Janis is Japan's largest artist agency, with many well-known idol groups and stars, such as SMAP, Arashi, Kimura Takuya, Yamashita Tomohisa, etc.
However, it recently broke that this glamorous company hides a shocking secret: its late founder and former president Kitagawa has sexually assaulted others since 1950, and in the 40 years from 1970 to 2010, he committed long-term sexual assault on a number of Janis Jr. trainees and employees. This scandal was only exposed after Kitagawa died in 2019, causing strong attention and condemnation from society and the media.
In response to this crisis, Janis commissioned three external expert groups in May this year to form a "task force for the prevention of recurrence" to investigate the sexual assault incident in Kitagawa and recommend reforms. On August 29, the team held a press conference in Tokyo and released about 70 pages of investigative reports.
The report concluded that Kitagawa did have a long-term sexual assault on others, and that his family members and current president, Julie Fujishima, may have been aware of it and did not act. The report also calls on Jenis to apologize to the victims and establish a compensation system. At the same time, the report recommended that Julie Fujishima and other directors resign in order to end the shortcomings of the family business and promote the reform of the company.
It is reported that Kitagawa sexually assaulted young male trainees and employees, who used his power and influence to force them to have sex with him, and even threatened them with expulsion or suppression if they did not comply. According to reports, the victims may be as many as hundreds, some of whom have committed suicide or suffered from depression. Kitagawa 's sister, Mary Kitagawa , is the honorary president of Janis and one of the actual controllers of the company.
She knew that Kitagawa was doing evil deeds but did not stop him, but helped him cover up his crime, and declared Kitagawa an "angel". She has also threatened victims and journalists to deny them the truth. Kyiko Fujishima is Kitagawa 's niece, and after she took over as president in 2019, she did not take any measures to deal with Kitagawa sexual assault, but tried to protect the company's image and interests.
The investigation report pointed out that Kitagawa was able to sexually assault others with impunity for a long time, which has a lot to do with the governance loopholes, lack of supervision, and difficulty in reporting in Janis Firm. In addition, the Japanese mass media have also kept silent or downplayed this, not paying enough attention and exposing it.
As a result, victims are denied justice and redress, while perpetrators go unpunished. The investigation report believes that this is a serious issue involving human rights, law and ethics, which requires Janis and relevant parties to take active measures to solve it. The report makes the following recommendations: Janis & Partners should apologize to the victims and establish a victim compensation system, start the compensation process as soon as possible, and give appropriate financial and moral compensation to the victims.
Janis Firm should change the company's management structure, end the family-run model, bring in more outsiders and professionals, and improve the company's transparency and credibility. Mr. Fujishima and other directors should resign to make way for the company's reforms. Janis & Associates should establish an effective monitoring mechanism and whistleblowing system to prevent similar incidents from happening again. At the same time, the protection and education of trainees and employees should be strengthened, and their legal awareness and self-prevention ability should be improved.
The Japanese mass media should pay more attention to and expose such incidents, and not be silent or cover up for the sake of profit or fear. At the same time, the privacy and personality of the victim should be respected, and unnecessary exposure or spying should not be carried out.
The Japanese government and society should strengthen the crackdown and prevention of sexual assault crimes, improve relevant laws, regulations and law enforcement mechanisms, protect the rights and interests of victims, punish perpetrators, and create a fair and safe social environment.
This incident caused a huge blow to the reputation and performance of Janis Studio, and many artists and fans were disappointed and angry with the company, and some even called for the company to be dissolved or restructured. Companies also face claims from victims and legal prosecution, potentially suffering huge financial losses.
This incident also had a far-reaching impact on the Japanese entertainment industry and society, revealing the seriousness and universality of the crime of sexual assault, arousing public sympathy and support for victims of sexual assault, and also prompting relevant departments and institutions to strengthen the prevention and punishment of sexual assault crimes, and improving the legal awareness and moral level of society.
This incident also serves as a reference and warning for other countries and regions, reminding people to be vigilant against and resist the crime of sexual assault, protect the human rights and dignity of themselves and others, and not be silent or connived at because of interests or fears. At the same time, it also called on the international community to strengthen cooperation and exchanges to jointly combat the crime of sexual assault and safeguard world peace and justice.
The sexual assault incident of Janis is a bombshell in the Japanese entertainment industry and a shocking social problem. This incident not only exposed the darkness and corruption within the Janis office, but also reflected the disregard and connivance of sexual assault in Japanese society. It is hoped that through this investigation report and public apology, it can bring some comfort and justice to the victims, and can also prompt the Janis firm and relevant parties to carry out profound reflection and reform to avoid the recurrence of such tragedies.