Julie K. Fujishima, the niece of late J-pop mogul Johnny Kitagawa, has issued a public apology and stepped down as the head of the talent agency her uncle founded. This comes after the shocking revelation of the sexual abuse carried out by Kitagawa, who headed the most powerful talent agency in Japan’s pop music industry until his death in 2019.
Fujishima expressed remorse for the abuse and extended her apologies to the victims, acknowledging the actions of her uncle. Both she and her office have recognized the seriousness of the allegations against Kitagawa.
The scandal has sparked outrage in Japan, drawing similarities to the reactions seen in the United States and Britain following the Harvey Weinstein and Jimmy Savile scandals. Lawmakers and human rights experts have criticized Johnny & Associates, the talent agency, for their handling of the allegations.
Founded in 1962, Johnny & Associates has had a significant presence in Japanese culture, producing popular J-pop acts such as SMAP and Arashi. In the wake of the scandal, Noriyuki Higashiyama, a former member of the boy band Shonentai, has been named the new head of the agency. Higashiyama expressed regret for not taking action against the rumors of abuse and pledged his commitment to addressing the issue.
The scandal has had repercussions beyond the talent agency itself. Japan Airlines has suspended the agency’s use of talent in advertisements, while Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance is considering terminating its contract with Johnny & Associates.
Although the scandal first emerged in 1999, it gained widespread attention this year following a BBC documentary, leading to more victims coming forward. A victims’ group has now called for revisions to laws protecting children from abuse by adults in positions of power.
Notably, Johnny Kitagawa never faced criminal charges and continued recruiting teenage boys until his death. He was widely known as Johnny-san and is credited with cultivating generations of male idols and all-boy bands, holding multiple Guinness World Records for his industry achievements.
In the meantime, Fujishima will remain as the representative director until compensation for the victims is complete, although the details of this process are yet to be determined.
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