Current:Home > MarketsJapanese boy-band production company sets up panel to compensate sexual assault victims -Trailblazer Wealth Guides
Japanese boy-band production company sets up panel to compensate sexual assault victims
View
Date:2025-04-16 01:30:42
TOKYO (AP) — The Japanese boys-band production company at the center of an unfolding sexual abuse scandal, Johnny & Associates, chose three former judges Wednesday to head its effort to compensate hundreds of victims.
The Tokyo-based agency also said it will not take its usual cut from its performers’ earnings for the next year “in an effort to win back public trust,” and all the money for shows and other appearances will go to the individuals.
The actions come after Johnny’s, as the company is known, acknowledged last week that Johnny Kitagawa, its late founder and former chief, had sexually assaulted at least several hundred teens and children over half a century.
A special online site will be set up for people who worked under Johnny’s so they can be financially compensated, the company said in a statement. Privacy will be protected, and the monetary amount will be worked out in direct talks with each person, it said.
Kitagawa died in 2019 and was never charged.
Julie Keiko Fujishima, his niece, stepped down as chief executive of Johnny’s last week and was replaced by Noriyuki Higashiyama, a Johnny’s star. Fujishima remains on the board and owns 100% of the unlisted company.
Japan has been shaken by the scope and systematic nature of the once-powerful Kitagawa’s acts, as more people come forward to say they were victimized.
Johnny’s also reiterated its promise to strengthen governance and appoint a compliance officer in the company.
“We recognize that the late Johnny Kitagawa carried out sexual assaults over a long period, and we apologize to the victims from the bottom of our hearts,” the company said. “We vow to carry out compensation and prevent a recurrence.”
Various Japanese companies, including beverage makers Asahi Group Holdings and Suntory Holdings, have announced they will no longer use Johnny’s stars in ads or promotions. Among the latest was Kao Corp., a chemical and cosmetics company, which cited “considerations for people’s various feelings” on Tuesday.
McDonald’s Japan has also said it will stop using Johnny’s stars in future deals, but past ads featuring them remained on its official site.
Japanese mainstream media have come under attack for remaining silent, despite tell-all books and a Japanese Supreme Court ruling in 2004 in favor of the weekly Shukan Bunshun, which Kitagawa had sued for libel.
Public broadcaster NHK did a special program this week asking producers at that time why they did not cover the story. They said they had hesitated because Kitagawa had not been arrested. One person acknowledged he had “chosen bread over the pen,” meaning he had chosen money over journalistic integrity. Johnny’s stars are extremely popular, leading to sponsorship revenue and hit TV shows.
A group of nine victims set up this year is demanding an apology and compensation. They went to the Japan Federation of Bar Associations on Monday to ask for its backing. They have also gone to Parliament.
The U.N. Working Group on Business and Human Rights has urged the Japanese government to support the compensation efforts. Its investigation, as well as the company’s own probe, found Kitagawa routinely molested children, mostly at his luxurious home, after they auditioned as backup dancers or took lessons. One victim said he was raped 200 times.
___
Yuri Kageyama is on Twitter https://twitter.com/yurikageyama
veryGood! (9)
Related
- Small twin
- Punxsutawney Phil prepares to make his annual Groundhog Day winter weather forecast
- Score a $598 Tory Burch Dress for $60, a $248 Top for $25, and More Can't-Miss Deals
- Kentucky House boosts school spending but leaves out guaranteed teacher raises and universal pre-K
- Toyota to invest $922 million to build a new paint facility at its Kentucky complex
- Federal investigators examining collapsed Boise airplane hangar that killed 3
- Sen. Tom Cotton repeatedly grills Singaporean TikTok CEO if he's a Chinese Communist
- What are the Iran-backed groups operating in the Middle East, as U.S. forces come under attack?
- Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
- Arkansas police chief arrested and charged with kidnapping
Ranking
- Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
- The Best Valentine's Day Gifts Based On Each Love Language
- Satellite images show massive atmospheric river that is barreling over the West Coast
- Taylor Swift's Travis Kelce-themed jewelry is surprisingly affordable. Here's where to buy
- 'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
- Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin apologizes for keeping hospitalization secret
- Who freed Flaco? One year later, eagle-owl’s escape from Central Park Zoo remains a mystery
- Elmo Wants to Reassure You There Are Sunny Days Ahead After His Viral Check-in
Recommendation
Romantasy reigns on spicy BookTok: Recommendations from the internet’s favorite genre
Former suburban St. Louis police officer now charged with sexually assaulting 19 men
Donald Glover shares big 'Community' movie update: 'I'm all in'
South Carolina to provide free gun training classes under open carry bill passed by state Senate
South Korean president's party divided over defiant martial law speech
Eagerly awaited redistricting reports that will reshape Wisconsin Legislature are due
Mobsters stole a historical painting from a family; 54 years later the FBI brought it home
OxyContin marketer agrees to pay $350M rather than face lawsuits