Johnny & Associates dissolving to focus on victim compensation

TOKYO, Oct 02 (NHK) - Japanese talent agency Johnny & Associates says it's dissolving to focus on compensating the victims of its late founder.

The agency has been at the center of a scandal over sex abuse of young male entertainers involving Johnny Kitagawa.

It also says it will establish a new, separate company to manage its roster of talent.

Higashiyama Noriyuki, new president of the company, said, "We will change from the current name of "Johnny and Associates." We will withdraw from talent management and fostering talents. We will take care of the compensation, the relief and the mental health care of victims who are still suffering. No matter how much time it takes, we will see this through until the very end."

The company says 478 people have come forward as of the end of last month with allegations of abuse involving Kitagawa. Of those, 325 are seeking compensation, which the company will begin distributing from November under a new name: "Smile-Up." ...continue reading

Source: ANNnewsCH

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