TOKIO disbands after Kokubun Taichi’s sexual harassment scandal
Japan’s iconic boy group TOKIO has officially disbanded following a sexual harassment scandal involving member Kokubun Taichi. The controversy exploded online, prompting intense scrutiny of the group’s troubling background and their label’s dark history.
TOKIO, who debuted in 1984, was managed by legendary talent agency Johnny & Associates. The agency, founded by Johnny Kitagawa in 1962, dominated the male idol scene for decades. However, Kitagawa was posthumously exposed in 2023 for rampant sexual abuse spanning from the early 1970s to the mid-2010s.
Between 1988 and 2000, Kitagawa allegedly exploited adolescent boys under contract, forcing them into sexual relationships. Despite multiple accusations, he never faced criminal charges due to media cover-ups. In 2002, a Japanese court ordered magazine Shukan Bunshun to pay damages after it published allegations against Kitagawa.
A 2023 UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) report confirmed Kitagawa’s abuse, stating he sexually assaulted hundreds of boys signed to Johnny & Associates. The revelations gained momentum after former Johnny’s Jr member Kauan Okamoto came forward with his story.
“478 people have claimed to have been victimized by Kitagawa, and 325 of them sought compensation. Out of these, 150 were confirmed to be signed under Johnny & Associates,” the report stated.
In response, Johnny & Associates publicly acknowledged the abuse on September 7, 2023. The company rebranded and split into two: Smile-Up, handling reparations, and Starto Entertainment, managing current talent.
As of March 2025, Smile-Up reportedly handled 557 lawsuits related to Kitagawa’s abuse. They have paid compensation to 545 victims, covering about 99% of all plaintiffs.
The fallout continues as TOKIO closes its chapter amid Kokubun Taichi’s scandal—unearthing more questions about the legacy of Johnny & Associates and the idol industry’s darkest secrets.
