TOKYO (AP) — Several major Japanese companies have decided to stop using stars who are represented by Johnny & Associates, an entertainment company at the center of a sexual assault scandal.
Victims have come forward, demanding an apology and financial compensation from Johnny & Associates, which remains one of this nation’s most powerful entertainment companies.
Critics say the mainstream news media kept silent because it didn’t want to lose access to Johnny’s stars for their programming.
But public opinion has shifted dramatically in recent months, with the wave of companies dropping Johnny's expected to grow.
Suntory Holdings said it will stop using Johnny’s personnel in its ads and has formally demanded improved corporate governance.
Persons:
Johnny &, Junichi Okada, Toma Ikuta, Sho Sakurai, Johnny, Julie Keiko Fujishima, Johnny Kitagawa, Fujishima, Kitagawa, Hibiki, Hokuto, Atsushi Katsuki, Johnny's, ”, ___ Yuri Kageyama
Organizations:
TOKYO, Johnny, Johnny & Associates, Beverage, Asahi Group Holdings, Johnny’s, Japan Airlines, Nippon Life Insurance, Suntory Holdings, Asahi, Twitter
Locations:
Tokyo, SixTONES