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SMILE-UP. CEO Higashiyama Steps Down After Three Years of Abuse Compensation
Noriaki Higashiyama resigned as president of SMILE-UP. on September 28, 2026, after three years managing victim compensation for sexual abuse linked to late founder Johnny Kitagawa. Lawyer Masayuki Yamada will assume the presidency on October 1. The company reported receiving 1,047 compensation claims to date, with 578 victims having received payments.
Quick Facts
- Higashiyama announced resignation as SMILE-UP. president
- Yamada named as successor president
- Victim compensation claims processed
- BBC documentary aired featuring abuse allegations
- Company rebranded from Johnny & Associates to SMILE-UP.





Noriaki Higashiyama, president of SMILE-UP. (formerly Johnny & Associates), announced his resignation on September 28, 2026, marking the end of his three-year tenure overseeing victim compensation related to sexual abuse allegations against late founder Johnny Kitagawa. Higashiyama, who took the role in 2023 following the high-profile BBC documentary that exposed the allegations, stated at a Tokyo press conference that his departure "does not mean we are drawing a line" on providing redress to victims. He emphasized his intention to continue addressing the issue as an individual after leaving the position.
Lawyer Masayuki Yamada, who currently serves as the company's Chief Compliance Officer, will assume the presidency on October 1, 2026, while retaining his compliance role. Representative Director Julie Keiko Fujishima, the niece of Kitagawa who resigned as president in 2023 before returning to her current position, will remain in her role. The company stated that future compensation work will focus on "legal procedures and situations requiring specialized judgment."
As of the announcement date, SMILE-UP. reported receiving compensation claims from 1,047 individuals. The company's victim relief committee had notified 587 claimants of compensation terms, with 578 having received payments. An additional 231 were informed they did not qualify for compensation, while 226 remained uncontactable. The agency, which rebranded as Smile-Up in 2023 following the March 2023 BBC documentary, has stated plans to close as an entity once victim compensation is complete.
Highashiyama, a veteran TV personality and former member of the boy band Shonen-tai who joined the agency in 1979, declined to discuss concrete plans regarding a return to the entertainment industry. His resignation comes as the company continues its remedial efforts following decades of abuse allegations against Kitagawa, who died in 2019.
Why This Matters
SMILE-UP. faces leadership transition amid ongoing victim compensation operations related to founder Johnny Kitagawa's alleged abuse. The company has processed 1,047 compensation claims with 578 paid to date; 231 deemed ineligible; and 226 uncontactable. The organization plans to dissolve once compensation concludes, making leadership continuity operationally critical to meeting remaining claimant obligations and compliance procedures.
Timeline & Sources
Jan 1, 1979
WireNoriaki Higashiyama joined Johnny & Associates
Jan 1, 1985
WireHigashiyama debuted as member of boy band Shonen-tai
Oct 1, 2026
WireMasayuki Yamada (lawyer, Chief Compliance Officer) assumes CEO role
Oct 1, 2026
WireMasayuki Yamada assumes presidency of SMILE-UP.
Related Signals
Sources
- SMILE-UP. 東山紀之社長が退任へYahoo!ニュースMediaSep 28, 2026
- 東山紀之氏がスマイルアップの社長を退任 ジャニーズ性加害問題毎日新聞MediaSep 28, 2026
- 「SMILE―UP.」東山紀之社長が退任へ…旧ジャニーズ事務所の性加害問題で被害者の補償業務行う読売新聞MediaSep 28, 2026
- 「SMILE-UP.」東山紀之社長が退任へTBS NEWS DIGMediaSep 28, 2026
- President of Johnny's successor company to step down at end of Sept.kyodoMediaSep 28, 2026