THE ASAHI SHIMBUN
October 31, 2023 at 18:55 JST
Noriyuki Higashiyama, the president of Smile-Up Inc., formerly known as Johnny & Associates Inc. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)
The president of the company formerly known as Johnny & Associates Inc. will not head a new firm to manage performers signed with the scandal-ridden talent agency as previously announced, sources said.
Noriyuki Higashiyama became the new president of Johnny & Associates in September after the showbiz giant admitted that its late founder Johnny Kitagawa sexually abused teenage performers of his male-only talent agency over the decades.
The company then renamed itself Smile-Up Inc., pledging to focus on compensating victims of Kitagawa’s abuse. Smile-Up has vowed to be dissolved once it has settled with all its victims.
Higashiyama had said on Oct. 2 that he would soon establish and head a new, separate talent agency that would manage performers who belonged to Johnny & Associates.
Higashiyama, 57, a renowned Johnny & Associates actor and singer, faces allegations of past sexual harassment and bullying himself.
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