A number of the victims of late Japanese talent manager Johnny Kitagawa have criticised his company for its handling of compensation claims. The criticism came as the talent agency formerly known as Johnny & Associates said that 939 people have now submitted compensation requests.
After decades of denial, Johnny & Associates finally admitted last year that Kitagawa - who died in 2019 - had a long history of sexually abusing boys who worked with his entertainment company. It then announced it had appointed three former judges to oversee a scheme that would provide financial compensation to Kitagawa's victims.
In a statement at the time, the talent agency, now called Smile-Up, said: “We recognise that the late Johnny Kitagawa carried out sexual assaults over a long period and we apologise to the victims from the bottom of our hearts. We vow to carry out compensation and prevent a recurrence".
However, according to the Associated Press, a group representing a number of the victims yesterday held a press conference claiming that many of those who have made allegations against Kitagawa are yet to receive compensation.
And, they added, they are aware of dozens of victims who have been told by Smile-Up that there is not enough evidence to honour their claims. Speaking for the group, Shimon Ishimaru, himself a victim of Kitagawa, said he had asked to meet with company officials to discuss their concerns but so far no meeting has taken place.
A spokesperson for Smile-Up told the AP that of the 939 people who have made claims, 125 have now received compensation. The company hasn't yet responded to Ishimaru's criticism, but said it would continue in its efforts to compensate the victims of its late founder.