Three former members of the major Japanese talent agency, Johnny & Associates, have submitted a petition to political parties calling for revisions to the law on preventing child abuse.

The three say they were sexually abused by the agency's founder, Johnny Kitagawa, when they were teens. Kitagawa died in 2019.

They delivered to six ruling and opposition parties on Monday about 39,000 signatures that they have collected in an online petition drive since May 26.

They are calling for revisions of the law to cover child abuse cases to include sexual misconduct targeting children by adults with economic and social clout in addition to those by their parents or guardians.

They are also calling for making it mandatory for people around children to report suspected child abuse cases to police.

One of the petitioners, musician Kauan Okamoto, said he is pleased that the issue has resonated with so many people. He said he cannot undo what has happened but he hopes lawmakers will work on legislation that would protect children in the future.

Another petitioner, dancer and actor Hashida Yasushi, said he hopes the Johnny & Associates will address the claims and face issues that have been shrouded in fog and make a fresh start in the right direction.