Prominent Japanese corporations are severing their connections with the largest talent agency in the country following a sexual abuse scandal that engulfed Johnny and Associates. Companies such as Nissan, Asahi, and Suntory have declared their intention not to renew contracts with the talent agency, BBC reports.
Toyota, which previously had a contract with one of Johnny's top stars, confirmed it had no plans to enter further agreements with Johnny's talents. Japan's agriculture ministry also stated that it would cease employing these stars.
Johnny and Associates is the most prominent talent agency in Japan, specializing in J-pop and boybands. An independent investigation revealed last month that the agency's late founder, Johnny Kitagawa, had sexually abused hundreds of boys and young men during his six-decade career as a powerful entertainment figure in Japan. A BBC documentary in March initiated a national discussion on Kitagawa, prompting more J-pop stars to come forward with reports of abuse.
Julie Fujishima, Kitagawa's niece who assumed control of Johnny & Associates after his death in 2019, resigned earlier this month following public pressure. Her resignation came after she publicly acknowledged her uncle's sexual abuse. Asahi Group Holdings, a major beverage company, subsequently announced the withdrawal of ongoing television and online advertisements featuring the agency's stars.
Other major brands, including Nissan Motors, Suntory, and Kirin, have also expressed concerns about the agency's actions and have called for detailed measures to assist victims and prevent further incidents. Criticism has also arisen regarding Noriyuki Higashiyama, the agency's new head, who faces allegations of sexually assaulting young boys. Questions have been raised about why the agency continues to retain the name of a sexual predator.
Despite reports of his crimes, Kitagawa remained a celebrated figure in Japan, holding numerous world records in the entertainment industry. However, following the investigation, Guinness World Records removed his achievements from its official website. A United Nations working group visited Japan last month and urged the government to conduct a transparent and legitimate investigation while accusing the mainstream media of staying silent about the alleged abuse for decades.
The male-only talent agency has long dominated the entertainment industry, with TV stations reluctant to lose access to Johnny's talent. However, public sentiment has shifted significantly in recent months, with growing pressure on TV shows to remove Johnny's stars from their programming and many companies delaying decisions on sponsoring their shows. Some artists formerly represented by Johnny and Associates have also departed for other agencies.
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