TOKYO -- Masahiro Nakai, a former member of the now-defunct idol group SMAP, on Jan. 9 responded over a widely publicized scandal involving a woman, admitting to the trouble and offering an apology.

In a statement published on his website, Nakai, 52, said the incident "was all due to my inadequacies. I apologize to all of you." It is the first time that Nakai has admitted to the dispute following a barrage of media reports.

In mid-December, weekly magazine "Josei Seven" reported that Nakai had gotten into "serious trouble" with a woman. Later that month, the "Shukan Bunshun" weekly magazine reported that Nakai had paid 90 million yen (approx. $570,000) in settlement money to a woman in the entertainment business over a dispute. The series of media reports have caused widespread repercussions across the showbiz and business communities, with many broadcasters suspending programs hosted by Nakai and companies refraining from airing commercials featuring him.

Nakai had earlier released a comment on Dec. 27 on a paid membership website, saying, "I am sorry for causing great trouble," apparently with the series of reports over the scandal in mind. However, he had not directly referred to the incident nor admitted to a dispute.

In his statement released on Jan. 9, Nakai clarified that "the case has been resolved following a settlement through attorneys for both parties." He continued, "I sincerely faced up to proposals made by the other party and responded to them. ... With the settlement reached, I am able to continue my entertainment activities without issue going forward."

Regarding why the latest comment was released at this point, he stated, "I was refraining from sending out a message due to confidentiality obligations associated with the settlement with the other party." Meanwhile, he denied inflicting any violence, as was reported by some media, or any involvement of third parties other than those concerned.

TV Asahi Corp. announced on the evening of Jan. 9 that it will suspend a program hosted by Nakai for the time being. The broadcaster's public relations department commented, "As there are some unclear points about the truth of this situation, we will suspend the program for the time being, and will decide on the compilation of programs after that."

(Japanese original by Ryotaro Nishimoto and Misaki Morokuma, Cultural News Department)

The following is the full text of the statement released by Nakai on Jan. 9. The original statement was written in Japanese.

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Apology

I am very sorry for causing trouble to everyone.

Some of the information reported by the media is not true, and I am very sorry to the other party and all those concerned.

I was refraining from sending out a message due to confidentiality obligations associated with the settlement with the other party.

As I have caused others pain in many ways in my own activities, I would like to explain to the extent possible.

It is true that I had gotten into trouble.

It is also true that the matter has been resolved following a settlement through attorneys for both parties.

Over the course of the settlement, I sincerely faced up to proposals made by the other party and responded to them.

In relation to this trouble, there was no violence, such as by raising my hand as reported by some media.

With the settlement reached, I am able to continue my entertainment activities without issue going forward.

There was no involvement of parties other than those concerned in this case.

Here are my closing words.

This dispute is all due to my inadequacies.

The other party is involved in this case.

I respectfully request that you refrain from prying into the matter based on conjectures or making slanderous statements regarding this matter.

I extend my deepest apologies to all of you.

I am truly sorry.

Jan. 9, 2025

Masahiro Nakai, Nonbiri Nakai

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*Nonbiri Nakai is the name of Nakai's agency.