Suntory Holdings, McDonald's Japan and Nissan have joined a growing number of companies saying they will not use Johnny & Associates celebrities for new commercials following the agency’s acknowledgement last week that its founder Johnny Kitagawa sexually abused its underage performers.
The move comes after Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance, Japan Airlines, Asahi Group Holdings and Kirin Holdings announced similar decisions last week — a sign that businesses are distancing themselves from the scandal-hit agency.
Major beverage company Suntory said on Tuesday that it will keep Johnny’s performers and other talent in its existing advertising contracts but won’t sign new ones. Hokuto Matsumura, a member of a popular Johnny’s boy band, is part of Suntory's ad campaign for non-alcoholic beer brand All-Free.