Former Johnny’s Jr. member Okamoto Kauan held a press conference to detail sexual abuse by Kitagawa Johnny

There has been rumors for years that the late Kitagawa Johnny, the man who founded the male pop idol company, Johnny’s Jimusho, was involved with sexual abuse with former Johnny’s Jr. members.

And in 2023, the BBC did a new report about the alleged sexual abuse:

Today, former Johnny’s Jr. member Okamoto Kauan held a press conference at the Foreign Correspondents Association of Japan in Tokyo on the 12 to detail sexual abuse by Kitagawa Johnny.

Okamoto said he was sexually assaulted by Johnny about 15 to 20 times between 2012 and 2016.

Cowan said, “It would be better if everyone (who was victimized) came out. I think it’s a ridiculous number. I think it’s a big thing for everyone to come out and talk”. He appealed, “I want the top management of the agency to recognize it”.

Cowan also said, “There are three other people who can clearly understand it. To be honest, I think it happened to almost everyone (who visited the former president’s house)”.

Cowan also said about the former president, “While I am grateful for the opportunties, it is bad that he sexually acted on myself, who was only 15 years old at the time and other juniors”.

In an interview with Kyodo News, Johnny & Associates said, “We will continue to work on strengthening the governance system with the cooperation of unbiased and neutral experts, and ensuring thorough compliance by management and employees without exception. We are determined to move forward together as one,” he commented.

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