Smile-Up’s president announces he will step down

The departure of Noriyuki Higashiyama from the presidency of Smile-Up marks a pivotal moment in the company's efforts to address the widespread sexual abuse committed by its late founder, Johnny Kitagawa. Higashiyama, who took the helm during the height of the scandal, emphasized that his stepping down does not signify an end to the compensation process, but rather a strategic realignment. His continued personal commitment to the victims, even after leaving the top executive role, suggests an attempt to maintain continuity and trust amidst a deeply sensitive and complex undertaking.

Noriyuki Higashiyama

Noriyuki Higashiyama's tenure as president was largely defined by the immense challenge of acknowledging and rectifying the systemic abuse that occurred under Johnny Kitagawa. His public statements consistently reiterated the company's dedication to ensuring every victim receives necessary compensation, a commitment he pledges to uphold personally even after his term expires. This move can be interpreted as an effort to bring in fresh leadership with specific skills while maintaining a visible link to the initial phase of accountability.

The decision for Higashiyama to step down, coinciding with the expiry of his term, comes three years after the public acknowledgment of Kitagawa's misconduct. His role was crucial in the initial rebranding of Johnny & Associates to Smile-Up, a name change intended to sever ties with the disgraced founder and focus solely on victim redress. His departure now paves the way for a leader with a different, more specialized skill set to navigate the intricate legal and ethical landscape of victim compensation.

Masayuki Yamada

The appointment of Masayuki Yamada as the new president is a clear indication of Smile-Up's evolving strategy. Yamada, already serving as the company's chief compliance officer and a lawyer by profession, brings expert knowledge of legal proceedings to the forefront of the organization. This leadership change directly addresses the company's stated need for someone with a deep understanding of legal frameworks to guide the complex compensation efforts.

Yamada's dual role as president and chief compliance officer underscores the company's commitment to not only process claims but also to ensure the highest standards of ethical conduct and legal adherence. His background is particularly relevant given the ongoing nature of the compensation claims, which involve navigating legal complexities, assessing eligibility, and ensuring fair redress for a large number of individuals. This shift suggests a more formalized and legally robust approach to the victim support process.

Johnny Kitagawa

The legacy of Johnny Kitagawa continues to cast a long shadow over Japan's entertainment industry, with Smile-Up's ongoing compensation efforts serving as a stark reminder of the widespread abuse. The scandal, which gained international prominence with the BBC documentary “Predator: The Secret Scandal of J-Pop” in March 2023, forced the former Johnny & Associates to confront decades of allegations that had previously been largely suppressed or ignored. The company's transformation into Smile-Up and the creation of Starto Entertainment for talent management were direct responses to this crisis.

As of Monday, Smile-Up had received claims from 1,047 individuals, with 578 having received compensation. However, the figures also reveal significant challenges, with 231 people deemed ineligible and 226 unable to be contacted. These numbers highlight the immense scale of the abuse and the difficulties inherent in a retrospective compensation process, underscoring why specialized legal leadership is now deemed essential for the company's path forward.