J-Pop talent agency to split scandal-hit firm

Japanese talent agency Johnny & Associates Chief Julie K. Fujishima and its new Chief Noriyuki Higashiyama bow to express their apology during a press conference in Tokyo, Japan, September 7, 2023. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File Photo

TOKYO: J-pop talent agency Johnny & Associates Inc will spin off operations of its main company to establish a separate entity focusing on talent management, the Nikkei reports.

The Japanese, family-held firm will focus on compensation for hundreds of victims an investigation concluded were sexually abused by its late founder, Johnny Kitagawa, over more than four decades, Nikkei said.