Entertainment · TV & Streaming · 5 hrs ago
Nobuko Nakano faces renewed criticism after return to News to
Neuroscientist Nobuko Nakano returned to the Japanese TV show News to on October 22, her first appearance since apologising online for a controversial remark.
A week earlier, she had described women’s difficulty joining politicians’ evening networking gatherings as being “almost like sexual favors,” drawing objections from host Chiaki Kuroki and another guest.
Nakano said she meant to criticise a structure in which women can be excluded from business networks built through evening socialising.
In her October 19 Instagram post, she apologised for her wording and said she would choose her words more carefully.
On October 22, she spoke about “family closure,” including estrangement from parents and arranging care or end-of-life support through others, and Kuroki again challenged her view.
Some viewers criticised Nakano for not addressing her earlier remark on air before discussing a new topic.
Nakano has pledged to use more careful language, but no further action was stated.
Brain scientist Nobuko Nakano returned to Nippon TV’s News to on October 22, her first television appearance since apologising for a controversial remark.
The previous week, she said women’s participation in politicians’ nighttime networking was “almost like sexual hospitality,” prompting an immediate objection from anchor Chiaki Kuroki.
Nakano said in an Instagram post that she had meant to criticise a structure that can exclude women from business networks built through dinners.
On October 22, the programme discussed “family closure,” including estrangement from parents and outsourcing care or end-of-life support, and Nakano offered views on family life.
Kuroki again redirected or challenged Nakano during the discussion, while some viewers on X criticised Nakano for not addressing the earlier controversy on air.
- Who
- Brain scientist Nobuko Nakano, News to anchor Chiaki Kuroki and the programme’s viewers.
- What
- Nakano returned to the programme after apologising for a remark about women’s access to politicians’ nighttime networking. She then discussed family relationships, and Kuroki again expressed disagreement.
- When
- October 22, 2026. The disputed remark aired on October 15, and Nakano apologised on Instagram on October 19.
- Where
- Nippon TV’s News to in Japan; Nakano posted her apology on Instagram.
- Why
- Nakano said she intended to highlight how women can be excluded from business networks formed through nighttime dinners.
Nobuko Nakano
Chiaki Kuroki
The disputed remark
Nobuko Nakano
Nakano said women can be excluded from nighttime networking that functions as a business-networking platform, describing it as almost like sexual hospitality.
Chiaki Kuroki
Kuroki immediately said she did not think that was the case.
Nakano made the disputed remark about women’s participation in politicians’ nighttime networking on News to.
Nakano posted an apology and explanation on Instagram.
Nakano returned to News to and discussed family relationships; Kuroki again challenged or redirected her remarks.
- Programme
- News to on Nippon TV
- Disputed broadcast
- October 15, 2026
- Instagram apology
- October 19, 2026
- Return appearance
- October 22, 2026
- Topic on return
- Family closure,” including estrangement, care and end-of-life support
3 sources
What people are saying
番組内で私が提起したかったのは、夜の会食を通じた接待の場が、事実上ビジネス上の人脈づくりの場として機能している一方、女性はそこに参加しにくく、結果として仕事上のネットワークから外れやすいという構造の問題でした
公共の電波で真意を正確に伝える責任は、発言者である私にあります
そういうことはないと思います