Japanese talent agency Smile-Up., formerly known as Johnny & Associates, says it has started paying compensation to people who its late founder, Johnny Kitagawa, sexually abused.

A committee the agency set up to discuss compensation proposed payment amounts in November to 35 people.

Smile-Up. said that by Thursday 30 victims had contacted it who agreed to the proposal, and the firm had completed paying the compensation to 23 of them.

The agency also said the remaining five people are examining the contents of the proposal, and that the committee had made offers to 23 more people by Friday.

The firm has not disclosed the contents of the offer. It says as of November 20 it had received reports from 834 people of sex abuse by Kitagawa, and that it will contact them.

The firm says it will deal with claims from victims who it has yet to confirm worked for it on an individual basis, by asking them to submit additional documents or attend hearings.

The firm's committee issued a statement about factors that it took into account in determining the amounts of compensation.

The committee said some victims were young boys, and some were abused numerous times. It also said they examined how compensating victims of abuse is handled in other countries.

Smile-Up. says it will regularly report on the progress of compensation and measures to prevent a recurrence.

Hashida Yasushi, a former entertainer who came forward to say Kitagawa abused him, says he told Smile-Up. he will accept its compensation offer.

Hashida said he has not yet received payment.

He said he has had a tough time since coming forward. He also said he feels as if a large mountain has finally moved, and he wants the agency to face each victim sincerely.

Hashida added that the compensation process has just begun, and he wants to keep sending messages that lead to real relief for victims and watch closely how that progresses.