News

Johnny Kitagawa's Niece Takes Over as President of Johnny & Associates Talent Agency

Talent agency Johnny & Associates announced on Friday that Julie Keiko Fujishima, the niece of late founder Johnny Kitagawa, will become the new president of the agency. Hideaki Takizawa, an actor who retired from the industry and founded the Johnny's Island company last year, will be the company's executive vice-president. Finally, Kitagawa's older sister, Mary Yasuko Fujishima, will be the new chairwoman and executive director.

Kitagawa passed away on July 9 due to a subarachnoid hemorrhage (form of stroke). He was 87.

Kitagawa was born in Los Angeles, and his family returned to Japan when he was very young. He later returned to America and spent some of his youth there. He taught English to orphans in the Korean War for the United States Army. Kitagawa returned to Japan again and founded Johnny & Associates in 1962 after establishing the male idol group Johnnys.

Johnny & Associates went on to establish and manage many male idol groups such as SMAP, Arashi, Tokio, KinKi Kids, V6, KAT-TUN, and Hey! Say! JUMP. The members of idol groups under the management of Johnny & Associates are collectively known as "Johnny's."

Sources: Johnny & Associates, Oricon News via Tokyo Hive