The men who came forward to allege they were sexually abused as teenagers by Japanese boy band producer Johnny Kitagawa now have a powerful listener: the United Nations.
Damilola Olawuyi, chair of the U.N. Working Group on Business and Human Rights, told reporters Friday the number of victims may total several hundred, and he accused Japan's mainstream media of standing silent about the alleged abuse for decades.
Olawuyi raised serious questions about the sincerity of the response from the talent agency Kitagawa founded, Johnny & Associates. He urged other entertainment industry players to carry out a “transparent and legitimate investigation with a clear timeline.”
Junya Hiramoto, one of seven men who talked with Olawuyi’s team, was moved to tears by the U.N. official's remarks.
“I felt our message had been clearly relayed,” he said. “They gave me such courage.”
Pichamon Yeophantong, a fellow member of the U.N. group who appeared with Olawuyi at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo, urged the Japanese government to do more.
“This case highlights the need for the government, as the primary duty-bearer, to ensure transparent investigations of perpetrators and that victims obtain effective remedies, be they in the form of an apology or financial compensation,” she said.
Olawuyi and other experts have been in Japan since July 24. They met with government officials, human rights advocates, trade unions and companies, to learn about how businesses may be violating human rights and harming the environment.
A full report is set to be presented to the U.N. Human Rights Council in June, which will include recommendations for change.
Foremost on the Working Group's agenda was the men who allege they were sexually abused as children by Kitagawa, who was a powerful figure in Japan’s entertainment industry before he died in 2019. The head of Johnny & Associates apologized in May.
Critics say what happened at Johnny’s, as the company is known here, is shameful and indicative of how Japan, allegedly a democratic and economic powerhouse, lags in its protection of human rights.
The men who have come forward say Kitagawa abused them in his Tokyo luxury mansion, as well as other places, such as his car and overseas hotels, while performing as dancers and singers.
Kitagawa was never charged. He was revered over the years, although allegations about abuse popped up now and then, only to be eventually shrugged off.
“What is the worst case of sexual abuse in the history of humankind is seeing the light of day,” Shimon Ishimaru, one of the seven accusers to go public, said. “This problem is real. It really happened.”
Johnny’s, which is still thriving, set up an investigative panel, but what it plans to achieve has been unclear. Ishimaru and others said they were skeptical because they had not received the mental health care the company promised.
In response to a request for comment by The Associated Press, Johnny & Associates said all matters are being dealt with as part of the investigation.
After a BBC documentary about Kitagawa aired this year, musician Kauan Okamoto spoke in April at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club in Tokyo, the first person in decades to make such allegations under his real name.
The Associated Press does not usually identify people who say they were sexually assaulted, but Kitagawa's recent accusers decided to be named publicly in news accounts.
Kitagawa filed a libel suit against weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun after it published a series of 1999 articles based on anonymous interviews with former performers who said he forced them to have sex.
A few years later, Japan’s Supreme Court upheld an appeals court finding in favor of Shukan Bunshun, saying the accusers’ testimonies were reliable, and what they said had really happened.
What Japan does now may end up being a litmus test for a country where legal revision that officially banned violence against children kicked in only three years ago and reports of child abuse and neglect of children are rampant. Japan raised the age of sexual consent from 13 to 16 only this year.
Akimasa Nihongi, one of the seven men who spoke with the U.N. officials, said people like him had suffered enough. He praised the U.N.’s actions as a big step forward.
“A collective voice can ring loud and clear,” Nihongi said.
“The U.N. Working Group sincerely listened to what we said. And they have now spoken.”
© Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
32 Comments
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sakurasuki
Every abused people either by boyband producer or their superior in the workplace deserve compensation, no need to UN to remind that.
falseflagsteve
The Jimmy Saville of Japan, what a beast and still some defined this vile monster.
Mark
So everyone including the U.N. waited till the ""ABUSER"" died then all came out of the closet and started crying, how disturbing and suspicious. Should come forward while he is alive so we can hear both sides and get him locked up if found to be guilty.
Too late now the dead can't talk or defend himself or CAN HE!?
Yubaru
It will be a cold day in hell before any of the victims here are given any compensation, particularly since the main "alleged" abuser is dead.
MarkX
Obviously Mark, you haven't lived here in Japan very long to know the power that Johnny had over the entertainment industry. Hell, still his agency controls so many TV shows, and productions that if anybody speaks out they will be blacklisted and never heard from again. That is why people waited this long to come forward, and I applaud them and would really like to see this whole industry eradicated, not only the boy bands but also the girl groups that is probably worse.
Yubaru
I assume you mean "defend" and just who are you referring to as defending him?
CaptDingleheimer
Overstep.
Yubaru
Yeah, but being "bad" just doesn't sell papers in today's world. Everything just has to be the worst, even when it's not. If something isn't over-exaggerated to the point of nausea then it doesn't grab headlines, and followers can't repeat it and spread the news.
Oh and these types of comments are made with the intent of getting those who aren't educated at all, to repeat them and spread the story!
falseflagsteve
Yubaru
Many are still defending this sex fiend. Did you view the BBC documentary? If you didn’t I would recommend not watching in the presence of a lady or children, it’s obscene and vile and may traumatise them.
Fighto!
There were rumors flying around about Kitagawa for decades. Yet countless parents still allowed their young sons to sleep over in his compound. They are also complicit in the abuse.
Kitagawa was a despicable abuser with a filthy, depraved lifestyle - and if this case makes parents think twice in future about entrusting their children entirely to perverts in the entertainment industry - some good may come of it.
obladi
The entire jpop industry feeds off of old men and women's appetite for innocence and youth.
where do you cut out the cancer?
OssanAmerica
This is a criminal matter within Japan and it's legal jurisdiction. Of what business is it of the UN Human Rights Council? Does the UN investigate every criminal case in the world?
I really wonder how much Damilola Olawuyi received in his offshore account from China.
Speed
This should've been done three decades ago when this was first pretty well-known.
The media has been complicit with their silence.
The police and government mete out harsh penalties for just a bit of pot but completely let sex abuse slide.
itsonlyrocknroll
For indeed decades, the depraved/sordid allegations of emotional, psychological, sexual abuse of children and teenagers has been able to flourish unabated, because of the structure of Japan entertainment industry hidden, through extreme abuses of power, the offences suppressed.
Now with cynical duplicity, and frankly fake insincerity. they continue to be.
The U.N. Working Group on Business and Human Rights has called out the sexual abuse on children.
Well the global reach of social media has caught up, and the alleged perpetrators have put the entire J society under a spotlight for all to see, witness.
Perhaps the families of these idols have been complicit.?
Time for a full public inquiry into every aspect of this appalling betrayal of trust and abuse of power.
Nothing to hide?
So ok lets test that in front of a judge led independent commission.
Redemption
So far I have only seen a bow. In the US the entire entertainment industry was upended with many powerful men going to jail for life. Quite a difference.
Yubaru
Still doesnt answer my question of who is defending him. Who are they? No names?
Donald Seekins
"The numbers of victims may total several hundred."
I can't help thinking: in Japanese culture, is sexual abuse of subordinates a bug or a feature?
itsonlyrocknroll
It is the failure of a duty of care, be that from the authorities whose fundamental task is to ensure the safety and well-being to guard against this gross of abuse to teenagers and children be thoroughly investigated.
Basically that is why we are here today.
itsonlyrocknroll
I am sure for a fact that Japan values it young people with one of the most comprehensive education system envied throughout the world.
These predator talent and entertainment agencies have to be held accountable for such alleged acts of exploitation. and that leads to appalling abuse.
These criminal predators cast a sinister shadow of a society that genuinely cherishes they young people.
Lets these parasites and pedophiles face the full weight of the justice system.
mountainpear
In Japan anyone with common sense knows the entertainment industry is rotten. Do you think anyone thinks groups like AKB48 are there for their dancing and singing skills?
Wesley
Many in the UN are on the ccp's payroll. They would do anything to tarnish Japan's reputation.
While it's laudable that they are highlighting the abuse that these gentlemen have endured, it's still an internal matter that the local law should do something about.
If the UN is so worried about abuse, perhaps they can hold china responsible for the abuse of Urgurs, Tibetans, Falong gong, child labor, etc?
scotchontherocks
ok great, since plenty people here are unsatisfied with the UN human rights council beating the dead horse, let’s have them chat with the 48 & 46 group next
MilesTeg
Even though his behavior was made public in Shukan Bunshun in 1999, the Japanese media and police did nothing. It took a BBC article to
MilesTeg
MilesTegToday 02:07 pm JST
Even though his behavior was made public in Shukan Bunshun in 1999, the Japanese media, gov't and police did nothing. The victims were still afraid of consequences and the public was apathetic. It took a BBC article for the agency and his relative to make a comment as well as encourage more victims to speak out and the public to show interest. If left to Japan's media, police, government, and public, it would have never been mentioned again. The UNHCR getting involved can expedite the process and ensure something will be done because if left in Japan's hand, nothing would happen. That's why. It's not that difficult to understand.
Sanjinosebleed
What a grub and yet there are still people trying to justify this animals abuse of children! Thank god someone did something because we all knew the Japanese elites would never have said a bad word against someone who was making them lots of money! The most concerning thing in all this is the radio silence about the girl bands like morning musume and AKB48 etc anyone who thinks that’s not just as bad if not worse than the Jonny saga has their head in The sand!
Simon Foston
OssanAmericaToday 09:31 am JST
That means "it is legal jurisdiction," which doesn't mean anything at all. Anyway, everyone knows that the Japanese authorities couldn't be bothered doing anything about it.
I take it Japan is proud to be a member of the UN and profess respect and support for its institutions, so what do you think?
Just ones that have been egregiously overlooked or mishandled by incompetent or corrupt local authorities, apparently.
I daresay you do as you appear to be obsessed with China.
Rodney
UN group? How about they spend time on the 500000 children abused by the Catholic Church?
Mr Kipling
Just like Jimmy Saville, he had connections so the authorities had to wait until he died. Even though it was a very badly kept secret that Johnny was a no good.
Simon Foston
Mr KiplingAug. 5 06:13 pm JST
They didn't have to wait, they just didn't have the guts to look into anything involving anyone powerful and important.