The president of a famous Japanese talent agency specializing in male bands has apologized for alleged sexual abuse of young artists by her uncle and predecessor at the head of Johnny & Associates.
“More than anything, I offer my sincerest apologies to the victims,” said Julie Keiko Fujishima, bowing four times in a one-minute video released on the YouTube platform on Sunday.
Fujishima also apologized for the “disappointment and concern” caused by fans of artists whose careers are managed by Johnny’s, as the company is also known.
In a written statement, the executive assured that it was not aware of any cases of abuse and said the agency has set up teams to set up procedures to protect artists and to counsel victims.
However, Fujishima did not mention the possibility of requesting an outside investigation into the company’s conduct.
Allegations against Johnny Kitagawa, a powerful figure in the Japanese entertainment world, have been publicized since 1988. However, the founder of Johnny & Associates, who died in 2019, has never been charged with any crime.
The case was back in the spotlight last month, when Japanese musician of Brazilian descent Kauan Okamoto became the first alleged victim to come forward and have both his name and photo published.
Speaking at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club in Tokyo, Okamoto, who signed a contract with Johnny’s when he was 15, said he had been abused at least 20 times and had seen his colleagues abused.
The musician said Johnny Kitagawa allegedly molested between 100 and 200 minors during his time with the agency, between 2012 and 2016.
After meeting with Okamoto, Julie Keiko Fujishima said she was unsure about the musician’s allegations, but assured that sexual assault allegations involving the agency would “never happen again”.
“We’ve barely started, but he gave us the chance to switch,” said the driver.
A campaign to boycott Johnny’s emerged on social networks, which included companies signing advertising and sponsorship deals with the artists managed by the agency.
However, a protest petition against the agency has already collected thousands of signatures.
Some critics said Fujishima’s apology was not enough, arguing that the executive should hold a press conference and take responsibility by stepping down.
Others criticized the Japanese press for being silent for decades despite the allegations, and suggested they feared retaliation and loss of access to artists managed by Johnny’s.
According to the allegations, Kitagawa regularly invited young singers and dancers, many even minors, to sleep at his mansion, where they were then pressured to have sex with the tycoon.
Source: DN
