[All] What is Johnny's? A Complete Guide: Past Groups, Current Members, and President [2026 Latest Edition]

Johnny & Associates changed its name to SMILE-UP. in 2023, and its talent management operations were transferred to STARTO ENTERTAINMENT. This article provides a thorough explanation of the latest information for 2026, covering everything from a list of past Johnny's groups, current members, president information, and Johnny's Juniors, who have led the Japanese entertainment industry for over 60 years.

What is Johnny's? A Complete Guide: Past Groups, Current Members, and President [2026 Latest Edition]

"Johnny's" has laid the foundation for Japanese male idol culture. SMAP, Arashi, KAT-TUN, Snow Man... Why not take a look back at the history and current state of Johnny's idols who have been loved across generations? As of 2026, the former Johnny's office continues to move forward in a new form as STARTO ENTERTAINMENT. We have compiled all the information you want to know, from past groups to the latest members, the change in president, and former Johnny's members who have become successful after going independent.

table of contents

1. What is Johnny's? — A 3-minute recap of its more than 60-year history
2. List of Johnny's groups throughout history
3. What's happening with Johnny's now? What is STARTO ENTERTAINMENT?
4. List of affiliated groups and members as of 2026
5. Who is the president of Johnny's? A look back at the past leaders.
6. What is Johnny's Jr.? The path to debut
7. Top 10 Idols Who Succeeded After Leaving Johnny's (Latest 2026 Edition)
8. 2026's Must-See Activities and Live Performances

1. What is Johnny's? — A 3-minute recap of its more than 60-year history

Johnny & Associates is Japan's largest male idol production company, founded in 1962 by Johnny Kitagawa and incorporated as a limited company in 1975. From its inception, it has upheld the philosophy of cultivating idols who excel in singing, dancing, and acting, and has led the Japanese entertainment industry for over half a century.

A defining characteristic of Johnny's idols is their trainee system, known as Johnny's Juniors. From a young age, they undergo rigorous training, gaining experience as backup dancers for senior groups before finally making their group debut. This gateway system has produced countless stars.

In October 2023, following the official recognition of the sexual assault allegations against founder Johnny Kitagawa, Johnny & Associates changed its name to "SMILE-UP." The management of its affiliated talents was transferred to a new company established on the same day, "STARTO ENTERTAINMENT." Although the name "Johnny's" is no longer officially used, fans still affectionately refer to the company as "Old Johnny's" due to their fondness for past groups and members.

2. List of Johnny's groups throughout history

It's no exaggeration to say that the groups produced by Johnny & Associates throughout history are synonymous with Japanese pop culture itself. Below is a list of major Johnny's groups throughout history.

So many Johnny's groups have been launched into the world, each thrilling fans in its own era. Including those that have changed their group names, the lineage of Johnny's groups throughout history is intertwined with the history of Japanese music itself.

3. What is the current status of Johnny's? What is STARTO ENTERTAINMENT?

As of 2026, the former "Johnny & Associates" has split into two separate companies.

■ SMILE-UP.

This company was formerly Johnny & Associates, and was renamed on October 17, 2023. It specializes solely in providing care and compensation to victims of sexual assault by Johnny Kitagawa, and plans to cease operations after the compensation process is complete. Noriyuki Higashiyama (of Shonentai) serves as the representative director and president.

■ STARTO ENTERTAINMENT

This new company was established on October 17, 2023, to take over the talent management and training operations of the former Johnny & Associates. The company name was decided through a public contest among fan club members (140,156 entries). It embodies the meaning of "STAR + TO (towards the future)."

On June 27, 2025, the CEO changed, with Katsuaki Suzuki, former president of TV Nishinippon, taking over as the new president. The first CEO, Jun Fukuda, and Yoshihiko Inohara of V6, who served as Director and CMO (and subsequently focused on his entertainment career), stepped down. As of 2026, Katsuaki Suzuki is the Representative Director and CEO, and Shinichiro Tsukuda is the Director and COO.

Furthermore, the training and discovery of Johnny's Juniors has been outsourced to J-pop Legacy, headed by Tadayoshi Ohkura (SUPER EIGHT), since April 2025.

4. List of affiliated groups and members as of 2026

STARTO ENTERTAINMENT has numerous groups and solo artists associated with the former Johnny & Associates under management or agency contracts.

Groups (in alphabetical order)

Main solo artists

Takuya Kimura, Koichi Domoto, Kento Nakajima, Shori Sato (solo), Fuma Kikuchi (solo), and many others are under contract with STARTO ENTERTAINMENT.

Furthermore, in March 2026, all of KAT-TUN's songs became available for streaming, further expanding access to music by former Johnny's idols.

5. Who is the president of Johnny's? A look back at past presidents.

The position of president of Johnny & Associates has long been passed down through the founding family. The main representatives throughout history are summarized below.

At a press conference in September 2023, Julie Fujishima Keiko resigned as president to take responsibility for the sexual assault allegations. Noriyuki Higashiyama, formerly of the group Shonentai, was appointed as her successor as president of SMILE-UP. Meanwhile, STARTO ENTERTAINMENT, which handles talent management, has hired business professionals from outside to refresh its structure. As of 2026, the president (CEO) of STARTO ENTERTAINMENT is Katsuaki Suzuki.

6. What is Johnny's Jr.? The path to debut

Johnny's Jr. (Johnny's Juniors) is a general term for trainee groups belonging to Johnny & Associates (now SMILE-UP.) that have not yet made their CD debut. There are more than 300 members in total, including Tokyo Juniors and Kansai Juniors, and it is said that about 200 new members join each year.

The target age range for applicants is approximately 8 to 15 years old. After a document screening and interview, the boys who pass the screening undergo dance and singing lessons, mainly on weekends. During their time as Johnny's Juniors, their main work consists of being backup dancers for senior groups that have already debuted, and performing in solo concerts.

In recent years, Johnny's Juniors have also been very active on their YouTube channel, "Junior CHANNEL," which has over 2 million subscribers. It has a track record of producing many popular members who later debuted, such as "Uchu Six," to which Snow Man's Ren Meguro was formerly a member, and "Shonen Ninja," to which Raul belonged.

Since April 2025, the training, discovery, and production of Johnny's Juniors has been outsourced to J-pop Legacy (President: Tadayoshi Ohkura), and the development of the next generation of stars continues under this new system.

7. Top 10 Idols Who Succeeded After Leaving Johnny's (Latest 2026)

In April 2026, the internet survey site "Freeasy" conducted a survey of 500 men and women aged 25 to 65 across Japan and released a ranking of "celebrities who are thought to have succeeded after going independent following the former Johnny's scandal."

1st Place: Kazunari Ninomiya (Arashi)

The winner, taking first place, is Kazunari Ninomiya. With a sequel to the TBS drama "VIVANT" scheduled to air from July 2026, his reputation as an actor is growing even stronger. In addition to "Nino Nanoni" (TBS), which he hosts, "Friday Mystery Club" (NTV) will also start from April 2026, and he is actively working in both hosting and acting. Many people commented, "He's good at acting, he's good at hosting and his talk is interesting," and "He has his own show and is stable."

Even after losing the backing of the former Johnny's, their continued brilliance, fueled by the skills and individuality they cultivated since their Johnny's Jr. days, reaffirms the enduring strength of Johnny's idols.

8. Notable Activities and Live Performances in 2026

This is a summary of the main developments related to Johnny's (STARTO ENTERTAINMENT) in 2026.

• storm ARASHI is currently on their LIVE TOUR 2026 "We are ARASHI". Their Tokyo Dome performance on May 31st, 2026 (Sunday) will be live-streamed on FAMILY CLUB online. Additionally, their digital album "We are ARASHI (Members' selection)" is available for a limited time starting May 1st, 2026.
• King & Prince The LIVE Blu-ray/DVD of DOME TOUR 2026 "~STARRING~" is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.
• Kento Nakajima "IDOL1ST Kento Nakajima LIVE TOUR 2026" is scheduled to be held in Hiroshima, Miyagi, Shizuoka, Hokkaido, and Tokyo.
• KAT-TUN All songs will be available on subscription services in March 2026.
• timelesz Following the "timelesz project -AUDITION-" audition in 2025, the group expanded to an 8-member lineup and is now fully launching its activities under this new system.
• DOMOTO (Former KinKi Kids): In July 2025, the group name was changed to "DOMOTO" and the contract was changed to a group agency agreement.

Though the name Johnny's may change, the idols' passion for entertainment remains the same. We can't take our eyes off these Johnny's idols as they continue to carve new history under STARTO ENTERTAINMENT.

🔥Other interesting articles we recommend for you

Is UNISON SQUARE GARDEN going on hiatus? The current lineup is ending with Takao Suzuki's departure [Latest information 2026]

[2026] Is Tsukasa Arai retiring? A summary of the reasons and career trajectory behind her announcement to end her entertainment activities at age 31. 

Shohei Ohira to leave JO1 -- Approximately six months after the love triangle scandal, his activities will end at the end of May [2026]

[2026] Why is Yuuki Himura taking a break? What is Bananaman Himura's illness and when will he return?

[2026] Kato Kagura and Hikaru announce they are dating and living together! What are the current statuses of the female finalists from Produce 101 Japan? 

[2026] What is the "forbidden love affair of 10 years" between Satoshi Ohno and a former actress, as exposed by Bunshun? Is marriage possible after the final live performance?