J-pop talent agency president quits over founder's child sex abuse

Victims of late mogul Johnny Kitagawa demand apologies and compensation

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Julie K. Fujishima wipes away tears after announcing she was stepping down as head of Johnny & Associates on Sept. 7 in Tokyo. (Photo by Satoko Kawasaki)

ALICE FRENCH, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- The president of Johnny & Associates, Japan's largest talent agency, announced her resignation on Thursday, following a string of allegations of child sex abuse against the company's late founder, Johnny Kitagawa.

Julie Keiko Fujishima, Kitagawa's niece, will be succeeded by actor Noriyuki Higashiyama, who has been employed by Johnny & Associates since 1979, the agency told reporters in Tokyo.

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