Talent Manager Accused of Assaulting Musician Kauan Okamoto

Musician Kauan Okamoto has accused Johnny Kitagawa, a powerful figure in the Japanese entertainment industry, of sexually assaulting him when he was 15 years old. Okamoto was part of the backup boys' group Johnny's Jr., which was managed by Johnny & Associates. Okamoto estimated that dozens of people were selected by Kitagawa as his "favorites" to come stay at his home where the alleged abuse occurred. Kitagawa died in 2019 and was never charged. Okamoto said he had not considered legal action but hoped his story would be acknowledged.