SMILE-UP. Offers 10-15 Million Yen Compensation Despite Ishimaru’s Lost Earnings Claim

On February 8, Shimon Ishimaru, vice president of the “Association of Parties Concerned with Johnny’s Sexual Assault,” met with the press to report on his meeting with the Victims’ Relief Committee established by “SMILE-UP.” (former Johnny’s Office).

In the meeting, he explained the circumstances of his joining Johnny’s, the details of the sexual damage caused by the late Mr. Kitagawa, and the duration of the damage. He also presented his own calculation of “lost earnings (earnings that could have been earned if he had not been harmed). The company also requested that this be included in the amount of compensation. He also said that the company would present Mr. Ishimaru with the amount of compensation at a later date.

Ishimaru joined Johnny’s at the age of 14. He was a junior dancer for three years, including a stint as a back-up dancer for a boy band. During that time, he was sexually assaulted nearly 100 times, and after leaving the office, he developed depression that interfered with his daily life,” said a reporter from a national newspaper.

When Mr. Ishimaru finally arrived at the interview table, he had a difficult decision to make.

Last September, the association demanded that SMILE-UP. establish a fund and allocate 3% of its annual sales to help the victims. Furthermore, in a meeting with the former Johnny’s office last October, Representative Junya Hiramoto and Mr. Ishimaru asked President Noriyuki Higashiyama to include them in SMILE-UP.

In the process, Mr. Ishimaru said, “I’m only in it for the money,” which led to a string of withdrawals from the association, and the association became a mere skeleton. Furthermore, at the end of last month, Representative Hiramoto also announced his resignation and withdrawal from the association due to poor health, and although he had been waiting for a reaction from SMILE-UP.

(Sports newspaper reporter) In fact, compensation was steadily proceeding during this period.