The case concerning Johnny Kitagawa and charges of sexual abuse is a complicated and unpleasant chain of events that have occurred over time. The earliest allegations date back to 1988, when Koji Kita, a former member of the Four Leaves, published diaries saying that Kitagawa had made unwelcome sexual approaches to young boys while working for his agency. Junya Hiramoto, a former member of another band managed by Kitagawa, claimed to have witnessed Kitagawa pushing a boy into a sexual encounter in one of the talent agency’s dormitories.
The journal Shukan Bunshun released a series of stories in 1999 detailing various complaints of sexual misconduct. These allegations were made by a dozen teenage guys recruited by Johnny & Associates. The accusers preferred to speak anonymously because they were afraid of the implications of coming out. Kitagawa was also accused in the series of permitting minors in his service to use alcohol and smoke, adding another layer to the issue. These charges drew widespread notice, prompting a hearing in April 2000 presided over by Yoshihide Sakaue, a member of Parliament. While the National Police Agency acknowledged looking into Kitagawa’s agency, they did not uncover enough evidence to prove sexual harassment occurred. Instead, they cautioned the agency against allowing youngsters to consume alcohol and tobacco.
In August 2023, an independent investigation commissioned by Johnny & Associates revealed that Kitagawa had frequently committed sexual assault
Years of legal wrangling followed. The Tokyo District Court granted Kitagawa a defamation judgment against Shukan Bunshun in 2002, but the Tokyo High Court partially reversed this verdict in 2003. In 2004, the Supreme Court denied Kitagawa’s appeal. Following Johnny Kitagawa’s death in July 2019, the case was resurrected, with new allegations arising. Former Johnny’s Jr. members claimed that Kitagawa had inappropriate relationships with young talent. A BBC documentary titled Predator: The Secret Scandal of J-Pop aired in March 2023, shedding light on the sexual harassment charges against Kitagawa and bringing the subject to international notice. In April 2023, singer Kauan Okamoto held a press conference in which she accused Kitagawa of sexual abuse and demanded that the company’s management admit to the misconduct. Johnny & Associates released a statement in response, vowing to strengthen its governance and compliance measures.
In August 2023, an independent investigation commissioned by Johnny & Associates revealed that Kitagawa had frequently committed sexual assault from the early 1970s to the mid-2010s. Julie Keiko Fujishima, the company’s president and Kitagawa’s niece, was recommended to leave, as was making reparations for the abuse. Finally, Johnny & Associates formally acknowledged Kitagawa’s abuse on September 7, 2023. Fujishima quit, and former Johnny’s member Noriyuki Higashiyama took over as CEO.
