Japanese company Smile-Up., formerly talent agency Johnny & Associates, says it has paid compensation to 115 people who claim they were sexually abused by the firm's late founder, Johnny Kitagawa.

The Smile-Up. website carried the announcement on Thursday.

In November, a dedicated committee set up by the firm started notifying the claimants about the amounts they would receive.

Smile-Up. says 907 people have reported that they were sexually abused by Kitagawa. The firm has notified 163 of them about compensation, and 126 have accepted.

Smile-Up. has not publicly disclosed details including the amounts being paid out.
Company officials say they will continue to sincerely compensate the victims.