"Sexual Relations with Minor Idols 'Common in the Industry,' Says Agency CEO, Shocking Japan"

Torimaru Arrested on 12 Counts of Sexual Exploitation
Denies Charges in Police Investigation, Claims "Serious Relationship"

At the end of last year, a major scandal erupted in the Japanese entertainment industry when former SMAP member Masahiro Nakai and others were accused of receiving sexual favors from Fuji TV announcers. Now, controversy is growing as a Japanese entertainment agency CEO in his 30s has been arrested by police on suspicion of having sexual relations multiple times with a minor idol under his management. The CEO further shocked Japanese society by claiming, "It is common in this industry for CEOs and idols to date."

Entertainment agency 'Go Little By Little' CEO Torimaru Hiroshi. Agency website

On September 18, Japanese media outlets including Sankei Shimbun reported that police had arrested Torimaru Hiroshi, the 39-year-old CEO of the entertainment agency Go Little By Little, on charges of violating the Child Welfare Act. During police questioning, Torimaru partially admitted to the allegations but defended himself by stating, "I considered it a serious relationship. In this industry, it is common for CEOs and idols to date."

According to the investigation, from April 2021 to October 2022, Torimaru used his position as CEO to call a then 15-year-old idol singer under his agency to a hotel in Tokyo on 12 separate occasions and committed indecent acts. The victim, referred to as Ms. A, is now 20 years old but was a minor at the time of the incidents. The case came to light when Ms. A visited a police station in March of this year and filed a complaint, stating, "I was sexually assaulted by the agency CEO starting when I was 15." Investigations revealed that Torimaru lured her to a hotel in Tokyo under the pretext of "taking photos to sell to fans," and threatened that "if you do not comply with my demands, you cannot continue your idol activities," before committing indecent acts.

During the police investigation, Ms. A stated, "Being called to the hotel was mentally distressing, but I really loved being an idol and wanted to continue, so I could not refuse the CEO's demands. I thought that if I refused, I would not be able to continue as an idol." Police have confiscated Torimaru's mobile phone and are investigating whether there are additional victims.