Starto Entertainment launched an official website on April 10 to declare the start of operations and make public its corporate structure. The website says it has contracts with 295 performers in 28 groups, and 185 staff members. It says many of its staff previously worked for Johnny & Associates, but they were not involved in sexual abuse.
First concert
Starto Entertainment held its first concert in Tokyo on the same day the website opened. The event drew tens of thousands of spectators.
Some fans said that although the sex abuse scandal was unforgivable, they would continue to support the new agency's pop stars who were active with the former firm.
While on stage at the venue, Murakami Shingo, a member of the group SUPER EIGHT, said joining Starto Entertainment is a new start for the band.
Compensation for over 900 people who claimed to be victims
Johnny & Associates changed its name to Smile-Up. on October 17, 2023.
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Johnny & Associates to change name, focus on compensation (October)
Smile-Up. is paying compensation to people who claim they were sexually abused.
The company says 973 people had come forward as of March 29, and that it had notified 413 of them of the amounts of compensation after confirming their claims.
Smile-Up. manages the fan club
Starto Entertainment says it has no capital relationship with Smile-Up. But the talent agency has not made clear how its management is separate from Smile-Up.
Fan club management is one example of how Smile-Up. is still involved with the agency. Rules for the club membership revised on April 10, show that Smile-Up. is still in charge, including collecting membership fees.
Lawyer and corporate governance expert, Takada Tsuyoshi, says the matter with the fan club, which is assumed to have about 10 million members, would lead the public to assume Starto Entertainment has not been able to totally eliminate the influence of Johnny & Associates. He says Starto Entertainment must strive to refute such views by explaining proactively and in detail how it is separate from Smile-Up.
Victim disappointed in Smile-Up. president
Hashida Yasushi, a former Johnny & Associates performer, is one victim who accepted Smile-Up.'s compensation offer. Hashida says he still suffers from having come forward about the sexual abuse, and that he is disappointed with the company's response.
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Probe finds Johnny & Associates sexually abused boys over decades (August 2023)
Hashida says that after coming forward, he was unable to find work as a dancer and actor. He also says people still tell him to "Keep your mouth shut" or "Don't say anything" even after asking such individuals via social media to stop.
He says he cannot understand why Smile-Up.'s president, Higashiyama Noriyuki, referred to freedom of speech when talking about the malicious slander directed at the victims. Hashida says he wants Higashiyama to tell the slanderers to stop.
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Johnny & Associates admits founder's abuse (September 2023)
In a BBC interview in March, Higashiyama disclosed that two Johnny & Associates staff members had sexually abused clients. He said he believed the company must be changed, while taking that into account as well.
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Panel investigating Johnny & Associates outlines plan (June)
In the interview, Higashiyama promised to appear at news conferences and make himself available to reporters. But he has not spoken to Japanese media, including NHK, over the past six months.
Organization aims to eradicate sexual abuse
Five former members of Johnny & Associates have set up an organization that will work to eliminate sexual violence against children.
Iida Kyohei, Oshima Yukihiro, Nagato Koji, Nakamura Kazuya, and Nihongi Akimasa say Johnny Kitagawa sexual assaulted them when they were teenagers.
They held an event in Tokyo earlier this month to discuss issues regarding the sexual abuse of children. More than 100 people attended.
Nihongi Akimasa said there were so many victims so it should not end in a scandal involving only the entertainment industry. He added that the damage from sexual abuse does not go away even if compensation is paid.
How broadcasters deal with ex-Johnny & Associates performers
Meanwhile, NHK says it will not make new arrangements with the two companies until it has confirmed that victims have been compensated and preventative measures have been implemented.
The public broadcaster also says it will decide whether to make new requests after reviewing the measures taken by Starto Entertainment and Smile-Up.