In light of his sexual misconduct scandal and the fallout from it, Masahiro Nakai has announced that he is retiring from the entertainment industry, effective immediately. His company, Nonbiri Nakai, will also close once its remaining work is finished.
Nakai made the announcement today because he has finished all of his meetings with various television and radio stations regarding the regarding the termination / suspension of his contracts. He is currently holding similar meetings with sponsors.
Of the scandal, he said that he doesn’t believe that he has fulfilled all of his responsibilities, and takes full responsibility for his actions. He added that he will continue to face various issues at hand and comply with investigations in a sincere fashion.
In his final words as a celebrity, Nakai apologized, saying, “I am truly sorry for causing so much trouble and loss to so many people. And once again, I would like to sincerely apologize to the other party. I apologize to all involved parties for the trouble. Once again, I apologize. I am very, very sorry . Thank you for the past 37 years. Farewell.”
Nakai was a member of SMAP from 1988 to 2016, which led to a career an actor in dramas and movies, and as a television host. In February 2020, he established his own company, Nonbiri Nakai. That March, he left his longtime management company, Johnny & Associates.