Former Johnny’s Jr. Akimasa Nihongi Reports to UN on Japan’s Culture of Impunity and Human Rights Issues
At the UN Human Rights Council meeting held in Geneva, Switzerland, on June 26, various human rights violations in Japan, including the sexual abuse issues involving the late Johnny Kitagawa, were addressed, and a report was released stating that “Japan has structural issues concerning human rights.”
The meeting was also attended by Nikenori Nihonju, 40, who has accused the late Janie Kitagawa of sexual abuse and now lives in Ireland to protect his family from slander and
According to Mr. Nihongi, the UN Human Rights Council welcomed him.
“Chairman Robert offered me encouraging words for speaking out. I was also able to reunite with the UN Human Rights Council members who visited Japan last July to investigate the sexual abuse issues involving the late Johnny Kitagawa. I felt overwhelmed with gratitude and my heart was warmed when I thought that without their investigation, this issue might not have progressed so far. The UN Human Rights Council’s working group promised to continue monitoring this issue and human rights problems within Japan’s entertainment industry.”
Mr. Nihongi spoke in fluent English without an interpreter, stating, “For over half a century, the sexual abuse issues involving the late Johnny Kitagawa were neglected and never treated as a human rights issue. It was not reported by the media, and sexual abuse of boys was not considered a problem.” He also noted, “At least one of the victims who exposed the abuse has committed suicide,” and urged, “The Japanese government should implement all policies necessary to create a society where companies protect children,” and “The Japanese media should accurately report on sexual abuse issues.” He expressed his gratitude to the UN Human Rights Council for addressing this problem.
After listening to Mr. Nihongi’s speech, the UN Human Rights Council team was reportedly shocked, saying, “To think that this was left unaddressed for so long.”
“Chairman Robert reported that Japan has a culture of impunity. The term culture of impunity literally refers to a culture where, when a problem is revealed, no punishment is imposed on the causes of the problem, and it is left unaddressed.
Because of this culture, many issues are treated as if they do not exist, and no one questions them. The UN Human Rights Council stated that it is important to resolve each of these issues one by one and that as a result, Japan will benefit in the future.”
