Following the BBC’s revelation in 2023 about Johnny Kitagawa, revered as the godfather of J-pop, and his extensive history of physically abusing young boys within his talent agency, journalist Mobeen Azhar has delved into the aftermath of Japan’s largest child abuse scandal in its entertainment industry.
In an exclusive interview, Smile-Up’s CEO, Noriyuki Higashiyama, acknowledges that staff members may have perpetrated abuse along with Kitagawa himself. Higashiyama, a former talent, granted the BBC his first interview, asserting that Smile-Up’s internal investigation implicated staff besides Kitagawa. However, he expressed unawareness of survivors’ wishes to pursue legal action.
Kitagawa’s legacy has shifted significantly post-revelations, prompting a United Nations task force investigation and legislative reforms.