Fuji bet 月9 on 佐藤二朗 — the scandal scrapped its romance slate

In spring 2026 Fuji Television cast 佐藤二朗 as one of the double leads of its April-season 月9 drama 夫婦別姓刑事, alongside 橋本愛. On 1 July 文春オンライン reported that 佐藤's on-set behaviour toward 橋本 had been flagged; Fuji admitted on 2 July that it had issued him a 厳重注意.

The bet was wider than one drama. On 29 June Fuji had announced 佐藤 for the 踊る大捜査線 spinoff tied to the September film 踊る大捜査線N.E.W.メトロポリスを駆け抜けろ!. On 3 July スポニチ reported that Fuji had told 佐藤 he was being dropped from the spinoff — days after the unveiling, a quick 手のひら返し that drew heavy viewer criticism.

On 7 July Fuji published a statement laying out the finding: 橋本 had a boundary on physical contact that production had not passed to 佐藤 himself, and his twice-visiting her dressing room left her '激しく動揺し涙が止まらない', which an external lawyer's review judged harassment. 佐藤 hit back on X, saying 'もうフジとは関わりたくない'.

The damage reached the 月9 flagship itself. On 10 July スポニチ reported Fuji was reworking its planned January-2027 月9 romance drama — the script had been written and a lead actor chosen — because commissioning a 恋愛作品 after the 夫婦-themed trouble was judged unsuitable. By 11 July the industry was questioning whether the 恋愛もの identity of the flagship frame could survive.