Julie K. Fujishima, the niece of the late J-pop mogul Johnny Kitagawa, has issued a public apology for the sexual abuse carried out by her uncle and has stepped down as the head of Johnny & Associates, the talent agency founded by Kitagawa. Kitagawa, who passed away in 2019 at the age of 87, was accused of sexually abusing hundreds of boys and young men over decades.
In a deeply remorseful statement, Fujishima, 57, bowed deeply as she faced reporters and said, “Our office Johnny & Associates, and myself Julie Keiko Fujishima… recognize that Johnny Kitagawa did sexually abuse (the boys). I apologize to the victims from the bottom of my heart.”
The scandal involving Johnny Kitagawa has sent shockwaves through Japan and has been compared to the reactions seen in the United States and Britain following scandals involving figures like Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein and British TV star Jimmy Savile. The scandal came to light earlier this year, following a tell-all documentary aired by the BBC in March.
Founded by Kitagawa in 1962, Johnny & Associates has played a dominant role in Japan’s pop music industry, producing some of the most popular names in J-pop, including SMAP and Arashi. The scandal has raised questions about the agency’s handling of the allegations and the broader issue of child protection.
Fujishima has named Noriyuki Higashiyama, a former member of the 1980s boy-band Shonentai, as the new head of the agency. Higashiyama, 56, acknowledged that while he had been aware of rumors, he had never been a victim of abuse or witnessed it. He expressed his commitment to addressing the issue and winning back lost trust, describing the scandal as “the most pitiful incident in human history.”
Victims’ groups and lawmakers in Japan have called for revisions to laws to protect children from abuse by adults in positions of power. Despite the shocking revelations, Johnny Kitagawa never faced criminal charges during his lifetime.
The scandal has also had repercussions in the corporate world, with Japan Airlines announcing the suspension of the use of Johnny & Associates’ talent in its advertisements. Major insurer Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance has also indicated that it may terminate its contract with the agency.
The apology and leadership change at Johnny & Associates are significant developments in a scandal that has exposed deep-seated issues related to abuse of power and the protection of children in Japan’s entertainment industry.
