STARTO ENTERTAINMENT Inc

Emerging from the ashes of Johnny & Associates, Starto Entertainment, nestled in Minato, Tokyo, embarked on a journey to redefine the Japanese entertainment landscape. Starto Entertainment’s story began in October 2023, amidst a storm of revelations surrounding Johnny Kitagawa’s past. Julie Keiko Fujishima, Kitagawa’s niece and successor, made the difficult decision to compensate victims and close Johnny & Associates. The name “Johnny” was deliberately erased, a symbolic gesture to sever ties with a troubled legacy. From this tumultuous period, Starto Entertainment was born. Atsushi Fukuda, a seasoned executive with experience at Sony Pictures and Sony Digital Entertainment, took the helm. Fukuda, known for revitalizing actress Rena Nonen’s career, brought a fresh perspective to the industry. He championed a more liberal “agent contract,” offering artists greater autonomy. The name “Starto Entertainment” itself was chosen from over 140,000 entries submitted by devoted fan club members, signifying a collective leap “toward the future.” Starto Entertainment, in its own words, set out to “accompany the current stars and those who will emerge in the future, following their individual personalities and goals.” The company began full operations in April 2024, with a staff of 185, many of whom were former Johnny & Associates employees untainted by the scandal. It inherited a roster of 295 performers across 28 groups. Fukuda, critical of Kitagawa’s actions, recognized the value of the agency’s cultural contributions, even influencing K-pop. Determined to break from restrictive industry norms, Fukuda declared that Starto Entertainment artists would be free to collaborate with anyone. This marked a significant shift. In the past, Johnny & Associates talent rarely shared the stage with artists from other agencies. This newfound openness was evident on “The Music Day” in July 2024. King & Prince, both current and former members, performed alongside Tomohisa Yamashita, who had left the agency in 2020. In 2025, Starto Entertainment faced new challenges and opportunities. Snow Man, a rising group, announced two stadium concerts, a testament to their growing popularity. However, the group KAT-TUN decided to disband, with member Kazuya Kamenashi leaving the agency. Amidst these changes, Starto Entertainment also took a strong stance against ticket scalping, filing a lawsuit against a reselling website. The agency also created a reporting system to address artist rights violations, acting swiftly against defamatory posts targeting Satoshi Ohno of Arashi. Starto Entertainment’s story is one of resilience, transformation, and a commitment to artist empowerment. It represents a new era for Japanese entertainment.