TOKYO (AP) – The Japanese boys-band manufacturing firm on the heart of an unfolding sexual abuse scandal, Johnny & Associates, selected three former judges Wednesday to move its effort to compensate a whole bunch of victims.
The Tokyo-based company additionally mentioned it is not going to take its traditional minimize from its performers’ earnings for the subsequent 12 months “in an effort to win back public trust,” and all the cash for reveals and different appearances will go to the people.
The actions come after Johnny’s, as the corporate is understood, acknowledged final week that Johnny Kitagawa, its late founder and former chief, had sexually assaulted at the least a number of hundred teenagers and youngsters over half a century.
A particular on-line web site shall be arrange for individuals who labored underneath Johnny’s to allow them to be financially compensated, the corporate mentioned in a press release. Privacy shall be protected, and the financial quantity shall be labored out in direct talks with every individual, it mentioned.
Kitagawa died in 2019 and was by no means charged.
Julie Keiko Fujishima, his niece, stepped down as chief govt of Johnny’s final week and was changed by Noriyuki Higashiyama, a Johnny’s star. Fujishima stays on the board and owns 100% of the unlisted firm.
Japan has been shaken by the scope and systematic nature of the once-powerful Kitagawa’s acts, as extra folks come ahead to say they had been victimized.
Johnny’s additionally reiterated its promise to strengthen governance and appoint a compliance officer within the firm.
“We recognize that the late Johnny Kitagawa carried out sexual assaults over a long period, and we apologize to the victims from the bottom of our hearts,” the corporate mentioned. “We vow to carry out compensation and prevent a recurrence.”
Various Japanese corporations, together with beverage makers Asahi Group Holdings and Suntory Holdings, have introduced they may now not use Johnny’s stars in adverts or promotions. Among the most recent was Kao Corp., a chemical and cosmetics firm, which cited “considerations for people’s various feelings” on Tuesday.
McDonald’s Japan has additionally mentioned it is going to cease utilizing Johnny’s stars in future offers, however previous adverts that includes them remained on its official web site.
Japanese mainstream media have come underneath assault for remaining silent, regardless of tell-all books and a Japanese Supreme Court ruling in 2004 in favor of the weekly Shukan Bunshun, which Kitagawa had sued for libel.
Public broadcaster NHK did a particular program this week asking producers at the moment why they didn’t cowl the story. They mentioned that they had hesitated as a result of Kitagawa had not been arrested. One individual acknowledged he had “chosen bread over the pen,” which means he had chosen cash over journalistic integrity. Johnny’s stars are extraordinarily standard, resulting in sponsorship income and hit TV reveals.
A bunch of 9 victims arrange this 12 months is demanding an apology and compensation. They went to the Japan Federation of Bar Associations on Monday to ask for its backing. They have additionally gone to Parliament.
The U.N. Working Group on Business and Human Rights has urged the Japanese authorities to help the compensation efforts. Its investigation, in addition to the corporate’s personal probe, discovered Kitagawa routinely molested kids, principally at his luxurious residence, after they auditioned as backup dancers or took classes. One sufferer mentioned he was raped 200 instances.
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By YURI KAGEYAMA Associated Press
Source: Courthouse News Service