Michi Iijima (飯島三智), the manager widely credited with developing SMAP into one of Japan’s most influential idol groups, has been appointed J-POP Executive Producer at HYBE Japan, the Japanese division of the company behind BTS. The appointment was announced on July 7.
Announcing the move, Iijima said she wants “to further expand the possibilities that Japanese entertainment holds,” according to a statement carried by Oricon and TBS News Dig. The appointment brings one of the most respected names in Japanese talent management into HYBE’s Japanese operations as the company builds out its presence in the J-POP market.
Iijima will continue her existing work at CULEN, the talent agency she leads that represents Goro Inagaki, Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, and Shingo Katori (稲垣吾郎, 草なぎ剛, 香取慎吾), three former members of SMAP. Her new position at HYBE Japan will run alongside her responsibilities at CULEN rather than replace them.
Who is Michi Iijima?
Michi Iijima spent decades as a talent manager at Johnny & Associates, where she served as chief manager for SMAP and is often described in Japanese media as the group’s “育ての親,” or the person who raised it. SMAP, formed in 1988, became one of the best-selling and most culturally significant idol groups in Japanese history before disbanding in 2016. After the group’s breakup, Iijima continued managing former members Inagaki, Kusanagi, and Katori through the agency CULEN. Her new role at HYBE Japan marks her first major position with an overseas-affiliated entertainment company.
