A documentary aired by NHK last year that allegedly contained a fake interview should be investigated further, an interim investigation report said Thursday.
"Close-up Gendai," broadcast on May 14, erroneously described a room for a fraudulent broker's meeting with a debtor as a base for illegal activities, according to the report issued by the Japan Broadcasting Corp. panel.
Suspicions about the program were raised recently by weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun, which reported that the man said to be a broker was in fact asked to play the part by a reporter.
The reporter has denied the accusation, saying he merely provided an explanation prior to filming the scene, according to the report.