Former members of Johnny & Associates Inc. took some comfort in the talent agency’s apology for decades of sexual abuse scandal by its founder but expressed disappointment at the lack of specific measures to pay compensation.

Johnny’s Sexual Assault Victims Association held a news conference at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on Sept. 7 following one given earlier in the day by the agency.

“What we evaluate most is that Julie Keiko Fujishima took the stage to apologize,” said Junya Hiramoto, 57, head of the association.

Fujishima resigned as president to take responsibility for the scandal that shredded the reputation of a talent agency responsible for nurturing some of the biggest boy bands and male idols in Japan.

Her uncle, the late Johnny Kitagawa, is believed to have preyed on hundreds of young boys in cases going as far back as the 1950s. Some of his victims were as young as 13. Kitagawa died in 2019 at the age of 87 without ever being held accountable for his actions.

Noriyuki Higashiyama, who is 56 and once fronted the boy band Shonentai, was named as new president.

Referring to the sordid tales of abuse, he told the news conference, “I think this is the most foolish incident in human history.”

Hiramoto conceded that the “agency’s message about how to bring relief to the victims was clearly conveyed.”

“We hope that what they said at the news conference is not just for show or a lie,” he said. “We want to see the agency grow in a positive way in the future.”

Turning to the agency’s acknowledgment of historic abuse and its apology, Shimon Ishimaru, 56, deputy head of the association, said, “We are pleased that what the association had demanded has been accepted.”

The written request released by the association on Sept. 4 called for direct dialogue with the victims and steps to stand by the victims. It said these measures were essential.

“We want the agency to incorporate the voices of the victims,” Ishimaru said in reiterating the association’s request.

Ishimaru then took issue with a remark Higashiyama made at the news conference in which he said he had heard about Kitagawa’s predator reputation but had dismissed it as a rumor as he was like a “father figure.”

By then, Kitagawa’s behavior was an open secret in the entertainment world.

Ishimaru said he belonged to the agency at the same time as Higashiyama and expressed disbelief that he didn’t know what was going on.

“I have doubts about it,” he said.

An association member in his 50s using the pseudonym Hayashi said: “The agency has not divulged everything. I think there is something that prevents them from speaking out.”

“Nothing has been resolved,” he said.

Guitarist Akimasa Nihongi, 40, cautiously welcomed the agency’s promise to apologize directly to the victims and pay compensation.

“This is just a beginning,” he said. “I want the agency to hold dialogue with the victims and take relief measures in a manner that is mutually acceptable.”

Johnny & Associates has decided to keep the company name unchanged.

“When hearing Johnny in this context, many victims experience flashbacks,” Nihongi said. “It’s insane to keep the name of the person who sexually abused them under the corporate banner.”

The association also said it will file for human rights relief with the Japan Federation of Bar Associations on Sept. 11.

It has not ruled out filing a criminal complaint or a lawsuit abroad.

CORPORATE BACKLASH

In the meantime, a number of big-name companies with longstanding ties to Johnny & Associates are now trying to distance themselves from the agency.

Japan Airlines Co. decided Sept. 7 to suspend using the agency’s entertainers in its advertisements for the time being.

Tokyo Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., which currently features Masaki Aiba in its commercials, announced it would not renew contracts with celebrities who belong to the agency.

The company added that it is considering terminating current commercial contracts.

Asahi Breweries Ltd. runs ads featuring Junichi Okada and Toma Ikuta, and Asahi Soft Drinks Co., does the same with Sho Sakurai and Aiba. Their parent company, Asahi Group Holdings Ltd., said Sept. 8 it will not use celebrities from the agency to promote its products and bolster sales.

If more companies opt to shun the agency’s impressive list of celebrity talent, it could deal a major blow to the organization.

(This article was written by Maki Okubo, a senior staff writer, along with Amane Shimazaki, Aya Shioiri and Ryuichiro Fukuoka.)