[/floatl]Music company Avex has issued a statement (Japanese PDF) about the Korean idol trio Junsu/Jaejoong/Yoochun (also known, confusingly, as JYJ). The three were originally members of Toho Shinki but were "encouraged" by some shady figures to break away in a development which resembles the shenanigans surrounding the girl group Kara. Avex has the Japanese rights for JYJ but said last September it would suspend promotion for the group because the president of their new management company was under investigation in Korea for links to organized crime. In a new development, JYJ are apparently planning a June charity concert for Tohoku disaster relief at Saitama Super Arena. However, the venue has a notice on its home page (Japanese) saying that there has been no agreement on the use of the arena. Avex is also upset because they claim to have exclusive rights for any JYJ activity in Japan and have not changed their position from last year about refusing to allow any events while the legal proceedings remain unresolved. Their statement acknowledges that JYJ fans might think a charity event ought to be separated from the ongoing dispute but Avex says some of its managers have received threats, which makes them concerned about the true nature of the event. The company confirms it will maintain its hands-off stance and continues to assert its rights to JYJ in Japan.
(Spotted on Zarutaro)
