Japan’s leading boyband company has issued a public apology in response to sexual assault allegations towards its late founder, Johnny Kitagawa. Fans are now urging the corporate, Johnny and Associates, to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.
In a latest statement, Kauan Okamoto, a Japanese-Brazilian singer, claimed that he was repeatedly molested by Kitagawa throughout his four-year tenure with the agency, which started when he was 15 years outdated. Kitagawa, who passed away in 2019 on the age of 87, was never criminally charged over these accusations.
Julie Fujishima, Kitagawa’s niece and present president of Johnny and Associates, addressed the allegations in a video and written assertion released yesterday evening. Fujishima apologised “sincerely” for any hassle triggered in connection to the allegations and to the accusers.
“Obviously, we don’t consider there was no problem. As a business and as an individual, I absolutely don’t tolerate these acts,” her written assertion stated, referring to the documentary and Okamoto’s testament.
Fujishima additionally acknowledged the problem in determining the reality of particular person allegations, as Kitagawa is not alive to verify or deny them. She added that she was unaware of the alleged abuse throughout her time as a long-term govt on the agency.
Don’t miss out called Penlight expressed dissatisfaction with the company’s decision to concern online statements as a substitute of holding a press convention, leaving many questions unanswered. The group is asking for a full investigation into the matter and for the corporate to take accountability and apologise to the victims of sexual violence..