The Dark Ambition Linking Johnny Kitagawa and Yukio Mishima

The Commonalities Between the Two Extraordinary Individuals

In the previous article , “[Very Similar to the End of Johnny’s Sexual Assault Case] The ‘Too Implicit’ Stage Production Left Behind by Yukio Mishima,” we discussed the contents of a shocking stage performance that seemed to overlap with the end of Johnny’s collapse.

Yukio Mishima and Johnny Kitagawa share many commonalities. First, ① homosexuality. Although Mishima was married and had two children, he is often considered a bisexual. 

Nonetheless, his breakout work, “Confessions of a Mask”, features a protagonist who is incapable of loving women and only feels sexual desire for men, which drew significant attention as a semi-autobiographical piece. 

Was Mishima truly homosexual? It is said that this is now almost a fact, supported by confessional works from men who claimed to have had relationships with him, which included letters from Mishima. 

In the case of Johnny Kitagawa, the agency has acknowledged numerous sexual abuses against underage boys, so this is already well established. 

Next, ② worldwide fame and scandal.

Mishima was a candidate for the Nobel Prize, and many of his works have been translated and read around the world, making him an international literary figure. 

His shocking seppuku (ritual suicide) led to the scandalous image of “MISHIMA = HARAKIRI” being spread globally. 

Johnny Kitagawa is a legend whose name is inscribed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the producer who created the most hit songs in the world. 

However, after his death, a BBC documentary revealed numerous sexual abuses against underage boys, labeling him one of the worst sexual offenders in human history, resulting in a global scandal. 

Mishima formed a group called the Shield Society, gathering male students and dressing them in flamboyant military uniforms to conduct demonstrations with the youth. 

On the other hand, Johnny’s agency has produced a unique array of young male idols. 

In other words, ③ homosexual men have gathered young boys to form flamboyant performance groups. 

While there is no evidence that Mishima engaged in sexual abuse of Shield Society members, there was a male student who committed seppuku alongside him. There is a persistent theory that this was a tragic love death or a double suicide between two beloved individuals.

Did Mishima and Johnny have any personal interactions?

Both individuals are surprisingly short.

Mishima is said to be 163 cm tall, though some claims suggest he was even shorter.

Johnny Kitagawa’s height is undisclosed, but it’s rumored to be in the 150 cm range.

Mishima harbored a strong complex about his small and fragile physique, and after turning 30, he dedicated himself to bodybuilding, becoming quite muscular (similarly, Matsumoto Hitoshi and Nagabuchi Tsuyoshi, known for transforming their weak bodies through bodybuilding, are noted as having the “Mishima Complex,” coincidentally, they have also been reported in connection with sexual abuse allegations).

While Johnny Kitagawa did not engage in bodybuilding, it is said that he always wore high-heeled shoes.

Now, despite sharing these commonalities, did Mishima Yukio and Johnny Kitagawa ever meet?

Mishima’s novel “Confessions of a Mask” boldly portrays the world of homosexuals. It was serialized in a magazine from 1951 to 1953 and extensively researched gay bars and cruising spots of the time.

One such bar was the Brunswick in Ginza, where Mishima encountered the young Miwa Akihiro.

“There are photographs of the guests at Brunswick, many of whom were related to GHQ and the U.S. military. (Omitted) Mishima had early interactions with them.” (Inoue Takashi, “A Brief Biography of Mishima Yukio” / “Encyclopedia of Mishima Yukio”)

Around the same time, Johnny Kitagawa, after serving in the Korean War, lived as a military dependent in the U.S. military facility Washington Heights in Yoyogi. He gathered boys to form a baseball team, which later became Johnny’s.

Mishima’s “Confessions of a Mask” also features American gay characters, so it would not be surprising if Johnny Kitagawa were among the numerous American military personnel who frequented Brunswick.

Could it be that Mishima and Johnny had met!?

Such speculations arise.

Another person who overlaps with Johnny Kitagawa.

The novel “Forbidden Colors” features the stunningly beautiful young man, Yuichi Minami, as its protagonist. He is a homosexual who cannot love women. The ugly old writer, Shunsuke Hinoki, seeks to possess this beautiful youth, manipulating him to take revenge on women.

I realize now—this Hinoki must be Johnny Kitagawa!

In this case, the beautiful youth, Yuichi Minami, represents Johnny’s idols who are produced under his control. Just as the women in this story are plunged into the depths of misfortune, many female fans of Johnny’s are suffering today.

It is truly a real-life Forbidden Colors.

Mishima’s novels, including “The Sound of Waves,” have been adapted into films many times. However, Forbidden Colors has never been adapted for screen. It is said that Mishima’s wife greatly disliked this novel, likely to avoid spreading rumors about her husband’s gay allegations.

However, if Forbidden Colors were ever to be adapted into a film, I would love to see a former Johnny’s talent play the role of the beautiful youth, Yuichi Minami.

Now, one last mystery remains.

The connection between Mishima Yukio and Johnny is Taisuke Fujishima, who was the husband of Mary Kitagawa, the father of Julie Keiko, and a junior of Mishima at Gakushuin. He is considered the hidden father of Johnny’s.

What kind of relationship did Fujishima have with his brother-in-law, Johnny Kitagawa? This is not found in Johnny’s statements or in Fujishima’s writings. It remains a complete mystery.

Taking advantage of the upward ambition.

In the past, Gakushuin Primary School was attended by many children from the imperial family, former nobility, and aristocrats. Both Yukio Mishima and Taisuke Fujishima came from commoner backgrounds, which instilled a strong sense of inferiority in both of them.

Mishima had a deep admiration for court literature and ultimately shouted “Long live the Emperor!” before committing seppuku.

Fujishima capitalized on his connections with the imperial family. He posed as a false Frenchman (Paul Bonnet) and looked down on Japanese people. Throughout his life, he was possessed by a strong desire for upward mobility.

There is a book by Fujishima titled “Japan’s Upper Class Society,” subtitled “Exploring the Noble Secret Realm,” which reflects his aspiration for high society. It was published in 1965.

In the following year, 1966, “High Society,” a junior group of the first Johnny’s, was formed. It was a six-member boy band.

This “High Society” was actually named after Fujishima’s earlier book “Japan’s Upper Class Society”!

Remarkably, Johnny Kitagawa had sent a new group into the world, deriving its name from Fujishima’s book. Herein lies a connection between the two.

The High Society underwent several changes in its membership.

One of its members later confessed to the sexual abuse he suffered at the hands of Johnny Kitagawa (in “Farewell!! to Hikaru GENJI,” published in 1989).

“Hey, should I make you a solo? I know you want to try it.”

This was a sweet invitation from Johnny.

It is all too blatant. High Society was trying to exploit the aspirations for success in the entertainment world to prey on the sexuality of boys.

Yukio Mishima transcended his frail body and achieved self-determination. Taisuke Fujishima lived in the illusion of a fictitious high society. And the grotesque sexual high society of Johnny Kitagawa.

Now, it seems as if we are witnessing the convergence of these three peculiar stars.

The light of these ominous stars clearly illuminates the present, the 100th year of the Showa era.