Future of RAF No.3
Addressing Misconduct within Johnny's & Associates: A Critical Examination of Japanese Media's Role
The recent revelation of numerous sexual abuse cases involving the founder of Johnny's & Associates has sent shockwaves through the Japanese entertainment industry and the companies that sponsor its talents. While many of the agency's talents have fallen victim to these abuses, they now face the additional burden of social sanctions if they choose not to sever ties with the organization.
Regrettably, the process of acknowledging and addressing these misconduct cases only gained traction after foreign media, particularly the BBC, extensively covered the issue. The initial reaction of Japanese media, including the national broadcaster NHK, was marked by silence or dismissal, with reports framing foreign views as bizarre and mocking the Japanese. Gradually, as international pressure mounted, Japanese media shifted towards more serious reporting, ultimately culminating in the termination of future contracts with Johnny's & Associates talents for their programs, as was the case with NHK.
We should better shed light on the complicity of Japanese media in perpetuating a culture of silence and cover-up in the face of misconduct by entertainment legends. In Japan, the media landscape has traditionally been characterized by a lack of diversity, with a strong emphasis on conformity. It is often disconcerting to observe the well-coordinated, uniform expressions of TV anchors, even when addressing politically divisive issues, akin to the news programs offered by North Korean state media.
From a managerial perspective, the absence of a substantial firewall between news and entertainment divisions within a single company can naturally foster a biased stance in news reporting.
It is hoped that the current NHK chairman and former BOJ prince, Inaba, will take proactive measures to address this issue, as he skillfully navigated the Japanese banking crisis three decades ago.
