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Johnny's Lifts Some Restrictions on Posting Photos of Members Online
posted on by Jennifer Sherman
Talent agency Johnny & Associates announced at a press event at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan in Tokyo on Wednesday that it has lifted some restrictions on the use of images of associated talent online. News websites can now use images of members from press conferences, interviews, and stage greetings online.
The Hitsuji no Ki (The Sheep's Tree) film's star and KANJANI Eight member Ryo Nishikido appeared at the event and began with a greeting in English. News websites reporting on the press event have posted images of Nishikido, marking the first time that Johnny & Associates' restrictions have been lifted. News websites were previously prohibited from using such images in related articles. Johnny & Associates has been gradually adjusting its rules for use of members' images online in recent years due to changes in information transmission related to online media.
The event promoted the live-action film adaptation of Tatsuhiko Yamagami and Mikio Igarashi's Hitsuji no Ki manga, which will open in Japan on February 3. In the film, Nishikido stars as Hajime Tsukisue, a kind-hearted public servant who is one of the few who know about the government project central to the story.
A poster (seen above right) for the live-action film of Hiromu Arakawa's Fullmetal Alchemist manga was updated in November to remove Hey! Say! JUMP member Ryōsuke Yamada from the image. In the film, Yamada plays the title role of Edward Elric.
Sources: Daily, Nikkan Sports (link 2) via Hachima Kikō
