SMILE-UP Stirs Turmoil for Lack of Action Towards Sexual Assault Issue

Slander against current and former members of the “Johnny’s Sexual Assault Victims’ Association” is becoming more and more intense – and more severe.

On November 4, Yasunobu Shiga, a former member of “Ninja” who accused the late Johnny Kitagawa of sexual assault, updated his X (formerly Twitter) and announced that he would respond to the slanderers with criminal charges. On the previous day, November 3, he had blurted out in the YouTube video “Machiroku ch～Your Life, Please Tell Me～” that the reason for his leaving Ninja was the pregnancy of a woman he was dating at the time, as well as his accumulated resentment toward Mr. Johnny.

After the release of the video, Shiga apparently received a considerable number of slanderous comments

“I’m sorry. Please don’t make comments that you don’t know the reason for. I’m sorry. I will block such people.”

He continued,

“Just one thing. Prepare yourself. We have all the evidence. The prefectural police are already on their way.”

“Nibongi, Iida, Shiga, let’s start here. Criminal proceedings. You will pay for your crimes. I will never forgive you. You’re just like Johnny and Merry.” 

and so on.

Regarding the slander, Junya Hiramoto, the representative of the parties’ association, submitted a complaint to the Kanagawa Prefectural Police on the 10th of last month on the charge of defamation, which was accepted.

 

Kyohei Iida, a former member of “Kis-My-Ft2,” whom Shiga named, also posted on X on the 28th of last month

“Unfortunately, nothing that a blind and narrow-minded person who doesn’t know the intent of what he says and only believes what he wants to believe will resonate with anyone.”

He posted.

“Mr. Shiga left the association early last month due to differences in direction, and has taken a hard line against the former Johnny’s office. Mr. Iida also quit the association and has been working with Mr. Shiga. The radicals have been particularly attacked by Johnny’s fans, who say things like, ‘You ruined the office,’ and ‘Take responsibility.’”