Japanese talent agency president quits and apologises for late uncle’s sex abuse

Julie Keiko Fujishima has stepped down as president of Japanese entertainment company Johnny & Associates and apologised for the abuse young clients suffered over decades (Eugene Hoshiko/AP)

A powerful Japanese entertainment company tarnished by sexual assault allegations against its late founder appointed one of its stars as its new president on Thursday after the previous chief resigned and apologised for the abuse young clients suffered over decades.

Julie Keiko Fujishima announced she was stepping down as president of Johnny & Associates, the talent agency founded by her late uncle, Johnny Kitagawa.