Scandal-Hit J-Pop Firm Spins Off Talent Management Business
- Sponsors distancing themselves from Johnny’s sex abuse record
- Johnny’s to change name to Smile-Up, focus on compensation
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J-pop pioneer Johnny & Associates Inc. will change its name and split off its talent management operations to contain the fallout from years of sexual abuse by late founder Johnny Kitagawa.
President Noriyuki Higashiyama said Monday the existing Johnny’s entity will be known as ‘Smile-Up’ from Oct. 17, and shutter operations after completing victim compensation. The new company will manage the agency’s contracted artists and operate under a new name, to be decided by fans, and be headed by Higashiyama.