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Arts·Commotion

Disgraced music exec Johnny Kitagawa and the secret scandal of J-Pop

Director and producer Megumi Inman talks about her new BBC documentary, Predator: The Secret Scandal of J-Pop, which examines the allegations that a high-profile figure in Japan’s music industry sexually abused young boys, who joined his agency with dreams of becoming pop stars, for decades.

A recent BBC documentary about a high-profile figure in Japan’s music industry is making international news

CBC Arts ·
This photo illustration taken in Tokyo on July 10, 2019 shows front pages of Japanese daily newspapers publishing pictures of Japan's leading boyband star-maker Johnny Kitagawa, who died on July 9, 2019. - Japan's leading boyband star-maker Johnny Kitagawa, who built an entertainment empire and broke records with his acts, has died of a stroke, his company said.
A photo illustration showing front pages of Japanese daily newspapers publishing pictures of Japan's leading boyband star-maker Johnny Kitagawa, who died on July 9, 2019. (BEHROUZ MEHRI/AFP via Getty Images)
15:58The secret scandal of J-Pop

A recent BBC documentary about a high-profile figure in Japan's music industry is making international headlines.

Predator: The Secret Scandal of J-Pop looks at allegations that Johnny Kitagawa, head of the talent agency Johnny & Associates, sexually abused young boys who joined the agency with dreams of becoming pop stars for decades.

Megumi Inman, director and producer of the documentary, tells host Elamin Abdelmahmoud about why even after Kitagawa's death in 2019, his long history of allegations have not been widely covered by Japanese media.

WATCH | Why is J-Pop's Johnny Kitagawa still revered in Japan despite being exposed for abuse? from BBC News:

You can listen to the full discussion from today's show on CBC Listen or on our podcast, Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud, available wherever you get your podcasts.

Interview with Megumi Inman produced by Jean Kim.