Johnny Kitagawa: J-Pop's Predator

On March 7, 2023, the BBC reported on the late Johnny Kitagawa's years of sexual abuse of young boys under the title ``J-Pop's Predator: The Hidden Scandal''.

Johnny Kitagawa’s legendary male-only talent agency trained young boys to become superstars. But for over 50 years, Japan has kept Kitagawa’s dark secret – a long history of allegations of sexual abuse, made by boys in his agency. Even after the music mogul’s death in 2019, the Japanese media remained largely silent. Why?


This video has new Japanese subtitles for online viewing.

In addition to Kitagawa's perpetrating actions, the program also focuses on Johnny's Agency, which has not responded to the allegations. He also mentions the Japanese media that did not report on the Shukan Bunshun report and the Tokyo High Court's civil court ruling that recognized its contents as true.

Journalist Mobeen Azhar explores the suffocating reality of being a J-pop idol and the influence that Kitagawa had on the media, and exposes the brutal consequences of turning a blind eye.