21: The death of Johnny Kitagawa, J-pop's puppet master

On this week’s episode we discuss the life and recent death of Johnny Kitagawa, the secretive mega mogul behind some of Japan's biggest music acts, including SMAP, Arashi and Hey! Say! Jump. Despite his success, Kitagawa's career was not without controversy, and allegations of sexual abuse of underage employees have followed him for the past 30 years.

Joining Oscar Boyd to discuss are Japan Times entertainment columnist Patrick St. Michel and W. David Marx, author of "Ametora: How Japan Saved American Style."

Background reading:

• Johnny Kitagawa: The mogul who defined and controlled Japan's entertainment industry (The Japan Times)
• Johnny Kitagawa, founder of agency that launched numerous boy bands, dead at 87 (The Japan Times)
• In Japan, Tarnishing a Star Maker (The New York Times)