Noriyuki Higashiyama has stepped down as president and representative director of SMILE-UP., the company focused on compensating victims of sexual abuse by the late Johnny Kitagawa.

Higashiyama's departure was announced at a shareholders' meeting on September 28. He and senior managing director Akira Abe are leaving their positions following the expiration of their terms.

SMILE-UP. explained that its compensation work is increasingly expected to involve legal procedures and specialized decisions, leading the board to agree that changes to the company's management structure were appropriate.

The company emphasized that the change does not mark the end of its response to the sexual abuse issue. It said it will continue handling victim compensation, including ongoing disputed cases, and will maintain its consultation services for compensation claims and mental health support.

Julie Keiko Fujishima will remain a representative director of SMILE-UP.