Ms Fujishima has named as her successor Noriyuki Higashiyama, a household television name in Japan. The 56-year-old was also one of the first talents recruited by Johnny and Associates.
Mr Higashiyama said he had never been a victim of Kitagawa’s abuse but had been aware of the rumours.
“I couldn’t, and didn’t, do anything about it,” he told the news conference.
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