Noriyuki Higashiyama to step down as SMILE-UP. president

Noriyuki Higashiyama, president of SMILE-UP. (formerly Johnny & Associates), announced at a press conference on September 28 that he will step down from his position on September 30 following the expiration of his term.

Higashiyama has led the company's efforts over the past three years to address compensation for victims of sexual abuse by the late founder, Johnny Kitagawa. He stated that his departure does not mean the end of victim relief efforts, emphasizing, “My feeling that I want to fulfill the necessary compensation for every last person remains completely unchanged.” He added that he intends to continue facing the issue as an individual, though he has no immediate plans to return to the entertainment industry.

As of the announcement, 1,047 individuals have filed claims for compensation, with 587 having received notifications regarding their settlement details. Masayuki Yamada, a lawyer currently serving as Chief Compliance Officer, is scheduled to succeed Higashiyama as president on October 1.