In a dramatic development, talent agency Johnny & Associates recently made a significant announcement during a press conference. The agency disclosed that Julie Keiko Fujishima, the current president, is stepping down from her role. However, the most startling revelation came when Fujishima publicly acknowledged, for the very first time, a deeply unsettling truth—Johnny Kitagawa, the agency's late founder, had engaged in sexual abuse involving numerous aspiring pop star teenagers. This shocking revelation spans from the 1970s through to the 2010s.
These revelations have sent shockwaves throughout the industry and the entire nation. In this article, we delve into the far-reaching implications of these events and the steps being taken to address this historical abuse.
Change in Leadership
With Julie Keiko Fujishima's departure, the helm of Johnny & Associates will transition to Noriyuki Higashiyama, a multifaceted talent known for his acting, singing, and television hosting. Higashiyama, a distinguished member within the agency, will retire from his acting career towards the year's end. Remarkably, he stands as the agency's oldest active member.
Fujishima and Higashiyama have jointly pledged that the agency will actively work towards providing compensation and support for the victims profoundly affected by these revelations.
Revelations Unearthed by Investigative Probe
The startling disclosures emerged following an external investigation initiated in late May. The investigation's findings, disclosed late last month, confirmed that Johnny Kitagawa had subjected numerous agency members to sexual abuse over a protracted period. Additionally, it was unveiled that the agency had, in various instances, concealed Kitagawa's reprehensible actions. Alarmingly, it was suggested that Kitagawa's family members were privy to his actions but did not intervene or prevent further abuse.
The investigative team conducted exhaustive interviews with 41 individuals, comprising former members who identified themselves as victims, alongside senior staff members within the agency. The investigation uncovered additional instances of sexual misconduct by other employees within the organization. Furthermore, it underscored that the prevailing silence within Japan's media industry inadvertently facilitated Kitagawa's continued abusive behavior.
Global Scrutiny and Government Intervention
The gravity of the situation transcended Japan's borders, garnering international attention. The United Nations Human Rights Council's Working Group on Business and Human Rights initiated an investigation into the allegations of sexual abuse involving Johnny Kitagawa. In an August report, the investigative team revealed that hundreds of talents within the agency had been subjected to sexual exploitation and abuse. The report also emphasized that the environment within Japan's entertainment industry had inadvertently allowed sexual predators to operate with impunity.
Responding to these revelations, Japan's Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, announced plans for a ministerial meeting to address the issue of child sexual abuse. Simultaneously, internal investigations within Johnny & Associates, under the oversight of former prosecutor Makoto Hayashi, emphasized prioritizing victim grievances by offering recommendations to prevent future abuse, rather than focusing on assigning blame or determining criminal culpability.
Julie Keiko Fujishima had already taken steps towards addressing the issue, releasing a video in May wherein she expressed profound apologies to those claiming to be victims of sexual abuse by Johnny Kitagawa. She also pledged to implement management reforms in the future.
Historical Context and Prior Allegations
The allegations against Johnny Kitagawa did not emerge suddenly. In March 2002, the BBC released a comprehensive documentary titled "Predator: The Secret Scandal of J-Pop." This documentary explored the extensive history of sexual abuse allegations made by boys within Kitagawa's agency and delved into the reasons behind the largely silent stance adopted by the Japanese media on this issue.
In April 2021, Kauan Okamoto, a Japanese-Brazilian singer and songwriter, came forward with allegations that Johnny Kitagawa had abused him on multiple occasions between 2012 and 2016 when he was still an agency member. Okamoto revealed that he knew at least three others who had also been subjected to abuse. His press conference triggered a response from a group of fans and idols who petitioned Johnny & Associates to apologize and initiate an investigation. The petition, posted on Change.org, garnered over 16,000 signatures since its launch on April 19.
Legacy and Legal Battles
Johnny Kitagawa, who passed away at the age of 87 in July 2019 due to a subarachnoid hemorrhage, left behind a complex legacy. He had founded Johnny & Associates in 1962, establishing iconic male idol groups such as SMAP, Arashi, Tokio, KinKi Kids, V6, KAT-TUN, and Hey! Say! JUMP. Collectively, the members of these idol groups were known as "Johnny's."
It's worth noting that Johnny Kitagawa had faced allegations of sexual misconduct during his career. In 1999, Shukan Bunshun magazine published a 14-week exposé detailing accusations of child abuse and sexual exploitation. However, these allegations did not culminate in formal criminal charges. In fact, Kitagawa and Johnny & Associates had filed a lawsuit against the magazine. Although the magazine initially lost the first trial in March 2002,
