Noriyuki Higashiyama

東山 紀之

Born|  (1966-09-30) September 30, 1966 (age 58)

Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan

Occupation| Businessman
Agent(s)| Smile-Up (2023–present)
Johnny & Associates (1979–2023)
Spouse|

Yoshino Kimura

(m. 2010)​

Children| 2
Musical career
Also known as| Higashiyama-san, Higashi
Genres| J-pop
Occupation(s)| Singer, actor
Years active| 1979–2023
Labels| Elov-label
Formerly of| Shonentai

Musical artist

Website| Shonentai (Elov-label)

Noriyuki Higashiyama (東山 紀之, Higashiyama Noriyuki, born September 30, 1966 in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan) is a Japanese businessman, former singer, actor, and member of the idol group Shonentai. He is married to actress Yoshino Kimura.[1]

In September 2023 Higashiyama became the president and CEO of Johnny & Associates (currently Smile-Up), until his retirement at the end of 2023, following the sexual abuse scandal involving late company founder Johnny Kitagawa.[2]

## History

[edit]

### Childhood (1966–1979)

[edit]

According to his book Kawasaki Kid, Higashiyama's paternal great-grandfather was Russian.[3] When he was still a baby, his grandfather drunkenly poured boiling water on his leg,[4] which left him with a deformity in his left foot. Because of this burn, he stated that his leg remained bandaged until he was about three years old.[5] Higashiyama was known to train very hard, doing 1,000 sit-ups daily, running 100 kilometres (62 mi) and maintaining a body fat percentage of 9%.[6] He worked out intensely because the deformity in his leg caused pain in his hip joint without muscle training.[5] Despite his leg deformities, he was athletic and could do a backflip at the age of nine.[7]

His parents divorced when he was three years old due to his father's drinking problem. Worried that Higashiyama would become a drunkard like his father and grandfather, his mother repeatedly advised him, "When you grow up, be careful that alcohol doesn't ruin your life." He credited this guidance with helping him avoid getting deeply intoxicated when he did drink.[4] His mother later remarried when he was in the fourth grade, but his stepfather gradually began to drink and became violent, not only towards his mother and Higashiyama but also towards his sister. He spent his days hungry due to poverty and frightened by his stepfather's violence.[8] He and his younger sister were raised by their mother, who worked at a barber shop. They lived in poverty and sometimes struggled to find food, but a Korean family who ran a barbecue restaurant in the neighborhood would share their meals with them, helping them stave off hunger.[note 1][10]

### Early career (1979–1985)

[edit]

In 1979, his mother, who worked at a barbershop for NHK employees in Shibuya, Tokyo, gave him tickets to watch a singing show. Higashiyama went with a friend to see the show at NHK.[11] On their way home, while waiting at a traffic light at Shibuya Crossing, he caught the eye of Johnny Kitagawa, who was driving by and scouted him directly. He was in the sixth grade at the time.[12][11]

Higashiyama, who had always suffered from hunger, stated that after he joined Johnny's, he was grateful that Johnny Kitagawa would take him out to eat after dance lessons. When he entered high school, he left home to escape his stepfather and began living in Johnny's dormitory.[8] Higashiyama mentioned that for a while after he joined Johnny's, he struggled to dance well because he found it strange for a man to sing and dance as an idol at that time.[13] However, he was "struck by lightning"[14] when he saw a Michael Jackson video in the dormitory, and he honed his dancing skills in admiration of him.[15] In the dormitory, he also practiced acrobatics with the other trainees who lived there.[16]

In 1981, the "B Team" was formed with Kazukiyo Nishikiori, Katsuhide Uekusa, and Yasuyuki Matsubara. The following year, in 1982, Matsubara was replaced by Higashiyama, and the group was renamed Shonentai. They primarily worked as backup dancers for Toshihiko Tahara and Masahiko Kondō.[17]

### Acting career (1985–2023)

[edit]

Shonentai made their record debut on December 12, 1985, with the single Kamen Butōkai.[18] At the time of their debut, all three members could perform backflips and back somersaults, and their advanced acrobatic skills, such as throwing and catching microphones, garnered significant attention.[19] Higashiyama portrayed a prince-like character who was calm and spoke little.[19]

After his debut, in addition to his group activities, he primarily worked as an actor in TV dramas, movies, and stage performances.

In 1988, Shonentai became popular among young women, leading to the coining of the term "soy sauce face" (soft facial features) to describe a Japanese-looking, fair-skinned, cool-looking man like Higashiyama.[20] The term "sauce face" (defined facial features) was coined to describe a tanned, chiseled face like Nishikiori's, becoming popular to characterize good-looking men. They were selected for the "Basic Knowledge of Modern Terms," published every December, and won the Popular Award in the Popular Words category of the 1988 U-CAN Inc.[21]

With his stoic image, he has leveraged his acting career to portray a wide range of roles, from prince-like characters and jidaigeki (historical dramas) to comedies.[22] After portraying Japanese historical figures such as Okita Sōji, Minamoto no Yoshitsune, and Hikaru Genji,[23] he became the first Johnny's actor to star in an NHK Taiga drama in 1993 with Ryukyu no Kaze.[24] He has starred in the popular TV Asahi jidaigeki drama Hissatsu series since 2007,[25] the NHK jidaigeki drama Ooka Echizen since 2013,[26] and the TV Asahi serial detective drama Seven Detectives since 2015.[23]

On September 20, 2020, it was announced that Nishikiori and Uekusa would leave Johnny & Associates within the same year. The name Shonentai would remain, and Higashiyama would continue his performing career.[27]

### 2023 appointment at Johnny & Associates and retirement

[edit]

On September 5, 2023, Higashiyama succeeded Julie Keiko Fujishima as president of Johnny & Associates, which was later renamed Smile-Up on October 17 of the same year. Fujishima resigned following the sexual assault scandal involving the company's founder, Johnny Kitagawa, and the investigation report highlighted the "negative effects of family management."[28] On the same day, Higashiyama held a press conference and announced that he would retire from show business by the end of 2023 to focus on his company’s business.[29]

Higashiyama and Julie are the same age[30] and have been close since they met at 14, "like childhood friends," he said.[31][32] Julie also did styling and management work for Shonentai, the boy band to which Higashiyama belongs, while she was still a college student.[33] Over the years, they developed a trusting relationship in which they could consult each other about anything.[31] Julie is the niece of Johnny Kitagawa and the daughter of Mary Yasuko Fujishima, Kitagawa's elder sister. Mary served as vice president of Johnny's for many years[34] and was reportedly in charge of management aspects, including the company's substantive operations.[35] It is said that Mary was particularly fond of Masahiko Kondō and Higashiyama; it was sometimes said that "Kondō is the first son" (the most powerful person among Johnny's talents) and "Higashiyama is the second son" (the second most powerful person).[36] After Kondo left Johnny's in 2021 due to his own adultery scandal, Higashiyama came to be regarded as "Johnny's first son" in both name and reality.

After the Johnny Kitagawa sexual abuse scandal came to light in 2023, Julie initially sought an outside president, but all requests were turned down.[37] Hideaki Takizawa, who had retired as a talent and became vice president after Kitagawa passed away in 2019,[38] was considered another strong successor.[39][40] However, he left the company in October 2022 and later founded his own entertainment agency, Tobe.[41] Takizawa was close to Kitagawa in his later years and was said to have been directly nominated as his successor.[42] Julie's mother, Mary, had already passed away in August 2021.[43]

Ultimately, in early August 2023, Julie asked Higashiyama to become president, relying on their long-standing and trusting relationship.[37] Higashiyama expressed that he was very worried when he received the request and thought about it overnight. However, he decided to accept it because he believed it was his destiny.[44] He also reportedly took over as president to fulfill his responsibilities as the "first son" of the company.[45]

With this announcement, his appearances on TV Asahi's information variety program Sunday Live![46] and the TBS Television documentary program Birth Day,[47] in which he had served as a host since the show's inception in 2005, also came to an end after the second episode in the same month.

On December 26, Higashiyama made his final appearance on stage before his retirement at his solo dinner show, Noriyuki Higashiyama Dinner Show 2023, held at the ANA InterContinental Tokyo.[48] This performance marked his last as an entertainer. The show, which had not taken place since 2002, was held in both Osaka and Tokyo for the 2023 edition. Surrounded by excited voices, applause, and audience singing, Higashiyama performed a total of 24 songs, including selections from his time as a member of Shonentai. Nostalgic images from various moments of his artistic life played in the background, culminating in an end roll that showcased his performances up to that point, ending with a heartfelt thank-you message.[49]

Higashiyama's last appearance on television was in the TV Asahi drama Hissatsu Shigotonin, which was broadcast on December 29, 2023. This popular jidaigeki had been ongoing since he took over the lead role in 2007.[50][51]

On December 31, 44 years after he entered show business in 1979, he retired from the public stage with a final message on his paid member blog, stating, "I would be grateful if someday people could understand that I chose this kind of life."[52]

## Personal life

[edit]

On October 23, 2010, he married actress Yoshino Kimura. They had been in a relationship for about two and a half years since performing together on stage in March 2008.[53] Their first child, a daughter, was born in 2011,[54] followed by their second child, also a daughter, in 2013.[55]

## Awards

[edit]

* 56th ACA National Arts Festival (2001) - Theater Division Excellence Award for Musical The Christmas Box[56]
* 2008 Japanese Movie Critics Awards \- Best Actor for Yamazakura[57]
* 30th Hashida Awards (2022) - Reason for Award: He has been active in a wide range of TV dramas and host roles, including Seven Detectives (TV Asahi) and Sunday Live! (TV Asahi) and other dramas and host for many years. He is also a hero in the hearts of Sugako Hashida's works (On Inochi, The Tale of Genji (TBS Television (Japan)), etc.).[58]

## Filmography

[edit]

### Film

[edit]

* Love Forever (1983)
* Aitsu to Lullaby (1983) – Hiroshi Machida
* Nineteen (1987) – East
* Maji! (1991) – Motoki Shirogane
* Tengoku no Taizai (1992) – Detective Aoki
* Makoto (2005) – Makoto Shirakawa
* Yamazakura (2008) – Yaichirō Tezuka
* Ogawa no Hotori (2011) – Sakunosuke Inui
* Genji Monogatari: Sennen no Nazo (2011) – Fujiwara no Michinaga
* Eight Ranger (2012) – Terrorist group leader
* Trick The Movie: Last Stage (2014) – Shinichi Kagami
* Eight Ranger 2 (2014) – Terrorist group leader
* Laughing Under the Clouds (2018) – Iwakura Tomomi
* Perfect Strangers (2021) - Sanpei Koyama

### Television

[edit]

* Youth rebel Part2 (1983) - as Keiichi Miyazawa
* Shinsengumi I: Okita Sōji: A Time of Love and Youth (1987) - starring Okita Sōji
* Shinsengumi II: Ikedaya incident (1987)
* A person working in the television industry in the Wilderness (1987)
* Meibugyo Tōyama no Kin-san Series (1988 - 1992, TV Asahi) - as Shingo Mizuki
* Meibugyo Tōyama no Kin-san 1st series (1988)
* Meibugyo Tōyama no Kin-san 2nd series (1989)
* Meibugyo Tōyama no Kin-san 3rd series (July 1990 - March 1991)
* Meibugyo Tōyama no Kin-san Special: Edo Castle Overthrown! The Red-Haired Woman Spied On (1992)
* Jikandesuyo (It's Time!) (1988) - as Azuma Yu
* Clash of the Men! Part 1 (1988)
* Clash of the Men! Part 2 (1988)
* Minamoto no Yoshitsune (1990) - starring Minamoto no Yoshitsune
* Jikandesuyo New Year's Special: Ume-no-Yu's Wedding is Full of Gags (1990) - as Akira Yamanouchi
* Jikandesuyo Murder Case: One Dead Body Floats in Ume no Yu (1990)
* Kunichan's Never-Ending TV "Christmas Gift: Christmas Eve Once More..." (1990)
* Wakasama Samurai Capture: The Secrets of the Inner Palace of Edo Castle (1991) - as Wakasama (Harunaga Tokugawa)
* Flower Labyrinth: The Woman from Shanghai (1991) - Playing the role of Akira Toudou
* Dreaming of a Journey (1991) - starring Minoru Aihara
* My Brother (1991) - starring Shigeo Mori
* Hana no Iro (1991) - as Kikuo Kato (Kabuki actor, Moriwaka Sanokawa)
* The Gypsy's Dream: The Legend of the Mysteries of Spain (1991) - starring Sho
* The Tale of Genji \- The First Volume (1991) - starring Hikaru Genji
* The Tale of Genji, Book Two (1992) - Yugiri
* NHK Taiga drama
* Taiga drama Ryukyu no Kaze (1993) - as starring Keitai
* Taiga drama Chūshingura (1999) - as Asano Naganori
* Taiga drama Burning Flower (2015) - as Katsura Kogoro
* Onna no Ie (1993) - as Tadayuki (young master)
* Masterpiece Mystery Selection I: Three Widows (1993) - Playing the role of Hitoshi Eto
* Wataru Seken wa Oni Bakari 2nd Series 25th Special (1993) - Playing the role of Tadanori Oki
* Surgeon Saeko Arimori Sayonara Special (1993) - Kazushi Machimura
* Daichūshingura (1994) - Asano Naganori
* Embraced by the Night (1994) - Ryusei Kamiya
* Seichō Matsumoto special project Yakko no staircase (1995) - starring Michio Sayama (Miyasaka)
* The Chef (1995) - starring Takumi Ajisawa
* Someone is in Love with Someone (1996) - as Takeo Yasuda
* Dear Woman (1996) - Playing the lead role of Tamon Ishimaru
* Dear Woman Special (1997)
* I'm glad I don't love you too much (1998) - starring Yotaro Nakajima
* Heisei married couple's tea bowl (2000) - starring Mitsutaro Kanamoto
* Heisei married couples' tea bowl special \- Mother became wind... (2000)
* Sequel to Heisei married couples' tea bowl (2002)
* Your Yuko is Crying (2001) - starring Hekishi Yuki / Benishi Yuki
* Hatsurai (2003) - Kajii Hannosuke
* Seichō Matsumoto's Testimony (2004) - starring Teiichiro Ishino as Ishino[80].
* New Detective Munesue Series (2005 - 2019, TV Asahi) - starring Koichiro Munai
* Detective Munesue's Investigation File \- Glass Lovers (2005, Seiichi Morimura 40th Anniversary Commemorative Project)
* Detective Munesue's Pure White Proof (2007)
* Detective Munesue's Cloud Sea of Youth (2008)
* Detective Munesue's Apocalypse (2009)
* Detective Munesue's Immoral Poetry (2011)
* Detective Munesue's Dead Sea Foreshadowing (2012)
* Detective Munesue's Night Rainbow (2014)
* Detective Munesue's Black Festival (2015)
* Detective Munesue's False Perfect Crime (2016)
* Detective Munesue's Deadly Fate (2017)
* Detective Munesue's Black Bonds (2019)
* Kuitan (gourmand detective) (2006) - starring Seiya Takano
* Kuitan Special \- I'm going to eat all of Hong Kong (2006)
* Kuitan 2 (2007)
* Byakkotai: The First and Second Nights (2007) - as Matsudaira Yoriyasu
* Hissatsu Shigotonin Series (2007) - starring Kogoro Watanabe
* Hissatsu Shigotonin 2007 (2007)
* Hissatsu Shigotonin 2009 New Year Special (2009)
* Hissatsu Shigotonin 2009 (2009)
* Hissatsu Shigotonin 2010 (2010)
* Hissatsu Shigotonin 2012 (2012)
* Hissatsu Shigotonin 2013 (2013)
* Hissatsu Shigotonin 2014 (2014)
* Hissatsu Shigotonin 2015 (2015)
* Hissatsu Shigotonin 2016 (2016)
* Hissatsu Shigotonin (2018)
* Hissatsu Shigotonin 2019 (2019)
* Hissatsu Shigotonin 2020 (2020)
* Hissatsu Shigotonin (2022)
* Hissatsu Shigotonin (2023)
* Hissatsu Shigotonin (2023)
* GM - Odorire Doctor (2010) - as Hideo Goto (Fire Goto)
* Ikkyu-san (2012) - as Ashikaga Yoshimitsu
* Ikkyu-san 2 (2013)
* Ōoka Echizen Series (2013 - 2023, NHK BS Premium) - starring Ōoka Tadasuke
* Ooka Echizen (2013)
* Ooka Echizen 2 (2014)
* Ooka Echizen 3 (2016)
* Ooka Echizen Special (2017)
* Ooka Echizen 4 (2018)
* Ooka Echizen Special - Famous Judges Connecting Parent and Child (2019)
* Ooka Echizen 5 (2020)
* Ooka Echizen Special - Hatsuharu ni scattered Kageboushi (2021)
* Ooka Echizen 6 (2022)
* Ooka Echizen Special - Great Turmoil! Shirazu of Fate (2023)
* The Seven Meetings (2013) - starring Manji Harashima
* The Partner \- To my beloved friends of 100 years (2013) - starring Sakitaro Asaba / Tetsuya Suzuki
* XXX Wife (2015) - Playing the role of Masazumi Kubota, news anchor
* Yokokuhan: The Pain (2015) - starring Eiji Sakuma
* Seven Detectives Series (2015 - , TV Asahi) - starring Yuu Amagi
* Seven Detectives 1st Series (2015)
* Seven Detectives 2nd Series (2016)
* Seven Detectives 3rd series (2017)
* Seven Detectives Fourth Series (2018)
* Seven Detectives 5th series (2019)
* Seven Detectives 6th series (2020)
* Seven Detectives 7th series (2021)
* Seven Detectives 8th series (2022)
* Seven Detectives 9th series (2023)
* Nobunaga Moyu (2016) - starring as Oda Nobunaga
* Futsubun ga ichiban - Writer Shuhei Fujisawa: A Word from My Father (2016) - starring Shuhei Fujisaw
* Seichō Matsumoto Hanamitsu no Nai Mori (2017) - starring Ryusuke Umeki
* Sand no Kiki (2019) - starring Eitaro Imanishi
* Special investigation department 9 season 6 final episode (2023) - as Yu Amagi

### Dubbing

[edit]

#### Live-action

[edit]

* We Bought a Zoo – Benjamin Mee (Matt Damon)[59]

#### Animation

[edit]

* Brother Bear – Kenai[60]

## Stage

[edit]

Title  | Year  | Role  | Ref.

|
|
|

Okita Sōji | 1988  | Starring Okita Sōji |
Nayotake | 1990  | Starring Ishinokamino Fumimaro  |
Barcelona Monogatari | 1991  | Starring Rafael Taranto  |
Gari | 1993  | Okada  |
Life | 1994  | Ohkura Shingo  |
Spring is in full bloom | 1995 / 2003  | Sentaro Onoue / Shoya Saeki  |
Singin' in the Rain | 1996  | Starring Don Lockwood  |
Fukagawa Shigure | 1997  | Kamio Saumanosuke  |
Both flowers and storms - The Marriage Hagiographer's Tale of Sato and Keisuke | 1999  | Keisuke Tsumura  |
Millennium Shock | 2000  | Kōichi's deceased brother / Ghost  |
Musical The Christmas Box | 2001  | Starring Richard Evans / David Parkin  | [61]
Romeo and Juliet | 2004  | Starring Romeo | [62]
Tsukiko's Moon and the Tango | 2005  | Shinichiro Kashu  | [63]
Farewell My Concubine | 2008  | Starring Cheng Dieyi  | [64]
Broadway Musical Curtains | 2010  | Starring Lieutenant Frank Choffee  | [65]
Madame de Sade / My Friend Hitler | 2011  | Starring Renée, the Marquis de Sade / Starring Ernst Röhm | [66]
The King's Speech | 2012  | Starring Bertie (George VI)  | [67]
No Words, No Time - Tears falling into the sky | 2013  | Starring The man  | [68]
Frankenstein | 2013  | Starring Dr. Frankenstein / The creature | [69]
Joan d'Arc | 2014  | Charles VII of France | [70]
Dorobou Yakusha | 2018  | Maezono  | [71]
Chocolate Donuts | 2020-2021 / 2023  | Starring Rudy  | [72][73]

## Book

[edit]

* Higashiyama-Style: Noriyuki Higashiyama Photo Collection (December 15, 1990, Fusosha Publishing) Photo/Katsuo Hanzawa
* Noriyuki Higashiyama (December 17, 1998, Magazine House, ISBN 9784838711024) - A photo essay based on the serial "Higashiyama Noriyuki's My favorite scene" in the magazine "Raku", with new photos and articles added.
* Noriyuki Higashiyama talking about Makoto (February 18, 2005, Pia) - Dialogue and Photobook (published by Pia, Feb. 18, 2005, ISBN 9784835615097)
* Show Lovery River (Written by Show Aikawa / Published by Pia on March 3, 2005, ISBN 9784835615073) - Appeared as one of the guests in a book written by Show Aikawa. Talk 3: Noriyuki Higashiyama and Show Aikawa, two men who keep on running.
* Kawasaki Kid (June 4, 2010, Asahi Shimbun Publications Inc, ISBN 9784022507563 / August 7, 2015, Asahi Sonorama, ISBN 9784022618351) - A reconstructed version of the serial "Hitherto and Hereafter" from the magazine "Asahi Weekly," with new additions such as a document of a visit to his hometown Kawasaki. Essays on his half life[74]

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Higashiyama says he dislikes ethnic discrimination because of his own Russian heritage and because of the help he received from Korean family in the neighborhood.[9]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Noriyuki Higashiyama, Yoshino Kimura, now married
2. ^ "Johnny's talent agency admits sexual abuse by founder, head resigns". Kyodo News. September 7, 2023. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
3. ^ "Noriyuki Higashiyama reiterates discrimination and violence in his collection of anti-hate books: "People have the ugliest faces when they discriminate against others" and "Human beings should never fight in vain". litera (in Japanese). August 14, 2015. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
4. ^ a b "Noriyuki Higashiyama: "Burns cause me to have to do 1,000 sit-ups a day."". jisin.jp (in Japanese). Kobunsha Co., Ltd. February 18, 2012. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
5. ^ a b "Noriyuki Higashiyama, the reason for his muscle training is a serious burn from his childhood". sirabee.com (in Japanese). January 7, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
6. ^ "This drink has zero calories, so even a higashi with a body fat percentage of 9% is fine". sponichi (in Japanese). May 26, 2009. Archived from the original on August 7, 2016. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
7. ^ ""The most shameful thing is to know and do nothing," actor Noriyuki Higashiyama said in his "last performance."". bunshun (in Japanese). November 26, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
8. ^ a b "Noriyuki Higashiyama: Violence by stepfather, swimming pool as a substitute for bath...Epic childhood hidden in the bitterness of his decision to retire". jisin (in Japanese). Kobunsha Co., Ltd. December 6, 2023. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
9. ^ "東山紀之が"反ヘイト本"を出版していた！自らのルーツと在日韓国人への思いを告白". lite-ra (in Japanese). Litera. November 29, 2014. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
10. ^ "What's so great about Noriyuki Higashiyama's autobiography of the boy band, Shonentai, that it reexamines its origins and opens up new horizons". toyokeizai (in Japanese). August 29, 2015. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
11. ^ a b "I was scouted by Johnny in a car". sanspo (in Japanese). July 11, 2017. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
12. ^ "Noriyuki Higashiyama, legendary story of his debut: "I was scouted directly by Mr. Johnny at a Shibuya intersection."". oricon (in Japanese). July 17, 2019. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
13. ^ "Noriyuki Higashiyama talks about meeting Michael, the man of his dreams, and how he was going to give the precious "treasure" to his children". sponichi (in Japanese). December 5, 2020. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
14. ^ "Noriyuki Higashiyama reveals the truth about Michael Jackson's allegations". mynavi (in Japanese). June 24, 2019. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
15. ^ "Noriyuki Higashiyama was shocked to see Michael-san after his concert: "A top-notch person is doing this much... we are more". sponichi (in Japanese). December 7, 2020. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
16. ^ "Katsuhide Uekusa talks about his debut and overcoming backflips!". joqr.co.jp (in Japanese). Nippon Cultural Broadcasting Inc. April 6, 2023. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
17. ^ "The "true reason" for the disparity in quality and the "super-expensive product" that will serve as a stepping stone to reunion". bunshun (in Japanese). January 20, 2021. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
18. ^ "Kazukiyo Nishikori talks about a famous song from the 80s: "It took six months to complete 'The Masked Ball' by Shonen Corps". gendai (in Japanese). March 3, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
19. ^ a b "Great acclaim from overseas! Soy Sauce Face of Noriyuki Higashiyama, the Shonen-tai Member Who Changed the Era". jisin (in Japanese). August 30, 2021. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
20. ^ "Noriyuki Higashiyama was a rare "jidaigeki star" in recent years". Realsound (in Japanese). December 29, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
21. ^ "第5回 1988年 授賞語". Basic Knowledge of Modern Terms (in Japanese). Jiyukokuminsha.Co.Ltd. 1988. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
22. ^ "Noriyuki Higashiyama's daily routine of sit-ups "is a daily struggle". oricon (in Japanese). December 28, 2013. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
23. ^ a b "Noriyuki Higashiyama was a rare " jidaigeki star" in recent years". realsound (in Japanese). December 29, 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
24. ^ "Taiga drama Ryukyu no Kaze". NHK (in Japanese). 1993. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
25. ^ "Why Noriyuki Higashiyama's "Soon to Retire" is in Danger". toyokeizai (in Japanese). December 15, 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
26. ^ "Ooka Echizen Special". NHK (in Japanese). 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
27. ^ "Nishikori and Uekusa of Shonentai leave Johnny's, leaving Higashiyama alone". nikkan (in Japanese). January 1, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
28. ^ "ジャニーズ事務所の藤島社長が辞任へ 後任は東山紀之氏". asahi.com (in Japanese). September 7, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
29. ^ "ジャニーズ事務所の藤島ジュリー景子社長が引責辞任、後任・東山紀之は年内をもって芸能界引退". natalie (in Japanese). September 7, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
30. ^ "Julie had a "one-sided love" for Noriyuki Higashiyama in the past... "Higashiyama, who listens to everything," cannot escape from the curse of the founding family". nikkan-gendai (in Japanese). September 16, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
31. ^ a b "The "Puppet Suspicion" that has not disappeared...He met Julie when he was 14 years old. Noriyuki Higashiyama, the new president, revealed his true relationship with "Empress" Julie". gendai (in Japanese). September 8, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
32. ^ Shunsuke Karasawa (September 8, 2023). "ジャニーズの"長男"東山紀之氏に改革はできるのか 「犯罪を犯した会社」という意識の欠如". Aera dot. (in Japanese). Asahi Shimbun Publications Inc. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
33. ^ "Julie Keiko Fujishima, 57, president of Johnny's, to step down: "I am in no condition to appear in public"". bunshun (in Japanese). August 29, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
34. ^ "Letter from Julie, who was absent from the conference, "Mary was said to be a lion."". asahi.com (in Japanese). The Asahi shimbun. October 2, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
35. ^ "The Unknown Face of Yasuko Fujishima Mary, who Nurtured Johnny's Talent". asahi.com (in Japanese). The Asahi Shimbun. October 16, 2021. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
36. ^ ""Second son" Noriyuki Higashiyama's remarks on "Sunday LIVE!" on the 2nd were noted... "First son" Masahiko Kondo left Johnny's". hochi (in Japanese). May 1, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
37. ^ a b "The past and future of Johnny's as seen at the press conference". ktv.jp (in Japanese). Kansai Television Co. Ltd. September 8, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
38. ^ "Hideaki Takizawa becomes vice president of Johnny's". natalie (in Japanese). September 27, 2019. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
39. ^ "The truth behind Tackey's departure and the departure of the three members of King＆Prince". bunshun (in Japanese). November 5, 2022. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
40. ^ Hiromi Yuzuki (July 21, 2019). "Hideaki Takizawa: "From now on, I hope they can leave the nest from me." I saw to it that "Music Day" was a great achievement of Kitagawa". exite (in Japanese). Retrieved July 9, 2024.
41. ^ "Japan's entertainment agency Johnny & Associates vice president Hideaki Takizawa resigns". The Japan Times. November 1, 2022. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
42. ^ "Hideaki Takizawa, former vice president and "heir to Johnny-ism," has left the company. ...... From now on, the Johnny's fears a "drastic decrease in the number of resumes sent to us."". gendai (in Japanese). December 30, 2022. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
43. ^ "Mary Fujishima, J-pop matriarch of Johnny & Associates, dies at 93". japantimes. August 17, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
44. ^ "Higashiyama assumes the position of president, "I decided to take it on because I thought it was my destiny"... "Someone has to take over" the relief efforts". yomiuri.co.jp (in Japanese). Yomiuri Shinbun. September 7, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
45. ^ "Noriyuki Higashiyama to be the new president of Johnny's, determined to fulfill his responsibility as the "first son" and will not resign from his talent". nikkan (in Japanese). September 7, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
46. ^ "東山紀之の『サンデーLIVE！！』降板をテレビ朝日・野上慎平アナウンサーが報告 緊張気味に頭下げ「このチームで頑張りましょう」". chunichi (in Japanese). September 10, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
47. ^ "ＴＢＳ系「バースデイ」、東山紀之降板には触れず". hochi (in Japanese). September 9, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
48. ^ "君にこの歌を、東山紀之が最後のディナーショーで見せた熱演と伝えた感謝「人生はまだまだ続きます」". natalie (in Japanese). December 27, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
49. ^ "年内引退の東山紀之、最後の表舞台でファンにお別れ「お元気で!さようなら!」". Oricon (in Japanese). December 27, 2023. Archived from the original on December 26, 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
50. ^ "Noriyuki Higashiyama finishes his last TV appearance in "Hisshikatsu Shigotonin." His last line is "No more, as you like." No mention of taking over". Hochi Sports (in Japanese). December 29, 2023. Archived from the original on December 30, 2023. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
51. ^ "What will happen to the "Hissatsu" series, Nao Matsushita joins but Noriyuki Higashiyama retires...thoughts of Makoto Fujita, who was about to invite him to his home". yomiuri.co.jp (in Japanese). December 29, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
52. ^ "Noriyuki Higashiyama speaks on the day of his retirement as a celebrity: "I will lead a different life from now on..." 44 years after joining the former Johnny's". sponichi (in Japanese). December 31, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
53. ^ "交際２年半 東山紀之 木村佳乃と結婚！". sponichi. October 24, 2010. Archived from the original on June 4, 2016.
54. ^ "東山紀之&木村佳乃夫妻に第1子女児誕生 「命の詩を聞かせてくれました」". oricon (in Japanese). November 5, 2011. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
55. ^ "東山紀之 木村佳乃との次女にデレデレ". daily (in Japanese). June 6, 2013. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
56. ^ "List of the 56th Art Festival Prizes 2001" (PDF). bunka.go.jp (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. 2001. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
57. ^ "18th". Japan movie critics award (in Japanese). 2008. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
58. ^ "30th Hashida Prize Winners and Award Ceremony". hashida.or.jp (in Japanese). Hashida Cultural Foundation. April 3, 2022. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
59. ^ "幸せへのキセキ". Star Channel. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
60. ^ "ブラザー・ベア". Wowow. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
61. ^ "2001年度 主な作品" [2001 Major Works]. Stage gate (in Japanese). December 2001. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
62. ^ "Noriyuki Higashiyama and Asaka Seto go for broke" (in Japanese). Sports Hochi. 2003. Archived from the original on September 20, 2003. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
63. ^ "森光子・東山紀之 出演『ツキコの月 そして、タンゴ』製作発表" [Production announcement of "Tsukiko's Moon And Tango" starring Mitsuko Mori and Noriyuki Higashiyama]. theater-forum (in Japanese). Theater forum. August 10, 2005. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
64. ^ "Directed by Ninagawa! Higashi in his first Oyama role" (in Japanese). Sports Hochi. October 17, 2007. Archived from the original on May 22, 2008. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
65. ^ "東山紀之 ミュージカル８年ぶり単独出演" [Noriyuki Higashiyama to appear in a solo musical for the first time in 8 years]. daily (in Japanese). July 4, 2009. Archived from the original on December 31, 2009. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
66. ^ "Higashiyama and Ikuta crossdress in a Ninagawa production" (in Japanese). Sports Hochi. October 5, 2010. Archived from the original on October 7, 2010. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
67. ^ "Noriyuki Higashiyama gives an enthusiastic performance, 'The King's Speech' opens". Ticket Pia (in Japanese). August 24, 2012. Archived from the original on August 28, 2012. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
68. ^ "「NO WORDS, NO TIME 〜空に落ちた涙〜」". moon-light (in Japanese). moon-light Inc. November 22, 2012. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
69. ^ "Noriyuki Higashiyama and V6's Masayuki Sakamoto collaborate in 'Frankenstein'". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). November 16, 2013. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
70. ^ "Noriyuki Higashiyama praises Kasumi Arimura in her stage debut". Mantan Web (in Japanese). October 6, 2014. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
71. ^ "Noriyuki Higashiyama and Kanjani Eight's Ryuhei Maruyama to star in 'Dorobou Yakusha'". Modelpress (in Japanese). January 23, 2018. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
72. ^ "No.93: What "solitude" did Akon Miyamoto see in Noriyuki Higashiyama in the stage version of his beloved movie "Chocolate Donuts"?". eiga.com (in Japanese). December 4, 2020. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
73. ^ "Noriyuki Higashiyama's "Chocolate Donuts" to be performed again; Keito Okamoto to join new cast". Fashion Press (in Japanese). June 26, 2023. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
74. ^ "Kawasaki Kid". Asahi Sonorama (in Japanese). August 7, 2015. Retrieved June 18, 2024.

* Japan portal
* Biography portal

* v
* t
* e

Johnny & Associates

Current|

| Artists|

| Groups|

* Tokio
* 20th Century
* KinKi Kids
* Arashi
* NEWS
* Tegomass
* Super Eight
* KAT-TUN
* Hey! Say! JUMP
* Hey! Say! 7
* Hey! Say! BEST
* Kis-My-Ft2
* Busaiku
* timelesz
* A.B.C-Z
* West.
* 4U [ja]
* King & Prince
* Mr. King
* Prince
* SixTones
* Snow Man
* Naniwa Danshi
* Travis Japan
* Ae! Group

|

Soloists|

* Yuma Nakayama
* Keito Okamoto
* Fumito Kawai
* Kento Nakajima

Actors|

* Noriyuki Higashiyama
* Kōji Uchiumi
* Atsuhiro Satō
* Takuya Kimura
* Hiroki Uchi
* Jun Hasegawa
* Shota Hayashi
* Ryuta Muro
* Shō Takada
* Takuto Teranishi
* Yoshitaka Hara
* Daichi Imae
* Kota Matsumoto
* Kento Tomioka
* Yūki Nozawa

Trainees|

* Johnny's Jr.
* HiHi Jets
* Bishonen
* 7 MEN Samurai
* Shonen Ninja

Temporary|

* J-Friends
* Marching J
* Ya-ya-yah
* Toraji Haiji
* Shūji to Akira
* Kitty GYM
* NYC
* Yuma Nakayama w/B.I.Shadow
* Lands
* Twenty Twenty

Former|

* Johnnys
* Four Leaves
* Shibugakitai
* The Good-Bye
* Shonentai
* Otokogumi
* Hikaru Genji
* SMAP
* Ninja
* Tackey & Tsubasa
* V6
* Hiromi Go
* Mayo Kawasaki
* Takahiro Moriuchi
* Hironori Kusano
* Koki Tanaka
* Jin Akanishi
* Ryutaro Morimoto
* Junnosuke Taguchi
* Tatsuya Yamaguchi
* Mizuki Sano
* Subaru Shibutani
* Ryo Nishikido
* Masahiro Nakai
* Yuya Tegoshi
* Tomohisa Yamashita
* Genki Iwahashi
* Tomoya Nagase
* Masahiko Kondo
* Hideaki Takizawa
* Go Morita
* Ken Miyake
* Sho Hirano
* Yuta Jinguji
* Hiromitsu Kitayama
* Yuta Kishi
* Toma Ikuta
* Kenichi Okamoto
* Junichi Okada
* Shunsuke Kazama
* Tomoyuki Yara
* Bunichi Hamanaka

Related|

* Johnny Kitagawa
* Johnny Kitagawa sexual abuse scandal
* Predator: The Secret Scandal of J-Pop

Official website

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF

National|

* Japan

Academics|

* CiNii

Artists|

* MusicBrainz

*[m.]: married
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template