Description
Smile Up, Inc. (株式会社SMILE-UP., Kabushiki gaisha Sumairu Appu ), formerly known as Johnny & Associates, Inc. (株式会社ジャニーズ事務所, Kabushiki gaisha Janīzu Jimusho ), is a Japanese talent agency formed by Johnny Kitagawa in 1962, which manages groups of male idols known as Johnny's (ジャニーズ, Janīzu ). Until 2019, it was infamous for its strict policies involving their foreign distribution of music, as well as their strict control and influence on its members.
In the wake of continuing sexual abuse allegations directed against Kitagawa, who died in 2019, his niece, Julie Keiko Fujishima, stepped down as president in September 2023. In October 2023, new president Noriyuki Higashiyama announced plans to create a new company for managing its talent, while the current Johnny & Associates would be reformed for the purpose of compensating sexual abuse victims. On October 17, Johnny & Associates was renamed Smile Up (branded as "SMILE-UP.").
