Johnny Kitagawa: J-pop agency boss resigns over predator’s abuse
Johnny Kitagawa: J-pop agency boss resigns over predator's abuse BBC
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The boss of Japan’s biggest pop talent agency resigns over sexual abuse scandal
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By Shaimaa Khalil & Derek Cai, in Tokyo and Singapore
Julie Fujishima resigned from Johnny and Associates on Thursday during a public apology to her uncle’s victims.
Her departure comes a week after investigators found Kitagawa abused hundreds of boys and young men over six decades, as head of the boyband agency.
A BBC documentary this year about the abuse led more victims to come forward.
Johnny Kitagawa died in 2019, having always denied wrongdoing. He never faced charges.
On Thursday, his niece and outgoing chief executive Ms Fujishima acknowledged his abuse for the first time.
“Both the agency itself and I myself as a person recognise that sex abuse by Johnny Kitagawa took place,” she said.
“I apologise to his victims from the bottom of my heart.”
The scandal is parallel in its scale and impact on the industry to that of Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein who was convicted of rape and sexual assault.
Kitagawa was arguably the most influential and powerful figure in Japan’s entertainment industry. His agency was the gateway to stardom for many young men through the years.
Several victims told the BBC’s documentary Predator: The Secret Scandal of J-Pop that they thought their careers would be harmed if they did not comply with Kitagawa’s sexual demands.
Reuters
Rumours and some media reports of his abuse had been known for years, but no concrete action was taken.
The pop mogul never faced criminal prosecution and continued recruiting and training teenage boys until his death four years ago, at the age of 87.
His death was a national event, and even the prime minister at the time sent condolences.
And even though some of the allegations were proven in a civil court when he was alive, Kitagawa successfully sued for defamation on at least one occasion. Most mainstream Japanese media also did not cover the allegations for decades, prompting accusations of an industry cover-up.
Then in March, the BBC’s investigation detailing Kitagawa’s abuse was aired, sparking discussion across Japan and calls for a full investigation. Thousands of J-pop fans also signed a petition lobbying for an inquiry into the agency.
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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
- SDG 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Yes, the article mentions the following indicators:
- Number of victims who come forward to report sexual abuse
- Number of investigations conducted into allegations of sexual abuse
- Number of individuals held accountable for perpetrating sexual abuse
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation. |
|
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children. |
|
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Source: bbc.com
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