Japanese Talent Agency Apologizes for Sexual Abuse Scandal

The president of Johnny & Associates, one of Japan's most powerful talent agencies, has issued an apology to young men who have come forward with allegations of sexual abuse against the firm's late founder, Johnny Kitagawa. The allegations have been public knowledge for over 20 years, but were ignored by TV networks that depended on his agency to provide a steady stream of talent. Kitagawa launched the careers of a string of boybands, including perennial favourites Smap and Arashi, over a career spanning more than half a century.