A lawyer representing former Japanese television personality Nakai Masahiro has disputed a report by an independent panel that concluded Nakai sexually assaulted a woman who was a Fuji television employee at the time.



The lawyer said violence and forceful sexual conduct, which the term "sexual assault" suggests, has not been confirmed.



The lawyer said the panel's report lacks impartiality and fairness, and is extremely problematic. Nakai's representative issued a statement calling on the panel to disclose the relevant evidence and provide an explanation.



Nakai was a member of the disbanded pop idol group SMAP. He became popular as a TV emcee and actor. He retired from show business in January after the scandal came out at the end of last year.



A weekly magazine broke the story that Nakai had gotten into trouble with a former Fuji TV employee and paid a settlement.