Johnny Kitagawa was a powerful figure in Japanese pop who used his immense influence to sexually abuse aspiring idols in the country; now the company recognizes his crimes.
The head of Japan’s largest pop music talent agency has resigned after finally acknowledging sexual abuse committed by its late founder, Johnny Kitagawa.
Julie Fujishima resigned from Johnny and Associates on Thursday (7/6), amid a public apology to her uncle’s victims.
The departure comes a week after an investigation found Kitagawa abused hundreds of boys and young men over six decades as head of the agency that manages boy bands.
A BBC documentary about the abuse has prompted more victims to come forward.
Johnny Kitagawa died in 2019, always denying any wrongdoing. He has never faced legal charges.
On Thursday, his granddaughter and then-CEO Fujishima acknowledged the abuse for the first time.
“Both the agency and I as an individual recognize that sexual abuse by Johnny Kitagawa occurred,” she said.
“I apologize to his victims from the bottom of my heart.”
Local media showed some of the victims watching the news conference, some appearing visibly angry.
The scandal parallels in scale and impact on the industry that of Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein, who was convicted of rape and sexual assault.
Kitagawa was undoubtedly the most influential and powerful figure in the Japanese entertainment industry. Her agency has been the gateway to stardom for many young people over the years.
Several victims told the BBC documentary Predator: the secret scandal of J-Pop (“Predator: The Secret J-Pop Scandal”) who felt their careers would be harmed if they did not comply with Kitagawa’s sexual demands.
No action taken
Rumors and some reports of abuse had been circulating for years, but no concrete action had been taken.
The pop mogul never faced criminal charges and continued to recruit and train teenagers until his death four years ago at the age of 87.
His death was a national event and even the Japanese Prime Minister at the time sent his condolences.
Although some of the allegations were proven in civil court during his lifetime, Kitagawa successfully sued accusers for defamation on at least one occasion.
Most major Japanese media outlets also failed to report the allegations for decades, prompting accusations of an industry cover-up.
In March, the BBC’s investigation into Kitagawa’s abuse was broadcast, sparking discussion across Japan and launching a full investigation.
Thousands of J-pop fans also signed a petition calling for an investigation into the agency.
The documentary detailed allegations from victims who worked for the all-male agency when they were teenagers.
The statements show a pattern of exploitation, with abuse taking place in luxury homes in Kitagawa and often witnessed by other boys.
The BBC’s coverage prompted other victims to come forward, including former Japanese-Brazilian star Kauan Okamoto, who said she was abused by Kitagawa for four years, starting at the age of 15.
Public pressure led the agency to launch its own independent investigation.
The team, made up of Japan’s former Attorney General Makoto Hayashi, a psychiatrist and clinical psychologist, interviewed 41 people, including 23 victims, as well as the former Fujishima chief.
In the final report released last week, they found that Kitagawa began sexually abusing young men in the 1950s, through the 1960s, when Johnny and Associates was created, through the 2010s.
They also found that family-run management of the agency allowed abuse to persist for decades. Investigators said Fujishima, a longtime executive at the company, did not follow up on the allegations even though he knew they existed.
Fujishima was initially against an independent investigation. In May, she apologized to the victims but she stopped short of saying that the individual allegations were true and she said she was unaware of her uncle’s actions at the time.
On Thursday he named as his successor Noriyuki Higashiyama, a name familiar on Japanese television, who, 56, was also one of the first talents recruited by Johnny and Associates.
Higashiyama said he was never a victim of Kitagawa’s abuse, but was aware of the rumors.
“I couldn’t and didn’t do anything about it,” he said at a news conference.
He also acknowledged public calls to change the agency’s name, but said no immediate action would be taken.
The company talked about structural changes during the press conference, but it’s unclear what those changes would look like and how the agency’s talent would be managed and protected.
There are then questions about the future of Johnny and Associates as a brand synonymous with fame and glamour, and which has now been exposed in a negative light.
With additional reporting by Kelly Ng and Frances Mao
Source: Terra
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
