Two former members of the defunct Japanese talent agency Johnny & Associates had filed lawsuits in a Nevada court in the U.S. 

The lawsuits were  filed in a district court in Nevada by Tanaka Junya and Iida Kyohei. 

According to the complaints, in 1997, when Tanaka was 15 years old, he was sexually assaulted by the agency’s president Kitagawa Johnny at a hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

In 2002, when Iida was 14 years old, he claims he was sexually assaulted by Kitagawa at the same hotel and other places. 

The two are seeking a total of $300 million in compensation from “SMILE-UP.” and STARTO ENTERTAINMENT.

“SMILE-UP.” changed its name from Johnny's, and STARTO ENTERTAINMENT was formed from many of the talents of Johnny's.

In response, “SMILE-UP.” said it will proceed with its response while consulting with their lawyers in the United States.”

STARTO ENTERTAINMENT said it is very confused that the company has been sued because it was not involved in the matter.