Introduction to The Johnny's entertainment ( ジャニーズ事務所 )
The Johnny's Entertainement company (Johnny's Jimusho in Japanese) was established in 1964 and officially opened in January 1975 by Johnny Kitagawa (real name Kitagawa Hiromu, born in 1931) and his sister Mary (born 1929).
This is a family business, since Julie's daughter Mary (and niece of Johnny) is the president of the label J-Storm
(sub-label which includes Arashi, HEY! SAY! JUMP! Who is responsible broadcast some movies played by Johnny's).
This company is recruiting boys (and only boys) at the age of 8-10 years. They attend singing lessons, dance and theater, before being dispatched in groups when they are a little older.
Some groups are well known, such as SMAP, Tokio, and more recently, KAT-TUN, NEWS, KAnjani8, or Hey! Say! Jump.
There are several categories of Johnny's:
- The trainees: the "beginners". It was at that grade that Uchi and Kusano fell back, the two news items caught drinking spirits, when they were minors.
- Juniors: Those who are well known for making TVs passages, and covers. Some have never started in major, as Ikuta Toma Sano and Mizuki.
- Johnny's: it concerns a lot of members, it is those groups which began in Major.
- The Sempais: As their name suggests, they are responsible for "sponsoring" a group or a member to help start (eg Domoto Koichi (KinKi Kids) who took care of KAT-TUN) .
- The Daisempais: they are the oldest found in the agency (for over twenty years for some) ... found particularly Shonentai and Matchy.
- The J-Stars: those whose groups no longer exist, but have decided to remain in the agency. They are just three at present: Atsuhiro Sato and Koji Uchiumi (former Hikaru Genji) and Kenichi Okamoto (ex Otokogumi, and also the father of Keito Okamoto, a member of Hey! Say! Jump)
International : "e-mail delivery service" called Johnny's International was created was for fans outside of Japan!!
Credits: Nautiljon.com
Translation: Jang Hee Rin