Many Individuals Seek Compensation for Abuse in J-pop Agency Linked to Johnny Kitagawa

The late Johnny Kitagawa, a renowned talent agent in Japan, is facing more than 300 claims for compensation from individuals who allege they were sexually abused by him, according to his agency. Kitagawa, who passed away in 2019, came under scrutiny following a BBC investigation earlier this year. Following an inquiry that uncovered decades of abuse, his niece Julie Fujishima resigned as the head of the agency last month. The agency has now confirmed that 325 people have approached them seeking compensation, with 150 of them being former talents. To address the situation and regain trust, the agency plans to rebrand itself as SMILE-UP and exclusively handle the identification and compensation of victims. Additionally, a separate company will be established for talent management. Various broadcasters and brands have already distanced themselves from the agency since news of the abuse broke. Although Kitagawa consistently denied any wrongdoing throughout his career, he faced numerous allegations of sexual abuse, some of which were proven in civil court cases. Nevertheless, he remained highly regarded in Japan until his death.