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For decades, Johnny Kitagawas name was synonymous with success.
His talent agency Johnny & Associates, more commonly known as Johnnys, launched Japans most famous boy bands.
1 artists, the most No.
1 singles, and the most concerts produced by an individual.
Who was Johnny Kitagawa?
John Hiromu Kitagawa created his first musical group in 1962 with baseball players from a team that he coached.
After founding his male talent agency Johnnys, idol boy bands became his business.
What was Kitagawa accused of?
In the 80s and 90s, several former Johnnys performers or trainees published books that included allegations against Kitagawa.
(The magazine was held liable for claims that Kitagawa enabled underage smoking and drinking.)
Why did the allegations resurface this year?
How did Johnnys initially respond to the allegations?
In thevideo, Fujishima apologized to accusers who came forward and for causing disappointment and anxiety.
Fujishima also claimed that she hadnt known about the alleged misconduct.
That response didnt seem to satisfy the public.
Investigators also found that Johnnys as an agency did not properly investigate the allegations.
On September 7, Johnnys held a four-hour-longpress conference.
The agency said it was aware that Kitagawa had committed sexual assault.
It also apologized to victims and committed to financially compensating them.
Payments are expected to begin in November.
How have Japanese companies responded?
We should not book sales, even 1 yen, at the expense of human rights.
What steps has Johnnys taken in light of the allegations?
(Testimonies from people who were not affiliated with the agency will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.)
Victims can submit a confidentialonline formwith details about what they experienced.
During a televised October 2 press conference, Johnnys announced that it plans to split into two entities.
On October 17, the agency will be renamed Smile-Up and become a firm dedicated to compensating Kitagawas victims.
It remains to be seen if this rebrand will be enough to escape the association with Kitagawa.
Why didnt all these allegations gain traction sooner?
The external investigation suggested that Kitagawas abuse went unchecked in part because mainstream media outlets didnt cover the allegations.
The New YorkTimesalsoreportedthat major news outlets in Japan similarly chose not to cover the allegations inShukan Bunshuns 1999 expose.
Fear of retaliation was likely also a factor.
The same thing goes for publications.
(Johnnys denied that it violated anti-monopoly law.)
Whats going on with the new Johnnys president?
But Higashiyama himself faces his own abuse allegations.
Maybe it happened, maybe it didnt.
I have trouble remembering.
What will happen toKohakuthis year?
Public broadcaster NHK, which airs the annual event, has not yet released its 2023 lineup.
This post has been updated.
