Fuji TV apologizes for trouble between actors on drama set

On the 7th, Fuji Television released a document apologizing for the trouble that arose between a male actor and a female actor on the set of a drama, saying, ``We have not been able to restore the relationship between the parties, and we deeply apologize for the tremendous burden and worry that has been caused.''

According to the station, discussions were held between the male and female actors and the producers during filming, and at the request of the female actors, an agreement was reached that prior consent would be required if the performance involved a certain amount of physical contact. However, the man later visited the woman's dressing room and said, ``If you put restrictions on physical contact with your partner, then you shouldn't continue working as an actor.''

In response, the bureau asked an outside lawyer to investigate. The opinion was expressed that the man's words and actions "put a psychological burden on the woman beyond what she could tolerate" and amounted to harassment.

Weekly Bunshun reported in its issue released on the 2nd that Jiro Sato (57) had harassed Ai Hashimoto (30). Sato's office issued a statement saying, ``No evidence of harassment has been confirmed.''