Major Brands End Partnerships with Japan Boyband Agency following Sexual Abuse Scandal
In a significant move, major brands including automaker Nissan, beer giant Kirin, and beverage manufacturer Suntory have decided to cut ties with Japan’s biggest boyband agency, Johnny & Associates, due to revelations of sexual abuse committed by its late founder, Johnny Kitagawa. Last week, the agency admitted for the first time that Kitagawa had sexually assaulted young recruits over several decades.
Kirin Holdings, known for its beer products, stated that it would not renew its contract with Johnny & Associates and would halt any new advertisements or promotion campaigns. The company referred to the abuse as a grave human rights issue and expressed dissatisfaction with the agency’s compensation measures, considering them insufficient and slow.
Nissan, one of Japan’s largest automobile manufacturers, announced that it would refrain from developing new sales promotion materials involving the agency. The company emphasized that the agency’s conduct contradicted Nissan’s guidelines on respecting human rights.
Likewise, Suntory, a major player in the beverage industry, declared that it would not enter into new promotional tie-ups with the boyband agency until it was adequately assured that measures were in place to support survivors and prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
The impact of the scandal has extended beyond Kirin, Nissan, and Suntory. The Japanese branches of McDonald’s and brewing group Asahi have also reportedly chosen not to renew their advertisement contracts with Johnny & Associates.
Amid the fallout from these developments, the president of the boyband agency has resigned and publicly acknowledged the sexual abuse committed by its founder, Johnny Kitagawa. This admission marks a significant moment as the agency had long denied allegations against Kitagawa, who passed away in 2019 at the age of 87.
As the news of major brands cutting ties with Johnny & Associates spreads, the repercussions are likely to grow. The scandal serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing and preventing sexual abuse in the entertainment industry. The decisions taken by Kirin, Nissan, Suntory, McDonald’s, and Asahi reflect a growing commitment to take such issues seriously and hold organizations accountable for their actions.
It remains to be seen how Johnny & Associates will respond to the loss of these partnerships and whether additional measures will be implemented to address the abuse and prevent its recurrence. The scandal has not only tarnished the reputation of the agency but has also prompted a larger conversation about the protection of young talents in the entertainment business.
With these major brands severing ties, it marks a turning point for Johnny & Associates and sends a strong message that companies are unwilling to align themselves with organizations implicated in such egregious violations of human rights. The response of other brands and the long-term impact on the agency’s business remain to be seen.
As the consequences of the sexual abuse scandal unfold, it is clear that the entertainment industry is in dire need of reform to create safer environments for aspiring young talents. The hope is that the actions taken by these major brands and the spotlight on this issue will encourage widespread change and protect the rights and wellbeing of those involved in the industry moving forward.
