By KOSUKE SO/ Correspondent
May 29, 2024 at 16:23 JST
The headquarters of Smile-Up Inc., the former Johnny & Associates Inc., in Tokyo’s Minato Ward (Asahi Shimbun file photo)
PARIS--A U.N. human rights group concluded that concerns remain about assisting the victims of sexual assault committed by the late founder of a talent agency formerly known as Johnny & Associates Inc. (now Smile-Up Inc.).
The case was mentioned in a report on human rights violations in Japan released on May 28th by the United Nations Human Rights Council’s working group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises.
The report said that although Smile-Up has made an effort to some extent, such as offering compensation to victims, “This is still a long way from meeting the needs of the victims who have requested timely remediation, including those whose compensation claims are under appeal.”
But it criticized that such monetary compensation “does not cover legal fees, leaving victims to bear these costs themselves,” and it is “unacceptable.”
The report also lamented that victims have faced difficulties “in seeking mental health-care assistance” through the company’s consultation desk.
The report also stated, “While the working group welcomes the various actions taken by businesses associated with Smile-Up to take on greater accountability, it is still important to carefully consider the human rights implications of disengagement and exercise leverage as a first step.”
This apparently is in reference to the fact that sponsors and TV stations reconsidered their contract with the agency after the sexual abuse of its founder, Johnny Kitagawa, came to light.
The report will be submitted to the meeting of the UNHRC, scheduled to be held from June 18 at the U.N. European Headquarters in Geneva.
The working group that complied the report was established under the guiding principles on businesses and human rights in an international framework approved by the UNHCR in 2011.
Its purpose is to encourage nations to work to prevent human rights violations by corporate activities.
In July and August 2023, experts of the working group visited Japan and interviewed victims regarding the issue of sexual abuse at the talent agency.
Although the report is not legally binding, Japan is required to take appropriate action as a member of the United Nations.
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EDITORIAL: Johnny talent agency’s pledge to compensate victims in doubt
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Johnny’s abuse victims call for transparency in compensation
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U.N. experts to conduct hearing on Kitagawa’s sexual abuse
July 24, 2023
Two more sexual predators at Johnny’s, says Higashiyama
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