New president stated the company would change its identify to “Smile-Up”
Tokyo:
Japan’s prime expertise company Johnny & Associates stated on Monday it might cut up into two entities – one dedicated to compensating victims of sexual abuse by its late founder, including that 325 folks thus far have sought damages. The company may also be altering its identify, disassociating itself from its founder Johnny Kitagawa.
The company, which represents solely male entertainers, final month admitted that Kitagawa, who died in 2019, had abused tons of of boys and younger males in search of stardom going again to no less than the Seventies. Kitagawa’s niece Julie Okay. Fujishima final month resigned as company president, apologising and promising reform and compensation.
New president Noriyuki Higashiyama stated the company, generally referred to as Johnny’s, would change its identify to “Smile-Up” and focus completely on compensating Kitagawa’s victims earlier than being dissolved.
A separate firm could be spun off to take over the expertise administration enterprise, renewing contracts with these people or teams wishing to remain, he instructed a briefing. Its new identify will likely be chosen by followers of its entertainers.
The primary media studies of Kitagawa’s abuse had been carried by the native tabloid Shukan Bunshun in 1999, however the scandal blew vast open this 12 months as extra victims got here ahead after a report by the BBC in March.
Following the company’s acknowledgment of the abuse final month, dozens of main firms have stated they’d finish their contracts with its entertainers.
In an announcement by Fujishima learn out in her absence, the previous chief government, who owns 100% of the company, stated it was her obligation as Kitagawa’s relative to place an finish to Johnny & Associates.
“I wish to take away all traces of Johnny Kitagawa from this world,” her assertion stated.
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