Johnny and Associates - one of the biggest agencies of J-pop singers - has been overwhelmed by allegations against its founder (who passed away in 2019) that over decades he allegedly molested hundreds of young artists. An affair that was kept hidden for a long time despite the fact that the first allegations surfaced in 1999. The inadequacy of victim protection measures in Japan.
I would also like to add that another horrible treatment of young men and women involved in the Japanese idol market (I would call it a meat market even) is the immense social pressure from the talent companies, which has been ruled illegal and unconstitutional, to keep romantic relationships secret, to always appear “available” to the fans. Despite the rulings there are still idols who get caught up in “scandals” from time to time and are more or less forced to issue massive apologies or leave their agency.
I would also like to add that another horrible treatment of young men and women involved in the Japanese idol market (I would call it a meat market even) is the immense social pressure from the talent companies, which has been ruled illegal and unconstitutional, to keep romantic relationships secret, to always appear “available” to the fans. Despite the rulings there are still idols who get caught up in “scandals” from time to time and are more or less forced to issue massive apologies or leave their agency.