Investigators have called for the resignation of Julie Keiko Fujishima, the niece of late J-pop talent agency boss Johnny Kitagawa, over allegations of sexual abuse within the agency. The independent panel also recommended that Johnny and Associates compensate the victims. Kitagawa, who never faced charges, was accused of sexually exploiting aspiring pop stars for decades. The investigators found that Fujishima, as president and CEO, must have known about the abuse but took no action. The report also highlighted the enabling environment in the Japanese entertainment industry that allows sexual predators to act with impunity.
An investigation into sexual assault allegations against the late founder of a prominent Japanese talent agency for boy bands, Johnny Kitagawa, has found the charges credible. The probe, which included speaking with 23 victims, concluded that Kitagawa sexually assaulted and abused boys as far back as the 1950s, targeting at least several hundred people. The investigative panel called for compensation for the victims and the resignation of the current chief executive of Johnny & Associates, Julie Keiko Fujishima, for not taking action over the years. The case highlights Japan's lagging awareness about rape, sexual harassment, and human rights, with critics pointing out the country's unsympathetic public opinion towards victims of sexual predators.
An expert team investigating allegations of sexual abuse by late musical mogul Johnny Kitagawa has released a scathing report, calling for the resignation of Johnny's & Associates President Julie Keiko Fujishima. The report reveals that Kitagawa began sexually abusing boys in the 1950s and continued to do so at his talent agency from the 1970s to the 2010s. The team, consisting of three experts and six lawyers, conducted interviews with 41 individuals for the investigation.
Two men who were allegedly sexually abused as teenagers by the late Japanese entertainment mogul Johnny Kitagawa were interviewed by a special team set up by the talent agency, Johnny & Associates. The men, former members of a boys' dance-and-song group called Johnny's Junior, are among a dozen individuals who have accused Kitagawa of abuse. They are seeking an apology and compensation from the agency. The U.N. Working Group on Business and Human Rights has urged the Japanese government to address the abuse, and a report will be presented to the U.N. Human Rights Council next year. The investigative team's findings will be given to Johnny & Associates later this month.
The United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights has stated that the victims who came forward alleging sexual abuse by late Japanese boy band producer Johnny Kitagawa deserve apologies and compensation. The U.N. group accused Japan's mainstream media of remaining silent about the abuse for decades and raised concerns about the sincerity of the response from Kitagawa's talent agency, Johnny & Associates. The group called for a transparent and legitimate investigation by other entertainment industry players and urged the Japanese government to ensure transparent investigations and effective remedies for victims. A full report will be presented to the U.N. Human Rights Council in June, including recommendations for change. Critics argue that this case highlights Japan's lag in protecting human rights, and the victims hope that the U.N.'s actions will bring about justice and change.
The United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights has stated that the victims who came forward alleging sexual abuse by late Japanese boy band producer Johnny Kitagawa deserve apologies and compensation. The U.N. group criticized Japan's mainstream media for remaining silent about the abuse for decades and questioned the sincerity of the response from Kitagawa's talent agency, Johnny & Associates. The group called for a transparent and legitimate investigation by the entertainment industry and urged the Japanese government to ensure transparent investigations and effective remedies for the victims. A full report will be presented to the U.N. Human Rights Council in June, including recommendations for change.
Japan's top talent management firm, Johnny & Associates, has apologized for the alleged sexual abuse committed by its founder, Johnny Kitagawa, who died in 2019. The company, which represents popular J-pop bands, has faced calls for a full investigation into accusations of sexual misconduct dating back decades. While the company has decided against creating an independent committee to probe the allegations, it will provide a point of contact for victims who have already come forward and wish to receive counseling services in future.
The CEO of Johnny and Associates, Japan's most powerful pop talent agency, has apologized to alleged victims of sexual abuse committed by its late founder, Johnny Kitagawa. A BBC documentary spoke to several victims and prompted a J-pop star to come forward with his story of abuse. Thousands of fans of Japanese boy bands have since signed a petition calling for a full investigation. Japanese media have long been accused of a cover-up.
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.
The president of Johnny & Associates, Julie Keiko Fujishima, has issued an apology for sexual assault claims against the talent agency's late founder, Johnny Kitagawa. The allegations, made by former male entertainers and others, have gained international attention after a BBC documentary aired in March. The apology comes a month after Kauan Okamoto claimed that Kitagawa sexually abused him as a teen.
The president of Johnny & Associates, Julie Keiko Fujishima, has issued an apology for sexual assault claims against the company's late founder, Johnny Kitagawa. The apology comes a month after Kauan Okamoto, a Japanese-Brazilian singer and songwriter, claimed that Kitagawa sexually abused him as a teen. Fujishima's apology comes as former music personalities and others come forward over alleged incidents.
The president of Johnny & Associates Inc., Julie Keiko Fujishima, issued a video and written apology to those who have alleged sexual abuse by its late founder Johnny Kitagawa. The apology came a month after Kauan Okamoto claimed Kitagawa sexually abused him on multiple occasions as a young teen. Kitagawa was also the subject of numerous allegations of sexual misconduct. Fujishima expressed her deepest apologies to the victims and committed to implementing measures to address their needs.
Former J-pop star trainee Kauan Okamoto alleged during a press conference that he and multiple other young men were sexually abused by the late Johnny Kitagawa, once a powerful figure in Japan’s entertainment industry. Okamoto said the abuse happened when he would stay overnight at one of Kitagawa’s penthouse apartments in Tokyo, often with other young aspiring musicians who were also signed to Kitagawa’s talent agency, Johnny & Associates. There have been long-standing allegations against Kitagawa, who was never charged over the allegations.
Former J-pop star Kauan Okamoto has accused Johnny Kitagawa, a revered Japanese music producer who died in 2019, of sexually abusing him up to 20 times from 2012-2016, beginning when he was 15 and in a boy band. Okamoto said he believed as many as 100 boys had been abused. Kitagawa denied all accusations during his life and never faced charges. The allegations of his sexual exploitation were ignored for decades, and most Japanese media did not cover the allegations, prompting accusations of an industry cover-up.
Former client of Johnny & Associates, Okamoto Kauan, has accused the agency's founder and head, Johnny Kitagawa, of sexually abusing him and others. Kitagawa, who died in 2019, trained and promoted many of Japan's biggest male idol groups. Okamoto alleged that Kitagawa abused him "15 to 20 times" during his four-year stint at the agency, beginning in 2012 when Okamoto was 15. The agency has not directly addressed the allegations but has stated that it is prioritizing the development of a highly transparent organizational structure. Rumors and allegations of abuse have followed Kitagawa for decades.
