Breaking the Silence: Atsuhiko Nakata Discusses Johnny Kitagawa’s Sexual Abuse Allegations

On April 23rd, popular YouTuber Atsuhiko Nakata (5.13 million subscribers) posted a video discussing the sexual abuse allegations against Johnny Kitagawa.

Speaking Up Instead of Being Complicit

Despite the silence of Japanese media on the issue (at the time of recording), Nakata received numerous requests from viewers to address the topic. He admits to feeling conflicted, fearful, and resistant. His lawyer even advised against it.

However, Nakata believes that staying silent would imply complicity or acceptance. He sees the lack of scrutiny on this issue despite numerous accusations over decades as “the biggest second rape.” This led him to decide to release the video.

The video was published without ads, as a public service, and included English subtitles due to the high international interest.

Is Japan Truly a Democratic Developed Country?

Nakata starts by explaining why the BBC picked up the story and provides a chronological overview of Johnny’s history. He highlights past allegations, such as those from Four Leaves’ Kita Koji in 1988 and the original Johnny’s Nakaya Ryo in 1989. Additionally, he mentions how the issue was raised in the Diet following a 1999 Weekly Bunshun feature and how sexual abuse was confirmed in court.

Nakata also points out legal shortcomings, such as the fact that only male victims were recognized until the 2017 change from rape to forced sexual intercourse, and that Japan has the lowest age of consent among developed countries at 13.

After an hour-long explanation, Nakata concludes with:

If we think about it internationally, tolerating or ignoring child abuse is entirely different from recognizing Johnny’s achievements. Society must verify the facts, the press must fulfill its role, and companies must be accountable, even if the founder has passed away. I, as a Japanese person, don’t know how to explain why Japan isn’t like this.

Praise in the Comments Section

The comment section is filled with praise, including a message from Kauan Okamoto, who inspired Nakata’s video:

I think it’s essential for everyone to have a chance to think about this issue.

Other comments express gratitude for Nakata’s bravery in addressing a sensitive topic and the contradictions in Japan’s laws and education. There are also many comments from international viewers.

Link as below:

Video Summary:

1. The video is about allegations of child abuse involving Johnny’s, the largest entertainment agency in Japan.
2. The allegations date back to the early days of Johnny’s and involve several well-known figures in the entertainment industry.
3. Despite being a significant case, it has received little coverage in the mainstream media.
4. The video creator received numerous requests to cover the story and consulted with a lawyer before deciding to proceed.
5. The existence of video evidence and the power of social media have played a role in bringing attention to the issue.