The niece of a robust Japanese pop mogul discovered to have sexually abused a whole bunch of younger performers has publicly apologised and stepped down from operating the expertise company he based.

A tearful Julie Keiko Fujishima introduced her resignation as president of Johnny & Associates, the company arrange by her late uncle Johnny Kitagawa, at a news convention in Tokyo on Thursday. She additionally promised to contribute to a compensation fund for victims from her personal fortune.

Kitagawa, who died in 2019 aged 87, was the person behind the most important expertise company in Japan's pop music trade. He was by no means charged over the allegations and the scandal, which emerged totally earlier this 12 months, has shocked the nation.

The males who got here ahead say Kitagawa raped, fondled and abused them whereas they have been working for his firm as dancers and singers. Nine males had shaped a gaggle demanding an apology and monetary compensation.

In August, an inside investigation concluded that he sexually abused younger performers from way back to the Nineteen Fifties.

"This is what my uncle committed, and as a niece, I want to take responsibility," Ms Fujishima mentioned solemnly, dealing with reporters to make the announcement.

She mentioned she would keep on the corporate's board to see by way of a sufferer compensation programme.

At one level, she choked again tears, stressing the achievements of the corporate's singers and dancers. "I only feel deep gratitude to all the fans," she mentioned.

Kitagawa had been so highly effective that she, and plenty of others, had stored silent, she added.

'A horrendous crime'

One alleged sufferer informed reporters he was happy with the apology however nonetheless had reservations.

"The wounds in my heart will not heal," he mentioned. "But I feel a little better."

Another man who got here ahead not too long ago mentioned he was routinely molested earlier than Kitagawa had even arrange his firm, aged simply eight.

Founded in 1962, Johnny & Associates has an enormous cultural presence in Japan, producing a few of the hottest names in J-pop together with SMAP and Arashi, bands with huge fan bases throughout East Asia.

Noriyuki Higashiyama, a former member of the hit Nineteen Eighties boy-band Shonentai, has been named as the brand new head of the company.

"A horrendous crime has been committed," Higashiyama informed reporters. "It will take time to win back trust, and I am putting my life on the line for this effort."

Guinness World Records mentioned it had stripped Kitagawa of all of the data he had held, equivalent to primary hits, based on its coverage towards "criminals".