In response to the sexual abuse scandal involving its late founder, Johnny Kitagawa, Japan’s prominent talent agency, Johnny & Associates, has announced a significant restructuring. The agency, which represents exclusively male entertainers, confirmed that it will divide into two separate entities.
The first entity, under the name “Smile-Up,” will be dedicated to compensating the victims of sexual abuse by Johnny Kitagawa. As of now, 325 individuals have sought damages related to the abuse. Johnny Kitagawa, who passed away in 2019, was revealed last month to have abused hundreds of boys and young men aspiring for stardom, dating back to at least the 1970s. His niece, Julie K Fujishima, who served as the agency’s president, resigned last month, expressing apologies and a commitment to reform and compensation.
The agency’s new president, Noriyuki Higashiyama, outlined the restructuring plans, noting that Smile-Up would solely focus on compensating Kitagawa’s victims before eventually dissolving. A separate company will be established to assume the talent management business, renewing contracts with entertainers or groups that wish to continue their affiliation with the agency. The new name for this entity will be determined by fans of the agency’s entertainers.
The sexual abuse allegations against Johnny Kitagawa first emerged in 1999 when they were reported by the local tabloid Shukan Bunshun. However, the scandal gained widespread attention and momentum this year as more victims came forward following a report by the BBC in March.
In the wake of the agency’s acknowledgment of the abuse, numerous major companies announced their intentions to terminate contracts with the agency’s entertainers.
Julie K Fujishima, who holds full ownership of the agency, released a statement, read out in her absence, expressing her duty as Johnny Kitagawa’s relative to bring an end to Johnny & Associates. “I want to remove all traces of Johnny Kitagawa from this world,” her statement conveyed.
