Mary Kitagawa

The 2023 independent report concluded that Mary, Johnny's sister and a central agency executive, had long known about the abuse and that her denial, failure to intervene and the culture of power she enforced had been major factors in its continuation. Julie Fujishima also described her mother's persistent belief that Johnny was innocent.

Attribution

Senior management responsibility; not the perpetrator of Johnny's assaults

Following the departure of three former SMAP members, Japan's competition authority examined whether Johnny & Associates had pressured broadcasters to reduce their appearances. The authority did not find sufficient evidence of a formal violation but cautioned the agency that such conduct could constitute an offence.

State of the evidence

JFTC investigation and caution/warning documented by major media

Legal status — source text

No formal Antimonopoly Act violation finding; agency denied exerting pressure

Attribution

Corporate governance under Mary/Johnny leadership; no personal order established

During a 2015 interview with Shūkan Bunshun, Mary summoned manager Michi Iijima in front of journalists and stated that Julie would inherit the agency; if Iijima opposed her, she should leave with SMAP. The episode was subsequently widely presented as one of the triggers of several SMAP members' attempt to become independent, their televised apology and ultimately the group's breakup.

Mary was reputed to control media and casting relationships. In the Bunshun litigation, courts found at least substantial grounds for the claim that she could call broadcasters' executives directly to secure the removal of performers she disliked. Television professionals described similar pressure.

Following Akina Nakamori's suicide attempt and her turbulent relationship with Masahiko Kondō, Mary became involved in managing the crisis and arranging a highly publicised press conference for the singer's comeback. Subsequent accounts accused Johnny's associates of staging the conference—famous for its golden backdrop—to protect Kondō and the agency.

Legal status — source text

No judicial finding against Mary

After Shūkan Gendai published an article concerning Johnny's sexual behaviour, Mary was central to the agency's response. According to a former editorial executive, Johnny & Associates informed Kodansha that its talent would no longer be available to the group's media, illustrating the use of access to artists as leverage.