Standard News

Hide Advertisement
  • Business
  • Culture
  • News
  • Technology
  • Trending
Site logo
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Japanese boy band SMAP disappoints fans by announcing break-up

By Reuters 1 min read
Members of Japanese pop music group SMAP Goro Inagaki, Takuya Kimura, Shingo Katori, Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, Masahiro Nakai perform during their concert in Beijing

TOKYO (Reuters) – Japanese boy band SMAP will break up at the end of the year, its promoter said on Sunday, disappointing legions of fans in Japan and Asia just seven months after its members pledged to stay together.

The five-man group, which formed in 1988 when its members were in their teens, will split on December 31, Johnny & Associates said in a statement, adding that all members would continue solo careers.

Advertisement

“We apologize for the trouble we have caused. Please forgive us for having led to a result like this. We are so sorry,” group leader Masahiro Nakai said, the Kyodo news agency reported.

The break-up attracted wide media coverage on Sunday, and distraught fans took to Twitter to express their sadness at the group’s demise.

SMAP, whose name stands for “Sports Music Assemble People” had averted a break-up in January, leading to a collective sigh of relief, even from Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

In its heyday the group packed venues around Asia and sang for Chinese leaders. Its 2003 single “The Only Flower in the World” sold over two million copies.

(Reporting by Thomas Wilson; Editing by Richard Pullin)

tagreuters.com2016binary_LYNXNPEC7D06S-VIEWIMAGE

Advertisement - Continue reading below

The First Presidential Debate in America Featured Two Women
Entertainment
Michelle Ranken 3 min read

The First Presidential Debate in America Featured Two Women

‘Orange is the New Black’ season 4 deals with racism, privatization
Entertainment
Reuters 2 min read

‘Orange is the New Black’ season 4 deals with racism, privatization

SpaceX rocket launches satellite, then lands on ship at sea
News
Reuters 2 min read

SpaceX rocket launches satellite, then lands on ship at sea

Anger as ex-Stanford swimmer freed after three months for sex assault
News
Reuters 3 min read

Anger as ex-Stanford swimmer freed after three months for sex assault

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence meets with Alaska Gasline Development Corporation
Business
Jason Owen 2 min read

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence meets with Alaska Gasline Development Corporation

Why Visiting This Tropical U
Travel
Greg Fischer 11 min read

Why Visiting This Tropical U

North Carolina Town Is So Spooky That It Could Be The Perfect Place To Visit For Halloween
Trending
David Clarke 2 min read

North Carolina Town Is So Spooky That It Could Be The Perfect Place To Visit For Halloween

Florida travel warning issued for pregnant women after more Zika cases
News
Reuters 4 min read

Florida travel warning issued for pregnant women after more Zika cases

Lawyer accused of fraud by U.S. in BP oil spill case is acquitted
News
Reuters 2 min read

Lawyer accused of fraud by U.S. in BP oil spill case is acquitted

Judge in Redstone hearing urges attorneys to reach agreements
News
Reuters 2 min read

Judge in Redstone hearing urges attorneys to reach agreements

load more Loading posts...

sidebar

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

sidebar-alt

  • About Us
  • Imprint
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
© 2025 ST.STANDARDNEWS.COM All rights reserved.