Johnny Kitagawa: the boss of the J-pop agency resigns following the abuse of a predator

Image source, Getty Images

By Shaimaa Khalil and Derek Cai in Tokyo and Singapore

The boss of Japan's biggest pop talent agency has resigned after finally admitting to sexual abuse committed by its late founder, Johnny Kitagawa.

Julie Fujishima resigned from Johnny and Associates on Thursday in a public apology to his uncle's victims.

His departure comes a week after investigators discovered that Kitagawa had abused hundreds of boys and young men over six decades while he was head of the boyband agency.

A BBC documentary this year about abuse has prompted more victims to come forward.

Johnny Kitagawa died in 2019, after always denying any wrongdoing. He was never charged.

On Thursday, his niece and outgoing chief executive, Ms. Fujishima, admitted his abuse for the first time.

"The agency itself and I as an individual acknowledge that sexual abuse by Johnny Kitagawa took place," she said .

“I apologize from the bottom of my heart to his victims.”