Shogakukan Sets Up External Hotline for Manga ONE Investigation, Seeks Information on Similar Incidents

Shogakukan has established a dedicated external hotline as part of its ongoing investigation into the Manga ONE controversy. The company announced on the 17th that an independent third party committee has opened a reporting channel to gather information related to the issue.

The controversy stems from the appointment of the original author of the manga Joujin Kamen, serialized on the manga app Manga ONE, which was first disclosed on February 27.

Third Party Committee Expands Investigation Efforts

According to the official statement, the committee is currently investigating the facts surrounding the case in which the author of Daten Sakusen, who had been arrested and summarily indicted for violating the Act on Regulation and Punishment of Acts Relating to Child Prostitution and Child Pornography and received a fine, was later appointed under a different pen name as the original author of Joujin Kamen.

The investigation also includes examining whether there are similar incidents involving misconduct. This scope is not limited to the current case and includes, for example, situations where Shogakukan employees may have used their superior position in business relationships to demand sexual acts from business partners.

Hotline Opened for External Stakeholders

As part of this investigation, the third party committee has established a dedicated hotline accessible only to the committee and its investigative staff. The hotline is intended for external stakeholders, including business partners of Shogakukan and its affiliated companies, freelancers, as well as former executives and employees.
The company is requesting broad cooperation in providing information that may assist the investigation.

Shogakukan also asked that all inquiries and information related to this matter be directed through the hotline and requested that individuals refrain from contacting committee members directly or sending materials to them.

The hotline will be available from April 17 to May 1, 2026.

Shogakukan Official

Source : ORICON NEWS