Who was Johnny Kitagawa?
JOHNNY Kitagawa was a successful talent manager from Japan, who lead many bands and actors from his country to a successful career.
He died in 2019 after suffering a subarachnoid haemorrhage, but what else do we know about him and his career?
Who was Johnny Kitagawa?
Johnny Kitagawa was a Japanese entertainment mogul, born on October 23, 2019, in Los Angeles.
Kitagawa was a power on the Japanese entertainment scene for more than 40 years, launching a succession of boy bands.
Kitagawa produced famous boybands including Arashi and SMAP and was a kingpin of Japan’s entertainment industry for more than half a century.
He was responsible for 232 number one singles between 1974 and 2010 and was recognised three times by Guinness World Records for his achievements in pop music.
Kitagawa won three Guinness World Records for his production experience, including the most number one singles and most concerts produced by any one individual.
His father Reverand Taido Kitagawa was a Buddhist priest and the third head bishop of the Koyasan Buddhist in Little Tokyo from 1924 to 1933.
His older sister is Mary Yasuko Fujishima, who became chairwoman of his company Johnny & Associates following his death.
When did Johnny Kitagawa die?
His office, Johnny & Associates, says he died from a subarachnoid haemorrhage at a Tokyo hospital on July 9, 2019.
He was 87 years old.
A memorial concert was held on September 4, 2019, at the Tokyo Dome.
Was Johnny Kitagawa married?
Kitagawa was never married.
In 2001, news magazine Shukan Bunshun ran a series of sexual harassment allegations along with claims that Kitagawa had allegedly forced the boys to drink alcohol and smoke.
Johnny & Associates sued Shukan Bunshun for defamation, and in 2002, the Tokyo District Court ruled in favour of Kitagawa, awarding him ¥8.8 million (£53,873.60) in damages.
In 2003, the fine was lowered to ¥1.2 million (£7,346.29) on the basis that the drinking and smoking allegations were defamatory, while the sexual harassment claims were not.
Kitagawa filed an appeal to the Supreme Court of Japan, but it was rejected in 2004.
Did Johnny Kitagawa have any children?
Kitagawa did not father any children.
His trainees in the company were known as Johnny’s Juniors, however these people had no relation to Kitagawa.
The mogul called the artists and trainees his “children” and was affectionately known as Johnny-san, meaning Mr Johnny.