TV broadcasters were scrambling Wednesday to replace six programs hosted by Shinsuke Shimada, who abruptly announced he was leaving the entertainment industry over ties with a high-ranking yakuza.
"We need to come up with a decision because the program will be aired soon," said a Fuji TV official in charge of a quiz program Shimada was hosting.
NTV, which airs two programs hosted by Shimada, was also struggling over how to move forward.