Female TV Announcer Sues TBS-Affiliated Station Over On-Set Sexual Harassment: ‘I’m Risking My Life to Seek Justice’
October 3, 2025 — Tokyo
A female freelance television announcer has filed a lawsuit against i-Television, a TBS network affiliate based in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, seeking approximately 41 million yen (about $270,000) in damages. She alleges that the station failed to protect her from repeated sexual harassment by male co-stars during the filming of a variety show.
The first hearing in the case was held October 3 at the Tokyo District Court, presided over by Judge Izumi Yoshikawa.
In her courtroom statement, the plaintiff said:
“In a situation with no escape, I was suddenly subjected to sexual abuse, mocked as a spectacle, and forced to endure the unbearable humiliation of having it broadcast to the public. It is an experience I can never forget.”
⸻
PTSD and Severe Depression
According to the complaint, the variety program ran from April 2016 to March 2022. While serving as host, the woman says she was subjected to repeated sexually explicit remarks and obscene acts by intoxicated celebrities and even Buddhist monks appearing on the show, with the station tolerating such conduct.
As a result, she has been diagnosed with severe depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), leaving her unable to work. Although she previously petitioned Japan’s Broadcasting Ethics and Program Improvement Organization (BPO), the body did not recognize a human rights violation. In June, she decided to sue, claiming the station had failed in its duty of care to ensure her safety.
⸻
“Many Others Have Experienced the Same”
At the hearing, the announcer testified from behind a screen shielding her from the gallery. Her voice cracked at times, and she broke into tears, but she described her experience firmly:
“On the set and in the broadcast, my rights as a worker were not protected. I was repeatedly subjected to relentless sexual harassment by male performers and staff, until my mind and body broke down and I was forced to quit the show. Trapped in a closed space, surrounded only by men, suddenly abused, mocked, and humiliated in front of the public — it is an unbearable trauma I will never forget.”
She added that her case reflects a broader, systemic issue in the industry:
“There are many people in the media and entertainment world who have experienced what I went through. In a weak position, constantly under the pressure that without being chosen they will lose their livelihood, many are forced to remain silent. There are truly countless people enduring this. I have decided to risk my life and bring this lawsuit so that this cycle can finally end.”
When contacted, i-Television said the responsible staff member was unavailable for comment.
(Reported by Kenshin Tsukada)
Now the TBS board would do a closed press conference and not take any questions
As someone who lives here I’m equally tired of this bullshit. It’s arguably not as bad as 15-20 years ago, but once in a while you still see some ridiculously inappropriate shit on the variety shows here.
Does this mean her experience was broadcasted? Or does this imply behind the scenes issues?
Anyone have any of the examples she’s talking about?
5 comments
Female TV Announcer Sues TBS-Affiliated Station Over On-Set Sexual Harassment: ‘I’m Risking My Life to Seek Justice’
October 3, 2025 — Tokyo
A female freelance television announcer has filed a lawsuit against i-Television, a TBS network affiliate based in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, seeking approximately 41 million yen (about $270,000) in damages. She alleges that the station failed to protect her from repeated sexual harassment by male co-stars during the filming of a variety show.
The first hearing in the case was held October 3 at the Tokyo District Court, presided over by Judge Izumi Yoshikawa.
In her courtroom statement, the plaintiff said:
“In a situation with no escape, I was suddenly subjected to sexual abuse, mocked as a spectacle, and forced to endure the unbearable humiliation of having it broadcast to the public. It is an experience I can never forget.”
⸻
PTSD and Severe Depression
According to the complaint, the variety program ran from April 2016 to March 2022. While serving as host, the woman says she was subjected to repeated sexually explicit remarks and obscene acts by intoxicated celebrities and even Buddhist monks appearing on the show, with the station tolerating such conduct.
As a result, she has been diagnosed with severe depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), leaving her unable to work. Although she previously petitioned Japan’s Broadcasting Ethics and Program Improvement Organization (BPO), the body did not recognize a human rights violation. In June, she decided to sue, claiming the station had failed in its duty of care to ensure her safety.
⸻
“Many Others Have Experienced the Same”
At the hearing, the announcer testified from behind a screen shielding her from the gallery. Her voice cracked at times, and she broke into tears, but she described her experience firmly:
“On the set and in the broadcast, my rights as a worker were not protected. I was repeatedly subjected to relentless sexual harassment by male performers and staff, until my mind and body broke down and I was forced to quit the show. Trapped in a closed space, surrounded only by men, suddenly abused, mocked, and humiliated in front of the public — it is an unbearable trauma I will never forget.”
She added that her case reflects a broader, systemic issue in the industry:
“There are many people in the media and entertainment world who have experienced what I went through. In a weak position, constantly under the pressure that without being chosen they will lose their livelihood, many are forced to remain silent. There are truly countless people enduring this. I have decided to risk my life and bring this lawsuit so that this cycle can finally end.”
When contacted, i-Television said the responsible staff member was unavailable for comment.
(Reported by Kenshin Tsukada)
Now the TBS board would do a closed press conference and not take any questions
As someone who lives here I’m equally tired of this bullshit. It’s arguably not as bad as 15-20 years ago, but once in a while you still see some ridiculously inappropriate shit on the variety shows here.
Does this mean her experience was broadcasted? Or does this imply behind the scenes issues?
Anyone have any of the examples she’s talking about?
Comments are closed.