Masahiro Nakai, one of Japan's top TV hosts and a former pop star, says he is retiring to take responsibility over sexual assault allegations.

Japanese TV host Masahiro Nakai, one of the country's most recognisable faces on television, announced on Thursday that he was retiring after a sexual assault allegation that has rocked the country's entertainment industry.

Nakai’s decision came following reports that he engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with a woman that led to a settlement with the victim.

One of Japan’s biggest pop stars and best-known TV hosts, Masahiro Nakai, announced his retirement Thursday, Jan. 23, over sexual misconduct allegations, reports said, in the latest scandal to rock Japan’s entertainment industry.

Masahiro Nakai, a TV host who was a member of the former pop group SMAP and is embroiled in a sexual misconduct scandal, said Thursda

Masahiro Nakai said he has completed all discussions “regarding my termination, cancellation, removal and contract annulment.”

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.

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.

One of the most popular faces in Japan, TV host and popstar Masahiro Nakai, has announced his retirement amid sexual assault allegations that has rocked the country's entertainment industry. Nakai was accused of sexually assaulting a woman at a 2023 dinner party held by the staff of Fuji Television.