Tokyo: Japanese talent agency Smile-Up. Inc., formerly Johnny & Associates Inc., said Friday that the new company set up to take over its talent management operations has been named Starto Entertainment Inc.

Johnny & Associates changed its name to Smile-Up. in October, in response to a sexual abuse scandal involving its late founder, Johnny Kitagawa.

Smile-Up. had said that it would focus solely on operations related to compensating sexual abuse victims while a new company would be created to take charge of the talent agency’s talent management operations.

On Friday, Smile-Up. said that the new firm aims to launch full-scale operations in April 2024, after completing preparations and procedures related to the handover.

Starto Entertainment will sign fresh contracts with performers and groups that want to be a part of the talent agency group. Aside from management contracts, the company will offer the option of agent contracts, allowing a higher degree of freedom in performers’ activities. It will also support their activities outside Japan.

Atsushi Fukuda, head of a consulting firm, will become CEO of Starto Entertainment. Fukuda previously worked for Sony Pictures Entertainment (Japan) Inc.

In a statement released on the day, Fukuda said he hopes to create an environment in which fans can cheer on the group’s performers with peace of mind.

Yoshihiko Inohara, vice president of Smile-Up. and himself a performer, will be Starto Entertainment’s chief operating officer. The rest of the new company’s board will be made up of people with no ties to Smile-Up., the talent agency said.

Smile-Up.’s president, Noriyuki Higashiyama, was initially set to double as head of Starto Entertainment, but the plan was ditched after criticism that management of the two companies should be separated.

Smile-Up. also said it has set up an outside advisory board in response to a proposal by a team of outside experts discussing preventative measures over the sexual abuse scandal.

JIJI Press