Koichi Minato, president of Fuji Television, resigned with immediate effect, while Shuji Kano, chairman of both Fuji Television and its parent company, Fuji Media Holdings, also stepped down. Kenji Shimizu, executive vice-president of Fuji Media Holdings, will take over as president of the television network.

The president and chairperson of Japanese network Fuji Television have resigned over a widening sex assault scandal linked to one of Japan's top TV celebrities.

Chairman Shuji Kano and television President Koichi Minato quit on Monday, weeks after broadcaster Masahiro Nakai was accused of sexual assault, sparking a public relations storm and a mass exit of sponsors.

Japanese magazines accused Masahiro Nakai, a TV host and leader of the former boy band SMAP, of sexual misconduct. Nakai has worked for Fuji TV and other broadcasters