J-pop agency’s new boss Higashiyama also faces allegations after Johnny Kitagawa abuse claims

nme.com:

​​accusations came to light targeting the late Johnny Kitagawa, who was the former head of the Johnny and Associates business.

He was arguably one of the most influential figures in Japan’s entertainment industry and was the gateway to stardom for many young performers.He had faced allegations of sexual misconduct while he was alive and some were proven in a civil court, but he never faced charges.

He continued recruiting and training teenage boys until his death in 2019, aged 87.Now, new boss Noriyuki Higashiyama has also been accused of sexually assaulting numerous young boys, and appeared at a press conference yesterday (September 7), where he was met with questions about the claims.At the event, journalists asked him about allegations published in a book, which claimed that he massaged boys’ crotches, exposed his genitals and told them to “eat my sausage” were true (via BBC News).Here, he responded that he had no recollection of any events that may or may not have happened. “I don’t remember clearly,” he responded. “Maybe it happened, maybe it didn’t.

I have trouble remembering.”He did however acknowledge claims that he had bullied younger performers, saying that it was possible he had been overly strict with them and would not behave in that same manner now.Higashiyama came into the new role for Johnny and Associates recently, after Kitagawa’s niece stepped down from the role.