Editing NHK (section)

=== Relationship with Johnny & Associates and Starto Entertainment ===
{{Main article|Johnny Kitagawa sexual abuse scandal}}
In regards to NHK's relationship with Johnny & Associates, they have stated that NHK acknowledges that sexual abuse allegations related to Johnny & Associates had repeatedly been reported for many years, but NHK also stated that they lacked awareness of the issue at that time and chose not to follow up or cover the issue entirely. In addition, they stated that they failed in their role as a news media organization, and simply sat idle as many minors became sexual abuse victims. On 8 September 2023, NHK said in a statement that they took the matter seriously, and that they would "work harder to ensure that human rights are more respected in the broadcasting industry" when it comes to using performers who best fit program content and production. The public broadcaster added that it did not fully acknowledge the sexual abuse matter despite various weekly magazine articles about the allegations and a [[Tokyo High Court]] ruling in 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230907_33/|title=NHK issues statement following Johnny & Associates news conference|date=7 September 2023|publisher=NHK|access-date=8 September 2023|archive-date=8 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908160132/https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230907_33/|url-status=live}}</ref> A few weeks later, NHK announced that it would suspend new contracts with Johnny's performers–including for their annual [[Ōmisoka|New Year's Eve]] [[television special]] ''[[Kōhaku Uta Gassen]]''–until the company has implemented compensation and recurrence prevention measures.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nippon.com/en/news/yjj2023092700964/nhk-suspends-new-contracts-with-johnny%27s-talents.html|title=NHK Suspends New Contracts with Johnny's Talents|date=27 September 2023|website=nippon.com|publisher=Jiji Press|access-date=27 September 2023|archive-date=27 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927212926/https://www.nippon.com/en/news/yjj2023092700964/nhk-suspends-new-contracts-with-johnny%27s-talents.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=NHK ditches Johnny's acts for year-end musical bonanza |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2023/11/13/entertainment-news/kohaku-johnnys-smile-up/ |website=Japan Times |access-date=11 June 2024|language=English |date=13 November 2023}}</ref> In February 2024, the company announced a strict policy of terminating the appearance of talents formerly affiliated with Johnny & Associates on its programs and not allowing them to appear on new programs after FY2024.<ref>{{cite web |title=旧ジャニーズ、新年度NHK出演当面なし レギュラー8番組も終了へ |url=https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASS2G6FR4S2GUCVL026.html |website=asahi.com |access-date=6 June 2024|language=Japanese |date=14 February 2024}}</ref> In October 2024, NHK Chairman Nobuo Inaba announced at a regular press conference that, he had confirmed efforts of [[Smile-Up]] to compensate victims and prevent recurrence and the separation of management from [[Starto Entertainment]] is steadily progressing, and that requests to perform–including Kōhaku Uta Gassen for current Starto celebrities would resume. Commercial broadcasters had already announced on the resumption of new appointments to celebrities belonging to Starto.<ref>{{cite web |title=NHK、旧ジャニーズのタレント起用再開 紅白出演可能に |url=https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOUC166CH0W4A011C2000000/ |website=nikkei |access-date=2 November 2024|language=Japanese |date=16 October 2024}}</ref>