Sexual Abuse Scandal Shakes Japan's Entertainment Industry and Sparks Name Change Discussions.
Takeshi Kitano, a prominent figure in Japan's entertainment industry, has commented on the sexual abuse scandal surrounding Johnny & Associates, the country's dominant talent agency for young male stars. The scandal has been brewing for decades, but it wasn't until a BBC documentary aired that Japanese media began to cover it. Several male idols have come forward with allegations of sexual assault by the company's founder, Johnny Kitagawa. Kitano criticized the talent agency system in Japan, which he says treats talent like slaves and exploits their earnings. Johnny's current president, Julie Keiko Fujishima, has issued an apology on behalf of the company.