Gov't to hold ministerial meeting on Johnny's talent agency sex abuse claims

Too late...as always.

Relevant ministries and agencies are expected to discuss how to avoid similar incidents and support people allegedly sexually abused by the company's late founder Johnny Kitagawa, who was one of the most powerful figures in Japan's entertainment industry.

Weak government-sponsored white-washing.

Given Johnny's deep ties to the Japan Inc./LDP establishment you do not need to conspiracy theorize to see there could have been many others complicit.

And this is all coming about thanks to Mobeen Azhar on the BBC.

https://youtu.be/rmF6mDZjZZw

And yet the agency is still called "Johnny's", proud as you like.

Imagine the show "Jim'll Fix It" still running in the UK, but with a different presenter...!

This shows how seriously the Japanese authorities take these allegations.

And yet the agency is still called "Johnny's", proud as you like.

Imagine the show "Jim'll Fix It" still running in the UK, but with a different presenter...!

This shows how seriously the Japanese authorities take these allegations.

The Japanese authorities (which I presume you mean the government) has no authority or say-so over what the agency names itself.

dagon

Today 04:59 pm JST.

Weak government-sponsored white-washing

Isn't white washing race based used in acting (casting whites instead of other races)?

dagon

Today 04:59 pm JST.

Weak government-sponsored white-washing

Isn't white washing race based used in acting (casting whites instead of other races)?

You have been brainwashed methinks.

Was Kimura Takuya of SMAP also sexually abused by Johnny Kitagawa?

I remember back in the late 80s someone mentioning to me how the head of Johnnys was a predator to all those boy bands that were popping up back then.

I couldn't help thinking for the last 40 years or so how many of the boys in these boy bands, SMAP, Arashi, V6 etc. had been Rogered by him.

I also couldn't help thinking if this was so well known, why wasn't he being prosecuted for it. Here we are 40 years later with it finally being brought up by the boys.

Japan should be ashamed of itself. Everyone knew about this.

桜川雪

Isn't white washing race based used in acting (casting whites instead of other races)?

It is usually used as a slang term for "cover-up", as it was in this instance.

In Japan, if you don't speak then it's as good as it didn't happen. There's no clear concept of "sin" in Japan, while the concept of "shame" is so strong. For that reason, these poor boy victims had no choice but to keep quiet to hide the "shame".

Johnny is dead

But lots of young boys and girls are still trying to become idols.

Maybe the gov. should be looking at other companies (Akimoto, etc.)

Please do not tell me that the government or responsible officials were NOT aware or had NO Clue, everyone involved waited tell he died then start investigating, how convenient.

whether the government can take steps to prevent people with influence over young people from coercing them into sexual acts.

Whether? Can?

Not when? And, why not long ago?

Something feels like the government perpetually drags its feet over protecting kids from voyeurs and predatory paedophiles. So much for conservative family values.

These alleged predators, escape retribution.

I contend J** **Labour Policy is commiserate in allowing predators to, if you excuse the phase to fill there boots freely.

Only a full independent judicial led inquiry, granting anonymity to past alleged persons/celebrities' to openly under oath revel there experiences, the sexual harassment within the entertainment industry can fully address the predicament.

Johnny's talent agency sex abuse claims must not be a end, only a beginning.

.

This could the tip of the iceberg....

How many more have been goaded, forced, betrayed, groomed into sexually acts against there will?

It is a valid request

The LDP used to get away with ignoring these issues.

After Abe's assassination, their new playbook is to vow to address them.

How much and to what degree they actively follow through remains to be seen.

The order of blame should be:

Pedophile Johnny and his enablers at Johnny’s Inc.

The mainstream Japanese media, for knowing and then trying to hide it. As much as possible, anyway.

The Japanese public who knew, and for the sake of social harmony decided to let it go as a matter of “Japanese culture”.

“Ogura said at a press conference on Tuesday that careful consideration must be given when considering amending the law as the current legislation only encompasses abusive acts by parents or guardians and does not include abuse by anyone else.”

Therein lies the problem, the legislation needs to cover abuse by anyone, regardless of relationship. Does not require ‘careful consideration’ at all in my book.

Amend the laws and protect the children/minors.

If there is smoke, there is always fire!

There is no fire without smoke!!

Only a couple decades late....

You can bet big yen that sexual harassment/abuse goes on at the girl idol agencies, as well. Probably at an even bigger level. The same for young women at modeling, acting, and other talent agencies.

Glad this is finally out in the public. I often think the Japanese see this type of scandal abroad - Jackson, Saville etc - and think "would never happen in Japan".

Could this be the beginning of an operation Yew Tree?

This is not over, this needs "fixing":

David BrentToday  05:21 pm JST

... Imagine the show "Jim'll Fix It" still running in the UK, but with a different presenter...

Now imagine that Johnny's Jimusho is still going, and among its performers is a Jimmy Savile impersonator called DJ Koo who wears a blonde wig, giant sunglasses and performs on children's TV. Now imagine that at least some of the people who worked at Johnny's Jimusho, and allowed the predatory paedophile Johnny Kitagawa to get away with his illegal sexual activities, still work there, and none of them have been punished, but they think they have got away with it all now that he's dead, by issuing a limp apology.

Now imagine you are a young child with singing talent. Your best career chance would be to sign to Johnny's Jimusho, which is still going.

Now imagine you are that child's parents. Should we let our children join that agency? Should we investigate what Johnny's Jimusho did and whether the people working there have changed? What safeguards can Japanese parents expect for their children?

If the Japanese government does not investigate this, is it not taking responsibility for every case of abuse that young people suffer at the hands of Johnny's Jimusho and other agencies like it?

We may think that Japan's situation is worse but I believe this is a universal thing in general

In Hollywood for example

It took years before Harvey Weinstein was finally held responsible for his actions

There are always desperate people will do/give anything or agree to anything to get a job or become famous

And there are always these people who will take advantage of these kinds of people

Maybe couple or a few will speak out but i guarantee you most will keep their mouths shut

The Justice Ministry must be too busy prosecuting all the Olympic graft cases.... /s

The Gender Equality Bureau of the Cabinet Office, which is responsible for tackling sex crime, as well as the Children and Families Agency, and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, along with other relevant organizations, likely will join the gathering, the source said.

@Futaro Gamagori

It took years before Harvey Weinstein was finally held responsible for his actions

Harvey Weinstein went after adult women, not minor boys.

It's Epstein who went after minor girls but he was in finance, not entertainment.

Futaro, Samit, I believe we need to try to protect every victim of abuse, especially sexual abuse, whatever their nation, age or gender. Here, we are talking about young male victims of Johnny Kitagawa. The abuser is dead, but his victims are still suffering. Some did become famous, but as the BBC documentary showed, they still suffer. As with Jimmy Savile, Harvey Weinstein, Jeffrey Epstein, Johnny Kitagawa and others, every one of those victims was left to suffer by people who knew what was happening and failed to protect them. When our children are being abused, keeping your mouths shut should be a crime.