Johnny & Associates, Inc., Japan’s largest entertainment agency, which produces SMAP and ARASI, will disappear into history for the first time in 61 years due to the founder’s sexual violence problem. For the time being, the company changed its name to “Smile-Up” and decided to close its current company after compensation for sexual violence damage was completed.
Noriyuki Higashiyama, the new president of Johnnys, held a press conference in Tokyo on the afternoon of the 2nd and said, “I apologize once again to the victims who are still suffering. Johnny & Associates, Inc., will disband itself,” it said. President Higashiyama previously revealed in a research report by a team of experts made by the office on the 7th of last month that former President John Hiromu Kitagawa (1931-2019), the founder of the company, used sexual violence against hundreds of celebrities, including minors, from the 1950s to the 2010s, but said he would maintain the company name “Johnny & Associates, Inc.”
However, on the 17th of this month, the company changed its name to “Smile-Up” to proceed with compensation for the victims and decided to close the company when the case is completed. As social criticism grows over the company’s lukewarm response to the founder’s sexual violence problem and the advertising industry is not willing to use its celebrities, it seems to be finally trying to completely erase the traces of former president John Hiromu Kitagawa.
As of the 30th of last month, 325 people have applied for damage compensation claims to the Victims Relief Committee established by Johnny & Associates, Inc. President Higashiyama said, “I thought, ‘Was it this bad?’ We will face how the victims can heal,” he said. Yoshihiko Inohara, president of Johnnys’ ISLAND, who is in charge of fostering Johnnys trainees, also said at a press conference, ” (John Hiromu Kitagawa) was under absolute control. Thanks to one of the victims’ courage, several people were able to confess. We must not waste this,” he stressed. John Hiromu Kitagawa’s sex crimes, which have been hush-hush in the Japanese entertainment industry for decades, were revealed to the world in March by the BBC, after an hour-long broadcast of accusations by Johnny & Associates, Inc., and Okamoto Kauan (27), who was an entertainer, testified of the damage in a public press conference in April.
Compensation for victims begins in November. After the relief committee calculates the amount of compensation and presents it to “Smile-Up”, it plans to proceed with the payment process based on this. Kitagawa’s nephew JULIE K, who owns 100% of “Smile-Up”. President Jeon said in a separate message that day, “We will do nothing other than compensation and comforting the victims,” adding, “It is necessary to close Johnny & Associates, Inc., as a relative of the perpetrator.” “I want to remove all traces of John Hiromu Kitagawa from the world,” he added.
Within a month after that, a new entertainment agency will be established and current president Higashiyama will take office as president. The company name is determined through a fan club contest, and the appointment of outside directors is also being considered. Executives and employees will invest, but the capital is not known in detail. JULIE K, a relative. Jeon decided not to be involved in equity investment and management at all.
478 victims who contacted the relief committee will drop the sign 61 years after the birth of Japan’s large agency “Johnny & Associates, Inc.” ‘ Johnny & Associates, Inc., Founder Sex Scandal Is Growing. ‘ Various advertisers, including Johnny & Associates, Inc., and major Japanese insurance companies that used celebrities as advertising models, are also deepening their concerns.
Noriyuki Higashiyama, the new president of the Janis office, said, “We will change the company name to SmileUp as of the 17th to express our complete determination to break up with founder Kitagawa.”
The name SmileUp is a trademark acquired by Janice’s office three years ago to promote a social contribution project.
“Some people may feel different about the word smile, but first of all, I think it is a social responsibility to proceed with support or compensation for the affected people as soon as possible,” the new president said, announcing his new start.
As of Sept. 13, the company set up a victim’s relief committee consisting of three lawyers as a window for receiving damage compensation. Full-scale compensation will begin in November, and Janice’s office will be completely closed when compensation is completed. 478 people contacted the victims’ relief committee set up by the office, and 325 of them want compensation.
Both celebrities and employees will move to a new company. Yoshihiko Inohara, a former member of the Japanese idol group V6, will work as the vice president of the new company.
President Higashiyama said, “We also plan to change the names of groups and affiliates to which ‘Jannis’ is attached, such as ‘Kanjani ∞’ (Kanjani Eight) and ‘Jannis West’.”
Tokyo Marine Insurance Co., Ltd. of Japan has decided not to renew its contract with Janis. Tokyo Marine & Marine Insurance Co., which has practiced respect for human rights as the core of corporate management, will no longer sign an advertising contract with the Janis office, Tokyo Marine & Marine Insurance Co. said. “We will also consider terminating the remaining contracts without waiting for them to expire.”
Nippon Life of Japan is also reportedly planning to no longer sign an advertising contract with Janis.
SOPHIA KIM
US ASIA JOURNAL
