Latest news with #Johnny&Associates
Straits Times
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Former Johnny's group Tokio to disband after scandal revelation
Tokio, an all-male group, debuted under Johnny & Associates in 1994. The most recent line-up comprises (from left) Taichi Kokubun, Shigeru Joshima and Masahiro Matsuoka. PHOTO: TOKIO/X Former Johnny's group Tokio to disband after scandal revelation TOKYO – Japanese pop group Tokio, formerly part of the now-defunct boy band empire Johnny & Associates, said on June 25 that they have decided to disband following member Taichi Kokubun's hiatus over a misconduct scandal, according to a statement on their official website. 'We decided it would be difficult to regain trust and continue receiving support as a group,' Tokio posted. Kokubun, 50, was axed from The Tetsuwan Dash – a variety programme aired by Nippon Television Network and fronted by the members of Tokio – on June 20. Following the announcement, Kokubun said he was indefinitely suspending his activities in a statement from his office, also named Tokio. Neither Kokubun nor his office has elaborated on what the breaches entailed, but a source close to the matter said they involved behaviour that could be considered sexual harassment. Tokio debuted under Johnny & Associates in 1994 with five members. They are leader and main guitarist Shigeru Joshima, 54; bassist Tatsuya Yamaguchi, 53; keyboardist Kokubun; drummer Masahiro Matsuoka, 48; and vocalist and guitarist Tomoya Nagase, 46. The all-male group are widely known in Japan for their support for Fukushima following the 2011 accident at the prefecture's nuclear power plant. Tokio helped promote local agricultural products through commercials, as their variety programme had featured them engaging in farming in Fukushima. Yamaguchi's contract with Johnny & Associates was terminated in 2018 after he forcibly kissed a high school girl at his home, while Nagase left Tokio in 2021 to pursue his own endeavours. Following Nagase's departure, the remaining three members of the group established a new company under the name 'Tokio', which operated in affiliation with Johnny & Associates. Johnny & Associates changed its name to Smile-Up in 2023 after hundreds of sexual abuse allegations surfaced against the agency's founder Johnny Kitagawa, who died in 2019 at age 87. Tokio's dissolution came after a recent sexual scandal involving Masahiro Nakai, 52, the former leader of Japanese male idol group Smap. A third-party panel probing Fuji Television Network and its handling of the scandal involving Nakai concluded in March that the former TV host sexually assaulted a female employee, amid a culture of harassment at the major Japanese network. KYODO NEWS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Asahi Shimbun
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Asahi Shimbun
Arashi member seeks apologies from Kitagawa in new book
Kazunari Ninomiya with his book, 'Dokudan to Henken' (Provided by Shueisha Inc.) Kazunari Ninomiya, a member of popular idol group Arashi, said he expects an apology from a now-dead show-business guru whose sex abuse scandal led to the demise of the group's talent agency. In a book to be published on June 17, Ninomiya responded to a question: 'Who do you want to meet most now, and what do you want to hear and get from the person?' He named Johnny Kitagawa, the founder of Arashi's former agency, Johnny & Associates Inc. An internal investigation by the company found that Kitagawa had sexually abused hundreds of boys and young men who belonged to the agency. 'I want Johnny Kitagawa to apologize with all his heart and soul,' Ninomiya wrote in the book 'Dokudan to Henken' (My personal views). 'I want him to apologize for depriving me of the office I had cherished or the place I had belonged to.' Ninomiya, known as Nino among fans, did not directly mention his views of the sex abuse scandal of Kitagawa, who died in 2019 at age 87. But he wrote that he has no objection to dropping the name 'Johnny' from the agency's name. Johnny & Associates announced on Oct. 2, 2023, that it would change its name to Smile-Up Inc. to focus on providing compensation to sex abuse victims and also establish a new company to take over its talent management business. Ninomiya left Johnny & Associates as an individual the same month, becoming one of the first members to review their relationships with the agency. Arashi has suspended group activities since 2020. 'When I thought about my future work, I could not stay with the office, which was unlikely to gain trust and recognition based on global standards,' Ninomiya wrote. 'It is not something for me to speak about lightly because there are victims (of sexual abuse), but I had never thought that office would be gone.' During a meeting with reporters before the publication, Ninomiya was asked why he chose Kitagawa as the person he wanted to meet most. 'If he had not caused others trouble, the office I had been with would not have disappeared and I would not have followed the path I have done,' he said. Referring to Kitagawa as 'aitsu' (that guy), he added, 'Apart from the problem that attracted public attention, I had long thought that something is wrong with him being completely silent.' Ninomiya also said he wants Kitagawa to apologize for the scandal. Although Kitagawa is dead, Ninomiya said he wants to discuss the issue with him 'person to person.' Ninomiya said he believes Kitagawa would apologize if he were to meet with him. In the book to be published by Shueisha Inc., Ninomiya shares his thoughts in response to 100 questions about topics ranging from Arashi to his work after leaving the agency.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Probe accuses ex J-pop star Nakai of sexual assault
An independent panel investigating allegations against an J-pop megastar-turned-TV host accused him on Monday of sexual violence against a Fuji Televsision employee, saying the company's handling of the matter amounted to harassment of the employee. A leading Japanese tabloid magazine reported in December that Fuji TV's celebrity presenter Masahiro Nakai had performed a sexual act without a woman's consent. The accusations led to Nakai being dropped from his shows on multiple networks as well as a mass exit of advertisers from Fuji TV and the resignation of the private channel's bosses. No legal charges have been brought against Nakai, but an independent probe commissioned by Fuji TV to discern what happened reported its findings on Monday. "We concluded that the woman was sexually assaulted by Nakai," lawyer Akira Takeuchi, who heads the panel, told reporters. "We also think what happened was not a private matter between two people, but an extension of work," Takeuchi added. The 52-year-old Nakai, who was interviewed during the probe, reportedly paid the woman 90 million yen ($570,000) over the incident in 2023, and the pair signed a non-disclosure agreement. Nakai -- a former member of the boy band SMAP, which swept charts across Asia in the 1990s and 2000s -- announced his retirement from showbusiness in late January. "I alone am responsible for everything" and "sincerely apologise", he said at the time. He had previously issued a statement saying some of what had been reported was "different from the facts". The panel's 300-page report also said that Fuji TV's handling of the case appeared to be in favour of the superstar and amounted to secondary harassement of the employee. The woman left the company last year after being temporarily hospitalised, the report said. It criticised what it described as the practice of Fuji TV to organise social gatherings to which people are invited based on their gender, age and appearance -- namely young female presenters and staff. "We sincerely apologise to the victim women for the distress they have experienced as a result of the company's inadequate relief measures," President Kenji Shimizu told a news conference on Monday after the probe results. Shimizu also noted that the woman's "supervisors, from the director to the then president, did not regard it as a human rights issue". Takeuchi said "Fuji TV didn't learn from two incidents" -- the suicide of a participant from the "Terrace House" reality TV show, and multiple accusations of sexual assault levied at the late founder of the boy band management empire Johnny & Associates. Johnny & Associates, which has since changed its name, admitted in 2023 that its late founder Johnny Kitagawa had sexually assaulted teenage boys and young men for decades. nf/kaf/dhw
Gulf Today
27-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Top Japanese TV executives quit after misconduct claims against celebrity presenter
The chairman and president of Japan's Fuji Television resigned on Monday, weeks after a celebrity presenter was accused of sexual assault, causing a public relations storm and the mass exit of advertisers. A leading tabloid magazine reported last month that Masahiro Nakai, a J-pop megastar turned TV host, had performed a sexual act without a woman's consent in 2023. The 52-year-old Nakai reportedly later paid the woman 90 million yen ($570,000) and the pair signed a non-disclosure agreement. After network staff were accused of trying to cover up the scandal, dozens of brands, including McDonald's and Toyota, pulled their advertisements from the private broadcaster. As pressure mounted, Fuji TV said its president Koichi Minato and chairman Shuji Kanoh were stepping down. "I would like to apologise sincerely to the women concerned for failing to provide adequate care due to a lack of awareness of human rights," Kanoh told reporters on Monday. "I apologise to the viewers, advertisers, company members, shareholders... for the great concern and inconvenience caused by the series of news reports," he added. Earlier this month, Minato admitted that Fuji TV was aware of the Nakai scandal before it was reported by local media. The company denies claims that its staff were involved in organising Nakai's meeting with the woman, which allegedly took place at the star's home. Nakai — a former member of the boy band SMAP, which swept charts across Asia in the 1990s and 2000s — announced his retirement on Thursday after he was dropped from shows on Fuji TV and other channels. "I alone am responsible for everything" and "sincerely apologise", he said. He had previously issued a statement saying some of what had been reported was "different from the facts." Japan has never seen a #MeToo outpouring on the scale of the United States or other countries, with many victims fearing a public backlash in a society where men still hold most positions of power. But the Nakai scandal is the latest in a series of reckonings for the media and entertainment industries. One involves now-defunct boy band empire Johnny & Associates, to which SMAP belonged. Johnny & Associates, which has since changed its name, admitted in 2023 that its late founder Johnny Kitagawa had sexually assaulted teenage boys and young men for decades. One of Japan's most popular comedians, 61-year-old Hitoshi Matsumoto, has also been accused of sexual assault by two women. While the tabloid reports about Nakai unleashed a coverage frenzy, most Japanese media have taken a cautious approach, referring to the allegations as sexual "trouble" or misconduct. Some media have reported an endemic culture within Japan's entertainment industry of wining and dining the top presenters, with women staffers invited to join such parties. Fuji network president Minato held a short press conference on January 17, after US activist investor Rising Sun Management said it was "outraged" by the lack of transparency. But the public relations attempt backfired after only select media were invited, video was not allowed and Minato declined to answer many questions, citing a fresh investigation. On Monday, Minato addressed the criticism. "We are acutely aware that we have undermined the credibility of the media," he said. He also revealed that he was "the subject of an investigation by a third-party committee." "I will cooperate fully to uncover the truth and prevent similar problems from happening, and to reform the corporate culture," he said. Fuji Television boasted Japan's highest viewer ratings in the 1980s and early 1990s with its soap operas and popular comedy and variety shows. It aired the first domestically produced animation "Astro Boy" in 1963, and has also produced films including Hirokazu Kore-eda's "Shoplifters" which won the 2018 Palme d'Or at Cannes.
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Japan's Fuji TV faces heat over sex allegations
Pressure grew Monday on Fuji Television over an alleged sexual assault by a celebrity presenter, with the Japanese broadcaster set to address media as criticism mounts from advertisers and the public. The scandal centres around TV host and J-pop megastar Masahiro Nakai, 52, who a leading tabloid magazine said carried out a sexual act without a woman's consent in 2023. Nakai reportedly later paid the woman, who worked for Fuji TV, a lump sum of 90 million yen ($570,000) and the pair signed a non-disclosure agreement. Fuji TV's president has said the firm was aware of the scandal before it was reported in local media last month. But the company denied claims that its staff were involved in organising Nakai's meeting with the woman, which allegedly took place at the star's home. Last week the network said it was probing the matter, and it will hold a press conference Monday after a board meeting, with some speculating that executives could step down. "As the 'trouble' has grown to this level, it is necessary to take steps in matters regarding personnel," a Fuji TV external board member, Kiyoto Saito, told public broadcaster NHK. Nakai -- a former member of the boy band SMAP, which swept charts across Asia in the 1990s and 2000s -- announced his retirement on Friday after he was dropped from weekly shows on private network Fuji TV and other channels. "I alone am responsible for everything" and "sincerely apologise" to the woman, Nakai said Friday. Earlier this month he had issued a statement saying some of what had been reported was "different from the facts". - 'Outraged' - Dozens of brands including McDonald's and Toyota have pulled adverts from Fuji TV, leaving only unpaid public service announcements playing in commercial breaks. The scandal follows another huge reckoning for Japan's entertainment industry, surrounding now-defunct boy band empire Johnny & Associates, to which SMAP belonged. Johnny & Associates, which has now changed its name, admitted in 2023 that its late founder Johnny Kitagawa for decades sexually assaulted teenage boys and young men. The allegations against Nakai emerged last month in tabloid magazines including Shukan Bunshun. They have shocked the nation although most other Japanese media more cautiously refer to sexual "trouble" or misconduct. Local media have said Fuji TV would discuss at its board meeting the role of company president Koichi Minato, who has said he became aware of the case soon after it happened. Some reports say Fuji TV staff have long wined and dined entertainers, inviting female staff to join such parties. Minato held a short press conference on January 17, after US activist investor Rising Sun Management said it was "outraged" by Fuji TV's lack of transparency. But this fuelled criticism, because only select media were invited, video recording was not allowed, and Minato declined to answer many questions, citing a fresh investigation. Rising Sun Management, a shareholder in the station's parent company, has called on the network to establish a committee of outside experts, describing Minato's press briefing as "nothing less than a virtual car crash". Fuji Television is a major private broadcaster that boasted the highest viewer ratings in the 1980s and early 1990s with its popular comedy and variety shows, and soap operas. It aired Japan's first domestically produced animation "Astro Boy" in 1963, and has also produced several films, including Hirokazu Kore-eda's "Shoplifters" which won the 2018 Palme d'Or at Cannes. bur-hih/kaf/stu/rsc
