The Most Powerful Man in J-Pop’s Abuse Scandal, Explained

The latest in pop-culture news, recaps, and reviews, plus close reads, profiles, interviews, and more from Vulture.com. [Brand Logo]( allegations [The Most Powerful Man in J-Pop’s Sex-Abuse Scandal, Explained]( The founder of Japan’s top talent agency was accused of assaulting boys and men for decades, but his company didn’t take action until after he died. Photo: Yuichi Yamazaki/Getty Images For decades, Johnny Kitagawa’s name was synonymous with success. His talent agency, Johnny & Associates, more commonly known as Johnny’s, launched Japan’s most famous boy bands. He was undeniably the most powerful man in Japan’s entertainment industry — before his death in 2019, Kitagawa held the [Guinness World Record]( for the most No. 1 artists, the most No. 1 singles, and the most concerts produced by an individual. Yet over the course of his long career, Kitagawa also faced allegations that he groomed and sexually assaulted the underage boys and young men who hoped to become stars with his agency. His influence was so pervasive that major domestic media didn’t cover the claims; a Japanese entertainment reporter [told the New York Times]( in 2000 that Johnny’s stars were so dominant in popularity that the agency could make an outlet’s ratings “plummet” simply by withdrawing access to its talent. [read more]( The Latest TV Recaps • The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City: [Tricksy Motel]( • Welcome to Wrexham: [Wrexham Is Here to Make Friends, Actually]( • Reservation Dogs: [Second Chances]( • The Morning Show: [The Leak]( • Ahsoka: [Heir to the Empire]( [Learn more about RevenueStripe...]( Stories We Think You’ll Like [‘This Was Simply How This Story Had to Go’ Jesse Armstrong outlines his path to Succession’s final shot.]( [So You Thought BTS Was Going on Break? LOL. The group renewed their contracts for 2025 and beyond.]( By Zoe Guy [Angelica Ross Has Receipts Claiming Ryan Murphy preventing her from major opportunities was just one of AHS: 1984’s nightmares.]( By Jason P. Frank [Every American Horror Story Season, Ranked From Worst to Best With Kim Kardashian about to join the American Horror Story family, let’s look back at the ups and crazy, crazy downs of the past 11 seasons.]( By Brian Moylan [The NFL Is Shipping Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift “I think it’s all 100 percent true,” Kelce’s brother said … jokingly.]( By Zoe Guy [What Other Deity Would Bowen Yang Like to Play? He’s already God.]( By Bethy Squires [The Continental Is Built on a Miscalculation Only one scene in a neon-lit nightclub and only one guy with a katana? Are we sure this is a John Wick series?]( By Roxana Hadadi [Bijou Phillips Files for Divorce From Danny Masterson Masterson was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for rape earlier this month.]( By Zoe Guy [Viola Davis Wonders What The Hunger Games Are For Mainly, to watch her play evil in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes trailer.]( By Alejandra Gularte [Learn more about RevenueStripe...]( [Today’s Crossword]( 20-Across, Ten Letters: Brit author of Swing Time and NW. Photo-Illustration: Vulture; Photos: Getty, Shutterstock, Starz A newsletter of TV and movie recommendations. [Sign up]( to get it every week. [Get the Newsletter]( [logo]( [facebook logo]( [instagram logo]( [twitter logo]( [unsubscribe]( | [privacy notice]( | [update preferences]( This email was sent to {EMAIL}. Was this email forwarded to you? [Sign up now]( to get this newsletter in your inbox. [View this email in your browser.]( You received this email because you have a subscription to New York. Reach the right online audience with us For advertising information on email newsletters, please contact AdOps@nymag.com Vox Media, LLC 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, 12th Floor Washington, DC 20036 Copyright © 2023, All rights reserved