TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The president of Fuji Television Network Inc. apologized Friday over allegations it was involved in a sexual misconduct scandal involving Japanese TV host Masahiro Nakai, best known as a member of the now-defunct pop group SMAP, and a woman.

Koichi Minato, who also announced the establishment of a new investigation panel led by lawyers, said that while the network was aware of the incident in June 2023, it was not disclosed as "we prioritized the woman's physical and mental recovery as well as the protection of her privacy, considering it a highly sensitive matter."

"We apologize for not being able to provide explanations earlier," Minato said at a press conference, the broadcaster's first since media reports emerged last month that its employee had arranged the meal where Nakai met the woman.

According to the Shukan Bunshun weekly magazine, what was planned as a dinner in June 2023 with Fuji TV employees ended up with only Nakai and the woman present, leading to nonconsensual sexual activity and a 90 million yen ($579,000) out-of-court settlement.

Minato declined to comment on the magazine's criticism of the network's handling of the situation with the woman, citing the investigation to which he himself would also be subjected.

The TV broadcaster denied involvement in the incident, stating that the employee in question neither arranged nor was aware of the meal. But it said the matter would be "entrusted to the investigation committee for further review."

Fuji TV's first monthly press conference for the year was initially scheduled for late February, but it was urgently brought forward to Friday following growing calls by reporters.