A third-party special panel of experts investigating the sexual abuse allegations against Johnny Kitagawa, the founder of the all-male talent agency Johnny & Associates Inc., said it will examine the corporate culture that allowed the alleged acts to occur.
The group, which was established in May by the agency to prevent a recurrence, said at a press conference in Tokyo on Monday that it intends to look into the cases from an outside perspective -- independent from the agency -- and will compile preventive measures.
The panel of experts comprises three members -- lawyer Makoto Hayashi, the chair of the panel and a former prosecutor general; psychiatrist Nozomu Asukai; and a female clinical psychology researcher who helps victims of sexual violence. The group said it held its first meeting on May 29.
