Shimon Ishimaru and SMILE Corp Head Face Court Over Defamation

The limit is 20 million yen

Noriyuki Higashiyama (58), the president of SMILE-UP. (hereafter, SMILE Corporation), has made headlines after suing Shimon Ishimaru, the former vice president of the dissolved “Johnny’s Sexual Abuse Victims’ Association.”

In the wake of the sexual abuse scandals involving the late Johnny Kitagawa, Johnny’s Office was dismantled, and operations were split between SMILE Corporation, which specializes in compensation, and “STARTO ENTERTAINMENT,” which handles talent management and agency services.

As of October 31, SMILE Corporation had received compensation claims from a total of 1,002 individuals. Of the 766 claimants they were able to contact, 752 (about 98%) were notified regarding whether they would receive compensation. The Victim Relief Committee informed 538 people about the compensation details and notified 214 that they would not receive compensation. Among the 538 who received compensation notifications, 524 (about 97%) agreed to the terms, and 511 (about 95%) received compensation payments.

On the other hand, Ishimaru, who was dissatisfied with the compensation amount offered by SMILE Corporation, had been engaged in mediation with the company at the Saitama Summary Court. During the third round of mediation on October 3, SMILE Corporation offered 20 million yen, but Ishimaru rejected this offer. Given the significant gap between the proposed amounts, the mediation committee instructed the company to consider withdrawing from the process, as an agreement was unlikely to be reached.

On November 6, according to a report from Tōsupo Web, an email was sent from SMILE Corporation to Ishimaru, reiterating that it would not be possible to offer compensation exceeding 20 million yen and notifying him as follows:

“We have filed a lawsuit in court to determine the final amount.”

In response to the website’s inquiry, Ishimaru questioned, “Will the perpetrators hold a public trial for the plaintiff?” and criticized SMILE Corporation’s notion of compensation beyond the law”

“I don’t understand why they are trying to frame this as a legal matter within the confines of the law.”

 

Physical condition due to flashbacks

According to individuals who know Shimon Ishimaru, he reportedly stated the following about the compensation amount:

“At the very least, it should start at 100 million yen. This has been consistent. There was even a time when I mentioned to those around me that ‘I won’t accept less than 200 million yen.'”

He cannot accept 20 million yen, which is one-tenth of his desired amount.

On the internet, Ishimaru has been criticized with remarks such as greedy, it’s all about the money, and isn’t this too much greed? However, it is also true that the only way to heal the emotional scars caused by Johnny Kitagawa’s atrocities is through money.

A member of the victims’ association’s network expresses frustration:

“Those who are posting defamatory comments online don’t understand the ‘hell’ that those who repeatedly suffered sexual abuse from Johnny have gone through. Ishimaru has struggled with daily life due to the abuse he endured, and he still suffers from physical health issues due to flashbacks. He should be compensated for the medical treatment costs and the income he lost due to his inability to work when he was healthy.”

There is also the risk of future seizures or hyperventilation, and there’s a possibility of lifelong medical treatment.

As a result of the ongoing turmoil, a planned press conference by Ishimaru was canceled due to health issues and later changed to a phone interview.

“Not only for now, but also for the past and future, SMILE Corporation must compensate. When you consider that, 20 million yen is far too little. They are focusing on the financial balance with those who have already received compensation, but that’s just SMILE Corporation’s ‘convenient’ view,” said a source close to the association.

Ishimaru is reportedly living on the edge financially, relying on various forms of support.

A former colleague of Ishimaru from the victims’ association, and former Ninja member, Yasunobu Shiga, wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on November 5:

“My defamation, I have been sharing various things, so maybe it’s unavoidable.”

He continued:

“But please stop defaming the victims who have gathered the courage to come forward and confess. Please, I ask you. I truly pray that you stop.”

It is imperative to prevent secondary victimization of sexual abuse survivors due to public bashing.