Photo/Illutration Chiki Ogiue, head of the Social Research Support Organization Chiki Lab, explains the results of the survey on harassment and pressure in the entertainment and media industries at a news conference in Tokyo’s Chiyoda Ward on Feb. 14. (Rina Horikoshi)

A survey prompted by the sexual abuse scandal involving the talent agency previously known as Johnny & Associates Inc. has revealed widespread blacklisting, sexual harassment and abuse of power throughout the media and entertainment industries.

The Social Research Support Organization Chiki Lab, a general incorporated association headed by critic Chiki Ogiue, conducted the survey following the allegations that Johnny Kitagawa had sexually abused hundreds of boys for decades.

The survey results were released on Feb. 14.

Ogiue said at a news conference that the presence of malicious sexual harassment and sexual abuse extended far beyond the Johnny’s talent agency, and that unaddressed complaints, widespread coercion and opaque business practices have come to light.

One performer in her 30s wrote, “When I dodged sexual harassment, job offers stopped. A seasoned performer said to me, ‘Why don’t you engage in ‘pillow sales’ (sleeping with someone for work)? If you don’t, you’ll be frozen out, so you might as well just do it.'”

The organization conducted the survey via email and on the internet to people involved in the media, entertainment agencies, and event companies, along with performers, from Nov. 7 to Jan. 19.

They collected responses anonymously from 275 people.

According to the survey results, 123 respondents answered that they had been banned from appearing on TV programs or doing business, practices that are often described as being “frozen out.”

One hundred and nineteen people responded they had “given special treatment to certain individuals, organizations or groups” such as voluntarily favoring them or refraining from doing their own activities, without being explicitly told to do so.

Fifty-eight respondents said they had “been asked for sexual favors.”

One hundred and thirty-one people responded they had "experienced sexual harassment or sexual assault."

In the free description field, a media worker in her 30s commented, “Around 2017, when I tried to offer a job to a performer who had just become independent from their agency, the TV station advised me to wait a year.”

A talent agency worker in his 60s commented, “From about 40 years ago until recently, we prevented a male idol group from a company that competes with another talent agency from appearing on shows with performers from that agency.”

Chiki Lab had previously asked media companies and related organizations to conduct an investigation into the matter, but they had either not responded or were reluctant to do so.

In light of this, Ogiue said, “We continue to request that each company and organization conduct a fact-finding investigation into harassment and coercion. It is not just limited to the Johnny’s case.”

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