STRUGGLE FOR THE JE THRONE: Iijima (Left) and Julie (Right, taken several years ago)
Johnny K. may drop dead any day now, which leaves the issue of who the next boss of Johnny’s Entertainment will be up in the air. Currently, the two people closest to the JE throne are Iijima Michi (SMAP’s chief manager) and Fujijima “Julie” Keiko (Johnny’s niece).
Iijima seemed to be the most obvious heir apparent for quite some time - she built up SMAP from pimply-faced teenagers with little market appeal to the ubiquitous national icons they are today. However, before Iijima could really bask in the glory of being king of the mountain, Kusanagi got drunk and had some public naked time in Akasaka, and SMAP’s sales started to decline.
Julie, on the other hand, is Mary’s (Johnny’s right hand man/vice president of JE/sister’s) daughter. Not only does she own a 10% stake in JE but she apparently dislikes SMAP. She has been steadily working in the shadows within JE and is now the de facto #3 within the organization, keeping JE all within the Kitagawa family.
Recently, a drunk Johnny asked an TV industry insider, “Are you team Iijima? Or are you team Julie? Most stations are distancing themselves from Iijima so I’d be better if you’re team Julie.”
source n’ source
I’m totally team Iijima…. I HATE Julie, and she doesnt only dislikes SMAP, noo, other groups/persons/pairings too ¬¬ Best decision would be Tackey lol :D Tackey for president, anyone?