Johnny Kitagawa Passes Away at 87 After Founding Japan’s Most Successful Male Idol Agency Including SMAP and Arashi
It’s the end of an era, both with how entertainment now works and the fitting conclusion for a J-ent titan. Johnny Kitagawa passed away today at the age of 87, best known for the 1982 founding of agency Johnny’s Entertainment which went on to create Japan’s most incredible streak of hit male idol groups. Included are SMAP, Arashi, TOKIO, Tackey & Tsubasa, V6, KAT-TUN, NEWS, Hey! Say! Jump!, Kis-MY-Ft2, and King & Prince with many more I can’t summon off the top of my head. Johnny’s singlehandedly created the men’s side of J-pop as we know it and also is responsible for the careers of stars Kimura Takuya, Matsumoto Jun, Yamashita Tomohisa, Kamenashi Kazuya, Nishikido Ryo, Sakurai Sho and countless others. I feel like Johnny’s artists and groups were my formative to adult years, it’s crazy to see his torch finally pass.
u
Wow!!! An end of an era. RIP Johnny.
Just read his wiki page to see how great this pedophile is. I could go without the jpop if it meant no one was getting abused
NO MERCY FOR THOSE THAT ABUSE GODS INNOCENT!
It’s a pity that the one honest journalist who tried to expose this HEINOUS pedophile was sued because of Pedo Kitgawa’s money and connections. How the main stream media and Government can turn a blind eye to his criminal activities is truly a TRAVESTY. Sad that his little boy rape victims will not see justice, But no doubt he’s where he should be. In Hell.
I won’t transfer the hate for Kitagawa to the young men and boys that work for him and can understand that many of them truly mourn his passing; but I hope he isn’t resting in peace for what he did all these years to boys and young men. Japan enabling and trying to normalize the sexualization of children is the aspect I hate so much despite it being my third home and how much I love it.
I would say to this old man, good riddance! He cannot be prosecuted while alive because he is powerful, I’m sure he is facing judgment now that his money cannot buy.
I read the translated transcript of the abuse in this blog the dark side of Johnny and associates.