Controversy Erupts Over Photo Leaks Involving Junior Members

It’s a crucial time before their debut.

 

Photos resembling “bed photos” of juniors affiliated with the former Johnny & Associates, now known as “STARTO ENTERTAINMENT” (hereinafter STARTO), have surfaced on X and are making waves. 

 

Several images have leaked, including photos of a man sleeping in bed and screenshots from LINE conversations. Posts summarizing these on X have garnered over 10 million views, shocking fans.

 

“The man pictured is believed to be Raku Kawashita, a member of ‘AmBitious,’ a junior group produced by Tadayoshi Okura from ‘Kanjani Eight,’ now known as ‘SUPER EIGHT.’ The revelation that ‘he had a girlfriend’ alone was shocking to fans, but even more impactful was the exposure of multiple instances of infidelity through LINE exchanges.”  (sports journalist)

 

The “bed photo” featuring the man

 

“I want to be happy. We talked about being together forever, and I loved you so much that I endured it.”

 

This poignant comment was written.

“Kawashita and Ryusei Onishi from Naniwa Danshi, who debuted in 21, joined the agency at the same time. AmBitious, following the CD debut of Ae! group on the 15th of this month, was anticipated as one of the potential debut units. Kawashita seems to have disrupted an important time.” (magazine reporter)

As for AmBitious, earlier this year, images of Riku Koshiba drinking and smoking when he was a minor spread, leading to his departure. Although they now have eight members, this scandal is an additional blow for fans.

On social media, reactions to this matter include:

 

“Can’t believe a guy who can’t settle with just one woman and needs to play around with multiple would ever reflect and stop. He just can’t resist repeating it.”

 

“Looks like Raku Kawashita’s departure is confirmed, huh?”

 

These comments reflect astonishment and disappointment regarding the situation. 

 

“Recently, there have been consecutive scandals involving junior members. Last August, ‘Bi Shonen’ sparked controversy when a video leaked of them throwing cream puffs around in the dressing room, prompting an apology from the agency despite the incident being considered expired. In December of last year, ‘Ae! group’ member Daishi Fukumoto, on the verge of debut, had his contract terminated without explanation.

 

Earlier this year in January, similar to this incident, intimate photos of Kansai juniors with a blonde woman surfaced. With these ongoing scandals, concerns about ‘moral disorder’ are indeed warranted.”  (magazine reporter)

 

In March 2023, BBC exposed the sexual misconduct allegations against the late Johnny Kitagawa, effectively leading to the dissolution of Johnny & Associates. Subsequently, many talented artists like Junichi Okada and Jun Matsumoto have been leaving the agency one after another. 

 

“The group most affected by such circumstances would undoubtedly be the juniors. In the past, they could strive rigorously in their personal lives towards the goal of debut. However, the current situation raises doubts about whether they can debut as before, and even if they do, whether media outlets like TV and newspapers will treat them as prominently as they did with former Johnny’s talents.

 

It’s understandable that their motivation has decreased under these circumstances. In the past, figures like Mary and Julie exerted influence, and there were ‘strict seniors’ like Hideaki Takizawa, but such figures are hard to find now. I believe we will continue to see such scandalous incidents in the future,” (entertainment industry insider)

 

With declining motivation and moral disorder. How will STARTO Entertainment nurture juniors who have been giving fans dreams?