Ex-Johnny & Associates president resigns as chairperson of group firms

TOKYO, Sep 11 (NHK) - Japanese firm Smile-Up., formerly known as Johnny & Associates, says representative director Fujishima Julie has stepped down from executive posts of its affiliated firms.

In September of last year, Fujishima resigned as president of the Johnny & Associates talent agency, after late founder Johnny Kitagawa's sexual abuse cases came to light. She is Kitagawa's niece.

She said in October that she would resign as representative director of all affiliated firms.

Smile-Up. says Fujishima stepped down as chairperson of four group firms during the period from May through August. It also says she remains as its representative director but now has no position at its affiliates.

Smile-Up. adds that Fujishima had been paid executive compensation while she was chairperson of the group firms.

The company told NHK that she planned to resign from the posts as soon as her successors were decided, and that executive compensation was paid for her work during the handover.

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