Johnny & Associates, Inc.[a][1][3] was a Japanese
talent agency formed by
Johnny Kitagawa in 1962, which managed groups of male
idols known as Johnny's.[b][4][5] Until 2019, it was infamous for its strict policies involving their foreign distribution of music, as well as their strict control and influence over the men and boys whose careers the company managed.
In the wake of continuing
sexual abuse allegations directed against Kitagawa, who died in 2019, his niece, Julie Keiko Fujishima, stepped down as president in September 2023.[6] On October 2, 2023, Johnny & Associates announced that they would be splitting into two entities:[3][7]Smile-Up, a firm focused on reparations for Kitagawa's sexual abuse cases,[8] and Starto Entertainment, a talent agency managing the acts that had been managed under Johnny & Associates.[9][10]
History
1962–1989
In 1962, Kitagawa launched his first group,
Johnnys.[5] In its early days, Kitagawa's agency rented an office space owned by
Watanabe Productions, operating under its management as well. Six years later,
Four Leaves, a
boy band created by the agency, became successful. Four Leaves left a lasting legacy to the industry because it was produced as a "
Group sounds band that does not play instruments", a product of Kitagawa's taste for emphasizing the attributes, personality and physical abilities of a performer.[5] Kitagawa formed a number of other successful acts, such as
Masahiko Kondō, whose song "Orokamono" (愚か者, Fool), won the 1987
Japan Record Award,[11] and
Hikaru Genji, the first Johnny group with three singles on the Japanese
Oricon yearly chart in 1988.[12]
Johnny & Associates played an integral role in the post-war growth of Japanese boy bands and the
idol industry. While there were idols since the 1970s who were able to sing and dance at the same time, the agency popularized the idea of performance-oriented idols in the 1980s. Kitagawa himself was credited with pioneering the idol system where trainees (known as Johnny Jr.) are admitted into the agency at a young age to train in singing, dancing, and acting until their debut.[13]
1990–2009
Around the 1990s, Johnny & Associates' marketing strategy changed to include variety show hosting as a specialty in their talents.[14][15] At the time, the agency focused on marketing the singing and dancing talents of their acts until they would retire around age 25 as they aged out of the industry.[14] Taking note of former
Shibugakitai member Hirohide Yakumaru's success as an MC on Hanamaru, Johnny & Associates subsequently trained their more recent groups to have public personas as well.[14]
During the 1990s Johnny & Associates began declining nominations from the Japan Record Awards and the
Japan Academy Awards, partly due to a dispute about the musical genre of one of their groups at the
32nd Japan Record Awards.[16] Another reason cited was that the nominations would engender competition among Johnny groups[16] and with other nominees.[17]
In 1997 the agency founded a record label, Johnny's Entertainment.[4] Also, a
New Year's Eve countdown concert is held live on
Fuji TV from the
Tokyo Dome since 1996 known as Johnny's Countdown Live with a different theme each year.
In 2006,
Oricon sued journalist Hiro Ugaya when he was quoted in a Cyzo magazine article suggesting that the company manipulated its statistics to benefit certain management companies and labels (specifically, Johnny & Associates). Ugaya condemned the action as a
strategic lawsuit against public participation,[18] and it was later dropped by Oricon with no charges filed against the journalist.
In 2007, a temporary Johnny's Jr. group,
Hey! Say! 7, broke a record as the youngest male group to ever top Oricon charts, with an average age of 14.8 years. Later that year,
Hey! Say! JUMP broke a record as the largest group to debut in
Johnny's history, with ten members.[19][20]
By 2008, Johnny & Associates was known as the "top 3" recording artist companies.[21][failed verification]
2010–2023
On November 19, 2010, Masahiko Kondo received the Best Vocal Performance award at the
52nd Japan Record Awards; Kondo was the first Johnny recipient since
Ninja refused to perform live at the 1990 awards.[22]
On September 18, 2011, Kitagawa received
Guinness World Record awards for the most number-one singles (232) and the most concerts (8,419 from 1974 to 2010) produced by an individual. His shows have been attended by an estimated 48,234,550 people.[23]
In 2018, Johnny & Associates, especially Kitagawa, who had been previously known for strictly controlling access to their acts,[24] established a
YouTube channel for their trainee groups, Johnny's Jr.[25][26] In January 2019,
Hideaki Takizawa was named the president of a new subdivision of the company called Johnny's Island, where he would manage and oversee the debut of trainee group
Snow Man.[27] After Kitagawa's death on July 9, 2019,[28] his niece, Julie Keiko Fujishima was made the new president of the agency, while Takizawa and Suguru Shirahase became the vice presidents and Kitagawa's older sister, Mary Yasuko Fujishima, became the executive director.[29][30][31]
After that, Johnny & Associates made their discography available on streaming platforms and opened social media accounts.[32][33][34][35][36] On November 1, 2022, Takizawa resigned from his position as vice president and departed from Johnny & Associates.[37] Yoshihiko Inohara, a former member of
V6, replaced Takizawa as vice president.[37]
On 4 September 2023 it was announced that Julie Fujishima would step down as president of the company and
Noriyuki Higashiyama would become president.[38][39][40]
2023-present: Company rebranding
In the wake of continuing
sexual abuse allegations directed against Kitagawa, who died in 2019, his niece, Julie Keiko Fujishima, stepped down as president in September 2023.[6] On October 2, 2023, Johnny & Associates announced that they would be splitting into two entities:[3] Smile-Up, a firm focused on reparations for Kitagawa's sexual abuse cases, and Starto Entertainment, a talent agency managing existing acts under Johnny & Associates.
Starto Entertainment, which takes the place of the entertainment side of J&A, will start activities in April, with an all-agency concert series, with
Arashi's
Jun Matsumoto as concert director. Groups such as
Sexy Zone,
Super Eight and
West. will have the opportunity to perform before their fans after their name change takes effect.[41] Under the name of "We are! Let's get the party STARTO!!", the concert series will take place over three days, in Tokyo Dome on April 10 and at Kyocera Dome Osaka on May 29 and 30, with the confirmed appearances of
NEWS, Super Eight,
KAT-TUN,
Hey! Say! JUMP,
Kis-My-Ft2,
A.B.C-Z, WEST.,
King & Prince,
SixTones,
Snow Man,
Naniwa Danshi and
Travis Japan.[42]Sexy Zone's performance is yet to be confirmed, as their new name and situation will be revealed until the beginning of April.[43]
Charity activities
In 1998, Johnny's groups
KinKi Kids,
V6 and Tokio, formed a special charity-oriented group called
J-Friends, to raise funds for the 1995 Hanshin and Awaji earthquake victims. The group continued with several activities, until their disbandment in 2003.
The agency continued its fundraising project, now with Marching J,[44][45] for the
Tōhoku earthquake victims in 2011. Its first event was held on April 1–3.
Hey! Say! JUMP,
SMAP,
Tokio,
KinKi Kids,
V6,
Arashi,
Tackey and Tsubasa,
NEWS,
Kanjani8,
KAT-TUN and Johnny's Juniors participated in the fundraiser, which included talk sessions and
a cappella performances.[46] The agency planned to hold one fundraiser per month for a year. The next event, a baseball tournament featuring Johnny's Jrs., was held on May 29.[47] After the
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, Johnny & Associates cancelled or postponed 18 concerts, including shows by
Tomohisa Yamashita and
Tackey & Tsubasa. Generators, trucks and 2,000 litres (530 US gal) of gasoline which would have been used at the concerts were donated to the relief effort.[48]
Charity activities continued as Johnny's "Smile Up! Project". On May 13, 2020, it was reported that 76 of Johnny's artists from 15 groups, including V6,
Arashi,
News and others, would be included in the temporary unit "Twenty Twenty", as part of Johnny's charity project with support activity to prevent the spread of
COVID-19. This group sang the song "Smile", written by
Mr. Children's
Kazutoshi Sakurai,[49][50][51][52] which was released as a single in
digital form on June 22, and on
CD on August 12.[53][54]Yuya Tegoshi was taken off the grouping, due to reports of his failing to keep orders to stay at home during the emergency situation in April. Later on, it was revealed that his contract had been terminated, and that he had left the company.[55]
Activities continued on the end-of-year period with a new awareness campaign against COVID-19 and the Flu, starting on November 24. "Aitsu",[56][57] the new project, revolves around a series of movies continuing the health measure awareness used from the beginning of the pandemic, like the correct form of washing hands, the continuous use of a mask, among others. The movies were distributed around Japan and were included in the Smile Up! Project's social network accounts.
Even in the middle of the turmoil surrounding the agency, as Smile Up, they posted a new charity event to help out the people affected in the
Noto Peninsula earthquake that happened as 2024 rolled in. On January 4, the company announced through its official website that it would set up donation boxes at concert and theater performance venues where its artists would perform, and its XXXXX Pop Up Stores in Shibuya, Nagoya, Osaka and Fukuoka, in order to support the victims of the "Reiwa 6 Noto Peninsula Earthquake". "By conducting this fundraising campaign as part of "Smile Up! Project", we aim to provide continued support. The entire SMILE-UP Group sincerely prays for the earliest possible recovery and reconstruction so that everyone affected by the disaster can return to their normal lives."[58] One day later, they also posted information on the donation of 50 million yen to the Noto Peninsula Earthquake Disaster Relief Fund.[59] Starto will continue with charity projects as part of their 2024 activities, with the single "We are", sung by the special unit "STARTO for you", formed by 75 members of 14 groups. The single will be released in digital form on April 10, and as CD on June 12, with sales of the single going to Noto Earthquake relief funds. Additional information is expected to be released at a later date.[60][61]
Views and controversies
Accessibility to talents
The business model of Johnny & Associates has an agency at the center in most areas in which it operates; the company has had its own recording, publishing, producing, filmmaking, merchandising, and advertising arms, a vertical integration that parallels Japanese keiretsu system, and for most of its history transmitted information directly to fans exclusively through the Family Club, a tightly controlled, membership-based platform on which its artists and their fans can communicate and share information with each other. During the 20th century, the F.C. was largely maintained through
mail and
fax.[62][63]
Johnny & Associates exercises strict control over their talent's likeness, to the point where photographs were initially not even posted on the company's official website and silhouettes were used in place of actual imagery on official websites of films and television in which the talent appeared.[13][5][24][21] In addition to this, Johnny & Associates until recently did not use social media, limiting digital contents to paid subscription services like Johnny's Web.[64] In 2011, Johnny & Associates began posting photos of their talent on their official website.[65][better source needed]
In January 2018, Johnny & Associates lifted their photo ban completely and allowed the press to post approved images of their talent more freely.[66] In March 2018, Johnny & Associates launched a
YouTube channel for selected Johnny's Jr. groups.[26] Since Kitagawa's death in 2019, Johnny & Associates have expanded accessibility for their talent.[32] This includes the opening of an official Twitter account for itself (which shares information about Johnny's talent, mostly in English), as well as different social media accounts for the artists.[67][68][69][70]
Sexual abuse cases
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In 1988, former
Four Leaves member Koji Kita alleged in his book Dear Hikaru Genji that he had been propositioned by Kitagawa and that Kitagawa operated a
casting couch.[5] In 1996, former Johnny Jr.'s member Junya Hiramoto alleged in his book All About Johnnys that Kitagawa shared the boys' communal dormitory and insisted on washing their backs at bath time.[5] In 2001, Shūkan Bunshun ran a series of similar sexual harassment allegations along with claims that Kitagawa had allegedly forced the boys to drink alcohol and smoke.[5][13][71][72] Johnny & Associates sued Shukan Bunshun for defamation, and in 2002, the
Tokyo District Court ruled in favor of Kitagawa, awarding him ¥8.8 million in damages.[5][13] In 2003, the fine was lowered to ¥1.2 million on the basis that the drinking and smoking allegations were defamatory, while the sexual harassment claims were not.[13] Kitagawa filed an appeal to the
Supreme Court of Japan. It was rejected in 2004.[73] The case saw minimal coverage in Japan, with many journalists attributing it to Kitagawa's influence on Japanese mass media.[24][25]
2023 BBC documentary and new claims
On March 7, 2023, the
BBC released a documentary centered on the sexual harassment claims against Kitagawa titled Predator: The Secret Scandal of J-Pop. In response, Johnny & Associates released a statement stating that they were working on creating "transparent organizational structures" that will be announced later in the year.[74] Due to the release of the documentary, reports from books and magazines dated back to the 1960s began to surface, with the first report appearing in Weekly
Sankei's 29 March 1965 issue.[75]
On April 12, 2023, musician and former Johnny's Jr. member Kauan Okamoto claimed Kitagawa had abused him since he was 15, and that he was not the only victim. As a response, Johnny & Associates stated they were working on transparency from within company and were working with their affiliates, to ensure thorough compliance with laws and strengthen organizational governance. The presidents of television networks
Fuji TV,
NHK,
TV Asahi, and
Nippon TV all stated in press conferences that they did not tolerate any kind of sexual violence and were conducting internal investigations. The networks continued to work with talent from Johnny & Associates.[76][77][78][79][80]
On May 14, 2023, Johnny Kitagawa's niece and company head Julie Keiko Fujishima issued an apology to all talent who had been allegedly sexually abused by Kitagawa. Fujishima, who was chosen as director by the time of the original allegations reported by Bunshun in 1999, claimed not knowing any other information than that of the role she had in the office (Kitagawa produced the talent and Mary Kitagawa was in charge of all the management of the company). She accepted responsibility for her lack of knowledge,[81] and added that she was committed to implementing measures addressing the victim's needs.[82] Fujishima's statement did not comment on the veracity of the claims.[83] Penlight, a Johnny's fan group, called on Johnny & Associates to continue investigating the harassment allegations, claiming that Fujishima's statement left many questions unanswered.[83][84] Two days after the statement was released, another Johnny's Jr., Yasushi Hashida, told a meeting held at the
National Diet that he was sexually abused by Kitagawa around two times when he was 13 years old.[85]
On 29 September, in a report done by
TBS's News Dig, former member of
Kis-My-Ft2, Kyohei Iida, testified that the true reason of his leaving the group and the agency was not his studies, as claimed before, but the repeated assault by Kitagawa from when he entered the agency at just 13 years old until the age of 18. ``While I am a victim, I feel that, by silently condoning this, I may have created other victim(s)", he said.[86]
As of 2 October 2023, a reported number of 478 persons have claimed to have been victimized by Kitagawa, of those, 325 sought compensation. Only 150 have been confirmed to have belonged in the company.[87] Updated numbers as of 16 February, mention 957 claimants, 282 notified the details of compensation, 246 have accepted the details, and 201 have been paid.[88] One of those who were offered compensation is Shimon Ishimaru, a former Johnny's Jr. and representative of the "Association of Parties with Johnny's Sexual Abuse Problems". On 8 February he met with members of the victim relief committee set up by the agency. "The road to get to this point has been very painful and long. As a committee to provide relief to the victims, rather than a committee to provide compensation, I would like to see a flexible response that is close to the feelings of the victims." he said to the press after his meeting.[89] On the 21st, it was reported that he had been offered 18 million yen in compensation by the victim relief committee established by the agency. Ishimaru was not satisfied with the amount offered.[90]
Independent investigation, results and consequences
An independent probe established by Johnny & Associates reported the findings of their investigation on August 29, 2023, saying that Kitagawa repeatedly committed sexual abuse from the early 1970s until the mid-2010s. They recommended that Fujishima resign from her post as company president, and that the company must accept the claims of abuse and make amends for them.[91] Johnny & Associates held a press conference on September 7 to formally acknowledge Kitagawa's abuse for the first time. Fujishima resigned from her post as chief executive, while remaining with the company as a representative director. Former Johnny's talent
Noriyuki Higashiyama took over as CEO, saying that he would dedicate the rest of his life to "regain the trust lost due to the deep mental and physical wounds Mr. Kitagawa inflicted on his victims."[6][92]
As a response to the investigation's findings, it was reported that commercial sponsors including
Tokio Marine Nichido and
Asahi Group would cancel their contracts with Johnny's talent, either immediately or at the end of the contracted period, while others, like
Japan Airlines, would suspend commercials and promotional material with such talent until further notice.
Kosé and
Morinaga were considering their actions regarding the company's reforms and initiatives.[93][94][95] Other commercial sponsors also considering whether to continue or not hiring Johnny's talent as their image are
P&G Japan,
Aflac Japan,
Fumakilla,
Open House Group,
Toridoll Holdings,
Rohto Pharmaceutical,
McDonald's,
Tiffany & Co. Japan, and
Tokyu Livable.[96] A
Kenei Pharmaceutical representative said: "If the hired talent has been victimized, they will suffer twice if we terminate the contract," and are considering to continue using them until the contract expires.[97]
NHK said in a statement that they took the matter seriously, and that they would "work harder to ensure that human rights are more respected in the broadcasting industry" when it comes to using performers who best fit program content and production. The public broadcaster added that it did not fully acknowledge the sexual abuse matter despite various weekly magazine articles about the allegations and a
Tokyo High Court ruling in 2004.[98] A few weeks later, NHK announced that it would suspend new contracts with Johnny's performers–including for their annual
New Year's Evetelevision specialKōhaku Uta Gassen–until the company has implemented compensation and recurrence prevention measures, while current contracts with such talent would continue to be honored.[99] On November 15, after a press conference, one of the major changes in programming was announced. NHK's Media Director General, Hiroo Yamana, announced that the program "The Shōnen Club" would overcome a drastic change. The program, which was hosted by and with performances from members of Johnny's Jr., would be renamed "ニュージェネ!" (New Generation!), and would now accept talent from other agencies, giving the opportunity to "the new generation of idols, artists, and performers who dream of becoming future stars". The start date and time of the program's broadcast has not yet been decided. Adding to this, "The Shōnen Club Premium" would also be renamed, to "プレミセ!" (Premise!), and it's content reviewed. The first broadcast will be on December 24.[100]
On 13 September 2023 was announced on the official site the establishment of the Victim Relief Committee & compensation reception desk. The Victim Relief Committee will be entrusted with determining the amount of compensation based on the contents of the declarations made by the victims, as said on the announcement. The committee is composed of three lawyers with no ties to Johnny's Office, nor to the victims seeking compensation. On 2 October, an external Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) will be appointed to formulate and implement basic policies on human rights and develop internal rules. According to the site, the agency plans to announce more specific measures based on the recommendations of the Special Team for Recurrence Prevention.[101] In addition, the agency promised to not receive remuneration for the talent's program and commercial advertisement appearances for one year, with all income going directly to the artist.[102]
A follow-up program by the BBC aired in 2024, called "Our World: The Shadow of a Predator", continues with a further look at the case that got almost 1000 claims made.[103]
Media blacklisting investigation
For years, Johnny & Associates has been suspected of having connections with the mass media to produce extensive and favorable coverage on the company, its acts, and Kitagawa, while reducing coverage on anything perceived to be a threat to their image and sales.[24][25] An example noted by journalists mention that Kitagawa would threaten to withdraw his talent from certain music programs and channels if they provide unfavorable coverage or invite competing boy bands from other agencies.[25][72]
On July 18, 2019, Johnny & Associates was investigated by the Fair Trading Commission for potentially violating the Anti-Monopoly Act due to accusations of pressuring the media to reduce coverage on Atarashii Chizu, a group made up of former
SMAP members
Shingo Katori,
Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, and
Goro Inagaki. Despite lack of hard evidence, Johnny & Associates received a warning.[24][104][105]
Press conference reporter blacklisting
On October 2, 2023, during a press conference addressing sexual assault allegations Johnny & Associates staff were videorecorded holding documents with lists labelled "NG (no good) Reporters," with at least 6 portrait photos and their corresponding seat numbers. According to the NHK the documents were brought in by
FTI Consulting, a United States-based consulting company hired by Johnny & Associates to manage the press conference, to blacklist specific media reporters. During the conference each media outlet was allowed one question after being picked by the moderator. An adversarial atmosphere fell over the 2-hour event,
Yoshihiko Inohara arguing with reporters who felt passed over saying "Let's show the children watching a conference of adults following rules." Moderator Kazuya Matsumoto responded "No, I am being fair. I am looking at everyone," and "it's not a farce" to disruptive reporters.[106][107][108][109][110]
On October 4, 2023, Johnny & Associates denied involvement, stating "No one from our company has seen anything."[111] Inohara on seeing the blacklist during a rehearsal meeting between Johnny & Associates and FTI Consulting staff reportedly pushed back, saying "What does this mean? It's no good if we don't call on everyone."[112][113] On October 5, 2023, Johnny & Associates issued a press release stating a media blacklist was never produced nor requested by their staff. When asked to issue an apology FTI Consulting allegedly countered that they can only do so once it is cleared by their main office in the US.[114]
On October 5, 2023, FTI Consulting admitted the existence of the 'blacklist' as well as a candidate list of "preferable" reporters.[115][110] According to the firm the lists were given to the conference moderator.[110] Mutual concerns over reporters who could spend long periods of time talking about their own opinions, or ask thoughtless questions (or remarks) that could be unnecessarily stressful, painful, and/or uncomfortable to the victims who are watching the conference was given as a reason to create the blacklist. Contradicting Johnny & Associates' claims FTI stated both parties confirmed their policy on conducting the press conference.[110]
The press conference attracted criticism from journalists, broadcasters, and politicians at a time when Johnny & Associates was attempting to mend its public image and relationship with the media.[116][117] Arc Times editor Toshi Ogata who was attending commented "As expected, it was a rigged press conference. We also got ahold of this list and are waiting for a formal response. I think it's amazing that the NHK was able to capture that footage."
Shūkan Bunshun journalist Ryūtarō Nakamura commented "This is a total
out. With this it's obvious that their unscrupulous ways haven't changed. 'We didn't know' or 'a third-party was responsible' is not valid.[118][119]
Company renaming
Several Japanese news outlets reported on October 1, 2023 that Johnny & Associates was considering creating a new company to manage its performers, while the current Johnny & Associates would change its name and continue to exist for the purpose of compensating abuse victims. It was also reported that
Noriyuki Higashiyama, who became the head of Johnny & Associates after the resignation of Julie K. Fujishima, was also expected to head the new company.[121] On October 2, Johnny & Associates held a press conference to outline their plans, announcing that they would be renaming the current company to Smile Up–taking a name that they had used in their 2020 charity project–effective October 17.[3][7][122] Smile Up will continue to exist under the ownership of Fujishima and will eventually close down once all sexual abuse compensation requests, which numbered 325 at the time of the announcement, have been processed.[3] On November 22, 2023 the company began to compensate the first 35 victims of the sexual harassment scandal while Smile-Up! received reports from 834 people until November 22, 2023 claiming to be harassed by Kitagawa.[123]
Higashiyama told reporters that performers working under the new, yet-to-be-named management company "will have the freedom to pursue their own career paths without being restricted or entirely dependent on the company."[3] It was also announced that anything bearing the name "Johnny", such as related companies and company sections like Johnny's Island and
J-Storm and performing groups such as
Johnny's West and
Kanjani Eight, would undergo changes to remove any trace of the Johnny's name.[124] Higashiyama said that "all things with the Johnny's name will have to go," while Fujishima, who did not attend the October 2 press conference, said that she wanted to "erase all that remains of Johnny from this world."[7]
It was revealed on December 8, 2023, that the new artist management company would be called "Starto Entertainment", a name fusing the word "star" and the hiragana と (to), with the meaning for the latter to be "toward the future". The name of the new company was decided after reviewing 140,156 fan applications. As said previously, Higashiyama was to replace Fujishima in both the new artist management company, as well as in the presidency of the original, but Higashiyama declined the role in the new one. Atsushi Fukuda, president of a consulting company, will be appointed as president of Starto.[125]
Trainees under the former company name of Johnny & Associates were known as Johnny's Jr. and have traditionally performed on Johnny's related variety shows and as
backup dancers for the agency's groups.[128][129] However, in recent years select Junior groups have taken on levels of visibility akin to mainstream senior acts, including national commercial sponsorships,[130] solo concerts,[131] national tours,[132] and starring film and television roles.[133]
^MiMyCen consists of Go Morita, Ken Miyake, and
Junichi Okada, who performed the theme song for the variety show MiMyCen!
^MiMyCen consists of
Kota Yabu,
Hikaru Yaotome, Naoya Akama, Shoon Yamashita, Taiyo Ayukawa, and Masaki Hoshino, who performed the theme song for the anime Nintama Rantarō and had a variety show of the same name.
^GYM consists of
Golf, Tomohisa Yamashita, and
Mike, who performed the theme song for the Women's Volleyball games.
^Kisarazu Cats Eye feat. MCU consists of Junichi Okada,
Sho Sakurai,
Yoshinori Okada (non-Johnny's),
Tsukamoto Takashi (non-Johnny's), and
Ryuta Sato (non-Johnny's), who performed the theme song for the drama Kisarazu Cat's Eye: World Series.
^Trio the Shakiiin consists of Noriyuki Higashiyama,
Go Morita, and
Kenta Suga (non-Johnny's), who performed the theme song for the drama Kuitan.
^Matchy with Question consists of
Masahiko Kondo, Daijiro Yonemura, Yoshihiro Yodogawa, Kazuyori Fujiie, Akun Igo, and Daisuke Ishigaki, who performed the theme song for the anime Naruto.
^The Shigotonin consists of Noriyuki Higashiyama,
Masahiro Matsuoka, and
Tadayoshi Okura, who performed the theme song for the drama Hissatsu Shigotonin.
^Snow Prince Gasshodan consists of Shintarō Morimoto, Shintarō Kishimoto, Reia Nakamura, Kei Kurita, Yūya Ōtsuka, Tatsuya Horinouchi, Aoi Okada, Yūki Haba, Ryō Hashimoto, Mizuki Inoue, and Aoi Chino, who performed the theme song for the film Snow Prince: Kinjirareta Koi no Melody.
^Lands consists of
Jin Akanishi and Takeshi Kobayashi, who performed as a tie-in to the film Bandage.
^Akasaka was arrested for drug possession on October 28, 2007. Johnny & Associates announced his dismissal on October 29, 2007.[135]
^Yamaguchi was suspended indefinitely on April 26, 2018, after he was referred to prosecutors for sexually harassing a teenage girl.[136] On May 2, 2018, he handed his resignation letter to TOKIO's leader,
Shigeru Joshima.[137] Yamaguchi officially resigned on May 6, 2018.[138]
^Imai announced his departure on September 13, 2018. The announcement came with a notice of disbandment from
Tackey & Tsubasa. Imai, who has
Ménière's disease, will be focusing on his health.[144][145]
^Tanaka contract with Johnny & Associates was terminated on September 30, 2013 due to several contract violations.[147][148]
^On June 27, 2011, Morimoto was suspended indefinitely for underage smoking.[151] His profile was removed from the official Johnny & Associates website in 2012.
References
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ab"会社概要" [Company profile] (in Japanese). Johnny & Associates. Archived from
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^"会社概要グループ会社一覧".
Archived from the original on November 23, 2020. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
^"Company Profile". Johnny & Associates.
Archived from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved November 24, 2020. Group Companies
^Marx, David (2012). "The Jimusho System: Understanding the Production Logic of the Japanese Entertainment Industry". Idols and Celebrity in Japanese Media Culture. pp. 35–55.
^West, Mark D. (January 15, 2007). Secrets, Sex, and Spectacle: The Rules of Scandal in Japan and the United States. University of Chicago Press. p. 210.
ISBN978-0-226-89408-9.
^"性加害、東京海上は契約解除検討 スポンサー企業は厳しい見方" (in Japanese). Kyodo News. September 7, 2023.
Archived from the original on September 8, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023 – via Yahoo! Japan News.
^"アサヒG、今後ジャニーズを広告に起用せず" (in Japanese). Kyodo News. September 7, 2023.
Archived from the original on September 8, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023 – via Yahoo! Japan News.