UN Human Rights Council: "Hundreds Sexually Abused by Japanese Entertainment Agency Johnny's"

Tokyo Investigation Results Announced
"Japanese Government Must Secure Investigation and Relief Measures"

The United Nations Human Rights Council announced the results of an investigation indicating that the number of male trainees who were victims of sexual violence by the founder of the major Japanese entertainment agency 'Johnny's Office' (hereafter Johnny's) could reach hundreds.

On the 5th, the Mainichi Shimbun reported that experts from the UN Human Rights Council's Working Group on Business and Human Rights held a press conference at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo the previous day, stating, "There are deeply concerning allegations that hundreds of Johnny's entertainers were subjected to sexual exploitation and abuse," and "Japanese media companies have reportedly been involved in concealing this misfortune for decades. The Japanese government must take the initiative to secure investigations and remedies."

The UN Human Rights Council's Working Group on Business and Human Rights announced the results of its investigation into allegations of sexual violence against trainees by the founder of the Japanese entertainment agency "Johnny's Office" at the Japan Press Club in Tokyo on the 4th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

The working group estimated the number of victims to be in the hundreds based on preliminary investigations and interviews and surveys conducted in Japan from the 24th of last month until the day before. Mainichi reported that the working group did not disclose detailed information.

They criticized the Japanese media and entertainment industry, stating, "There is a lack of protection under labor laws and a clear legal definition of harassment. This has created a culture that overlooks sexual violence and harassment." Regarding the team established by Johnny's to prevent recurrence, they expressed skepticism about its transparency and legitimacy.

Following the working group's announcement, Johnny's expressed its position, saying, "We solemnly accept the views, sincerely face those who have reported harm, and will continue respectful dialogue." The group representing the victims of Johnny's sexual harassment issue demanded that Johnny's acknowledge the harm and apologize.

Johnny Kitagawa, the late founder of Johnny's, established the agency in 1962 and led Japan's idol market by nurturing famous idol groups such as SMAP and Arashi. He passed away in 2019, but during his lifetime, it became known that he committed sexual crimes against numerous aspiring male idols, sparking controversy.

In March of this year, the British public broadcaster BBC aired a documentary titled "The Predator of Japanese J-Pop," reigniting the issue of Kitagawa's sexual violence. Subsequently, testimonies from victims emerged one after another, intensifying public criticism. In May, Keiko Fujishima, Johnny's president and Kitagawa's niece, bowed her head and said, "I sincerely apologize for causing turmoil in the world due to the founder's sexual violence issue."

The working group plans to submit a report based on this investigation to the UN Human Rights Council in June next year.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.