The September 8th Issue
Johnny's, Yasuko, Ike Nwala
It’s September. I want to celebrate this month and the coming of the fall season with sweet potato confectionaries and pumpkin sweets but that feels relatively impossible to do when we’re swinging between 80 and 90 degrees here in Tokyo. And yet it is September and all the sweet potato goods are out on shelves and I’m pulling out my wallet. According to the markets, it’s fall.
Can You Ever Trust a Julie? (Besides Andrews)
I didn’t mention it in last week’s issue but will do so here. Last Tuesday (August 29th), an external team that investigated Johnny & Associates’ founder Johnny Kitagawa’s alleged allegations of sexual assault and abuse revealed their findings in this document and held a press conference stating that they found the allegations of abuse to be true. Yesterday, September 7th, Johnny’s held their own press conference today in which they announced that Kitagawa Julie will step down as president and ex-idol Higashiyama Noriyuki will take her place.
On October 4th, Fuji TV will hold a press conference regarding the abuse. Regarding the appearances of the Johnny’s boys in variety shows and dramas, Fuji TV’s Tatematsu Hideaki said that the problem is not with the boys themselves and thus they will continue to cast them. When asked whether they would consider casting those attached to TOBE, an agency created by the former vice president of Johnny’s, Takizawa Hideaki, Tatematsu said that they would look into it. Regardless, TV Asahi, TBS, and NHK have followed suit it looks like Johnny’s idols will continue to have their space held for them on TV.
Meanwhile, TV Tokyo stated that Johnny's office “fully acknowledged the sexual assault by former president Kitagawa Julie and announced a policy to take relief measures for the victims as well as thorough measures to prevent recurrence and a change of president,” and “we take this as an important step for the agency to embark on reform." They then commented, “We take this as an important step in the firm's reforms. However, there are many remaining issues, such as strengthening management governance, and we will continue to encourage the improvement of the situation through dialogue as a business partner based on the concept of human rights due diligence,” he added, "We will watch with grave concern and interest to ensure that the new structure starting in October will have true governance functions.”
Like always, TV Tokyo was the only station to not air the Johnny’s conference.
Yasuko is Serving (Literally)
Comedian Yasuko is going back to Self-Defense Force. It’s okay if you don’t understand this sentence. There’s this comedian Yasuko whose schtick (uniform and all) is being an ex-member of Japan’s Self-Defense Force. It truly feels like she was everywhere this summer appearing on all of the variety shows.
She entered the force when she was 17 due to the fact that she couldn’t go to college and what then-Yasuko seemed like the only option for her is now going to be her occupation as she takes a break from the comedian life.
As to why she’s returning she said, "I already have friends and know-how, so I figured I could be useful in times of disaster.” If you’re wondering if I’m gonna get political about this, I’m not. What kind of “disaster” she’s anticipating whether it be natural or political, I will also not speculate.
Ike Nwala and Shige-chan
By August 28th, 2023, Nwala had officially left TV Tokyo’s children's morning program “Oha Suta” [おはスタ] (1997 - present). The reason why he left the show that he described as “Japanese Sesame Street,” is because American comedian and entertainer Ike Nwala has been accused of sexually assaulting a minor and other adult women. He has since posted a response on Twitter denying the accusation. According to “Shunkan Bunshun,” Nwala had brought two underage co-stars, to his home. In an article published on September 1, it was reported that two women in their 20s, who visited Nwala's home were asked to touch his genitals, which he nicknamed "Shige-chan.”
Currently, the “Shukan Bunshun” editorial department claims that they have received numerous reports from women who say that they, too, have been accosted by Nwala.
Meanwhile, his talent agency has claimed that he invited a girl to his place only once, between the hours of 8 to 10 PM but claims no crimes have been committed. After the reports came out he has also been replaced on his other programs such as NHK’s “Elementary Schoolers Basic English” (2021 - present).
While the Japanese public has been familiar with him for years, I first heard about Nwala through this “Vice” article which touches on the unique challenges of being not only Black in Japan but a Black comedian/talent in Japan. I don’t know it all just makes me sad and angry, what else can I say.
For Weed!!!
Nagayama Kento has been sentenced to 6 months in prison. For weed. I don’t know it all just makes me sad and angry, what else can I say.
TV I watched this week: “A Town Without Seasons” (2023), “Hayabusa no Shōbōdan” (2023), and “Kocchi Muitei Mukai-kun” (2023).
If you don’t recognize these two people, they’re Ishida Shigehiro (left) and Hoshina Yuri (right). Together they appear in commercials for Yume Group, Ishida’s online shopping service in which the pattern usually goes that Hoshina will ask Ishida to sell an item with a discount which he so generously gives. Anyway, they released a CD along with a music video which you can watch when you start to feel like nobody has done anything nice for you recently because this man is out there working hard for everyday people like you and me to get ice-making machines for a discount.
you think they're going to rename the company?
the problem's not with da boyz!