nakai’s troubling encounter with a woman, a victim referred to as A-san.
The report, read aloud during a press conference in Tokyo, peeled back layers of a story many had only speculated about.
At the heart of it all?
A series of awkward, rain-soaked text messages and an invitation to Nakai’s private flat—the same one where the pair had once held a BBQ.
In one message, Masahiro Nakai had written, “Rainy day. Feels weird without the others. I’d like to drink, but just the two of us... not sure. What shall we do?”
He followed up with promises of a quiet bar, though the committee later revealed he hadn’t actually tried calling any place.
Instead, he messaged: “Shall we drink at [location]? The same as before. Could be safe, no?”
That “safe place” turned out to be his apartment.
A-san, meanwhile, felt cornered.
According to her, she’d often seen Fuji TV’s senior programming execs bowing to Nakai like underlings.
That imbalance of power made it hard to say no.
What stands out in the committee's findings is a section titled “Limitations of Investigation and Report Disclosure”.
It reveals both parties were asked to partially lift their confidentiality agreements to allow the investigation to proceed.
A-san agreed. Nakai didn’t.
He reportedly refused to comment on anything that happened inside his flat and wouldn’t allow A-san to speak on it either.
The agreement he insists on keeping sealed only covers the time she entered the apartment until she left.
That seems to hint he’s more than happy to have his embarrassing messages made public, but won’t allow any mention of what may have happened behind closed doors.
Rumours say Nakai paid nearly 90 million yen to settle things, but experts warn that doesn’t guarantee legal protection.
Lawyer Kenta Morizane from Morizane Law Office explained: “Even though a settlement was made, it doesn’t automatically mean the case won’t proceed to court. Sexual violence is not a private offence. Prosecutors can still indict based on the evidence available.”
He added, “If indicted and convicted for non-consensual acts, the punishment could be five years or more of imprisonment. That said, a prior settlement could reduce the sentence.”
The report also painted a picture of manipulation. The ex SMAP member allegedly used his status and close ties with Fuji TV execs to coax A-san into a vulnerable situation.
His decision to retire from the entertainment world might have been a strategic move to soften public outrage—or to avoid tougher scrutiny.
But the story isn’t over.
If A-san decides to break the deal or authorities push forward, Nakai Masahiro could be facing criminal charges that would not only erase his polished idol image but mark him permanently.
This case now rests in the hands of the prosecutors.
The settlement may have closed one chapter, but a criminal investigation could open another.
Whether Nakai’s fame will protect him, or the law will finally catch up, remains to be seen.