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Johnny & Associates facts for kids
Logo used from 2018 to 2023
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Headquarters in Minato, Tokyo
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| Private (kabushiki gaisha) | |
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Successor | Starto Entertainment |
| Founded | June 1962 |
| Founder | Johnny Kitagawa |
| Headquarters |
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Japan
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Key people
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Number of employees
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130 |
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Johnny & Associates, Inc. was a famous Japanese talent agency started by Johnny Kitagawa in 1962. A talent agency is a company that helps artists like singers and actors manage their careers. This agency was known for creating popular all-male music groups, called idols. These groups, known as Johnny's. , had a huge influence on Japanese pop music and culture.
For a long time, the company had very strict rules. It controlled how its stars' pictures were used and how their music was shared around the world.
In 2023, the company faced a major challenge because of serious accusations against its founder, Johnny Kitagawa, who passed away in 2019. Because of this, the company made big changes. On October 2, 2023, it announced it would split into two new companies. One is called Smile-Up, which focuses on helping the people affected by the founder's actions. The other is Starto Entertainment, a new talent agency that now manages all the music groups and artists.
Contents
History of the Agency
1962–1989: The Early Years
In 1962, Johnny Kitagawa started his first group, called Johnnys. A few years later, another group he created, Four Leaves, became a big hit. Kitagawa had a special idea for his groups. He wanted them to be amazing performers who could sing and dance, focusing on their personalities and skills.
He created many other successful stars. One was Masahiko Kondō, who won a major music award in 1987. Another was the group Hikaru Genji, which was so popular that three of their songs were on the top music charts in 1988.
The agency became famous for its "idol system." Young boys, known as Johnny Jr., would join the agency to train in singing, dancing, and acting. After years of training, they would get to "debut" as a new group.
1990–2009: Becoming Superstars
In the 1990s, the agency's strategy changed. Besides singing and dancing, the idols also started hosting TV shows. This helped them stay popular for longer.
During this time, the agency decided to stop accepting nominations for some big awards in Japan. They said this was to avoid competition between their own groups.
In 1997, the agency started its own record label, Johnny's Entertainment. They also began a popular New Year's Eve concert at the Tokyo Dome, which was shown live on TV.
By 2007, the agency was still creating record-breaking groups. A temporary group called Hey! Say! 7 became the youngest male group to ever reach the top of the Oricon music charts. Their average age was just 14.8 years old.
2010–2023: A New Era and Big Changes
In 2011, Johnny Kitagawa received two Guinness World Record awards. One was for producing the most number-one hit songs (232 songs). The other was for producing the most concerts (over 8,400).
In 2016, the super-popular group SMAP broke up after 30 years together. This was a big shock to their fans.
After Johnny Kitagawa passed away in 2019, his niece, Julie Keiko Fujishima, became the new president. The company started to change its strict rules. It created a YouTube channel for its trainee groups and allowed its music on streaming services.
However, in 2023, Julie Fujishima stepped down as president due to the serious problems related to the company's founder. Actor Noriyuki Higashiyama took her place. This led to the company's biggest change ever.
A New Beginning: Starto Entertainment
Because of the serious issues from the past, Johnny & Associates decided to completely rebrand. On October 17, 2023, the company officially changed its name to Smile-Up. This company's main job is to provide support and compensation to those who were harmed by the founder.
A brand-new company, called Starto Entertainment, was created to manage all the artists and groups. The name "Starto" combines the word "star" with the Japanese word "to," which means "toward the future."
All groups and companies that had "Johnny's" in their name had to change it. For example, the group Kanjani Eight became Super Eight, and Johnny's West became West.
Starto Entertainment officially began its work in April 2024. It kicked off with a big concert series called "We are! Let's get the party STARTO!!" featuring many of its popular groups.
Helping Others: Charity Projects
The agency has a long history of doing charity work to help people in need.
J-Friends and Marching J
In 1998, the groups KinKi Kids, V6, and Tokio formed a special group called J-Friends. They raised money for people affected by a major earthquake in Japan.
In 2011, after another powerful earthquake and tsunami hit Japan, the agency started a new project called Marching J. Many of its top groups, like SMAP, Arashi, and KAT-TUN, took part in fundraising events to help the victims.
Smile-Up Project
The charity work continued under the name "Smile Up! Project." In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, 76 artists from 15 groups formed a temporary unit called "Twenty Twenty." They released a song called "Smile" to raise money and spirits.
Even after the company's name change, Smile-Up continued to help. In 2024, it raised money for victims of the Noto Peninsula earthquake.
In June 2024, the charity work was moved to a new organization called "Mindful." It will continue to support social causes, including mental health care and education.
Training the Next Stars
The trainees at the agency were known as Johnny's Jr. These young performers would often appear in TV shows and act as backup dancers for the main groups.
In recent years, some Junior groups have become very popular on their own. They have starred in commercials, held their own concerts, and toured the country even before their official debut.
Notable Trainee Groups
- HiHi Jets
- Bi Shonen
- 7 Men Samurai
- Shonen Ninja
- SpeciaL
- Go!Go!Kids
- Lil Kansai
- Boys be
- AmBitious
See also
In Spanish: Johnny & Associates para niños
- List of record labels
- Hadaka no Shōnen