September 7, Thursday, 2023

1. The head of Johnny & Associates talent agency has said its late founder, Johnny Kitagawa sexually abused young men, and she has stepped down from the president role to take responsibility. Julie K. Fujishima, Kitagawa’s niece, said at a press conference in Tokyo on Thursday that her uncle abused minors. Following her resignation, which she said took place on Tuesday, Johnny performer Higashiyama Noriyuki became the new president.
2. An internationally-acclaimed Japanese conductor will lead an opera performance in Odesa, southern Ukraine, in an effort to encourage people in the war-torn country. Yoshida Hirofumi will lead the production of Puccini’s “La Boheme” at the Odesa National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre. 3. Japan has successfully launched an H2A rocket carrying an X-ray satellite, as well as a probe that will attempt to make the nation’s first lunar landing.