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July 24, 2026
 

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SMAP

Masahiro Nakai in Tokyo in October 2017
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jan 8, 2025
TV networks drop Japan boy band star over sex allegations
Reports say that Masahiro Nakai, a former member of SMAP, paid a woman a lump sum of ?90 million.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Aug 23, 2023
Kishida faces leadership test over Johnny¡¯s sexual abuse scandal
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who prides himself on his ¡°ability to listen,¡± faces a test of his leadership amid the Johnny¡¯s sexual abuse scandal.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
May 18, 2023
How Japanese media companies enabled Johnny¡¯s abuse
The power dynamics of Japan¡¯s entertainment and media industries ultimately meant that accusations of sexual abuse were not investigated.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Media / MEDIA MIX
Jan 23, 2021
Former SMAP stars test broadcast television¡¯s relevance
Rival talent agencies move into the void left by Japan¡¯s former J-pop kings.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Sep 4, 2019
¡®Stormy Family¡¯: Dysfunctional family, dysfunctional film
Masahide Ichii delivers a drama about family members dealing with their own long-standing resentments while facing an impending typhoon
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Media / MEDIA MIX
Aug 3, 2019
News outlets in Japan less afraid to tackle entertainment issues
Ever since Johnny Kitagawa died on July 9, the media has been filled with sentimental tributes to the pop idol impresario, mostly by the young men whose careers he cultivated, but also by those with a stake in Japan¡¯s hermetic show biz world.
CULTURE / Entertainment news / Heisei Icons,Heisei Icons
Apr 7, 2019
SMAP: The pop idol media monopoly that dominated the Heisei Era
Many can¡¯t let go of the most successful male idol group the Heisei Era and continue to share favorite songs and clips of the outfit on sites such as Twitter.
Japan Times
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Media / MEDIA MIX
Mar 23, 2019
Idols and agencies in Japan navigate a brand new landscape
Television personality Masahiro Nakai made an appearance as a ¡°surprise guest¡± on the March 10 installment of Nippon TV¡¯s law-related variety show, ¡°Gyoretsu no Dekiru Horitsu Sodanjo¡± (¡°Line-up Law Office¡±). Earlier, guest Koji Kato had related an anecdote featuring Shingo Katori, Nakai¡¯s former...
CULTURE / Music / Sound Off
Feb 7, 2019
Where will fans go after Arashi?
Fans of Arashi still haven¡¯t come to terms with the news that the J-pop group will go on a hiatus at the end of 2020, bringing a close, at least temporarily, to one of the 21st century¡¯s most popular Japanese acts.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Dec 4, 2018
On the road to new experiences, post-SMAP, with Tsuyoshi Kusanagi
It has been almost two years since pop group SMAP split up, but its demise after over two decades at the forefront of entertainment in Japan is still fresh in everyone¡¯s memory.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
May 2, 2018
Is the feudal era over for Japan¡¯s talent agencies?
Japanese show business definitely has a feudal side. Talent agencies control their tarento (talent) much in the way the daimy¨­ (feudal lords) controlled the samurai in their clans, supporting their livelihoods in return for absolute fealty. And just as samurai were expected to stay with one clan their...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Entertainment news
Feb 27, 2018
SMAP star¡¯s Instagram foray reflects weakening grip of Japan TV ads
Shingo Katori commanded the adoration of millions of fans across Asia as a member of SMAP, one of Japan¡¯s most successful boy bands. After decades as a ubiquitous TV presence, he finally decided in November it was time to get an Instagram account.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Dec 13, 2017
Music acts found new ways to get noticed in 2017, but nothing beats an established brand
The path to J-pop stardom used to be pretty simple: Align yourself with the right talent agency and label ¡ª they¡¯ll do all the work.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / Sound Off
Nov 9, 2017
Former SMAP stars find freedom online
When a wrecking ball fell on and destroyed a car, I was hooked on a 72-hour live stream starring three former members of pop group SMAP.
CULTURE / Entertainment news
Sep 22, 2017
Ex-SMAP trio launch fan site hinting at October debut under new management
Three ex-members of the disbanded all-male pop group SMAP have launched an official fan site with a video alluding to freedom from the group¡¯s past troubles and a fresh start under new management.
LIFE / Language / NEWS IN NIHONGO
Jun 26, 2017
Three former SMAP singers to leave talent agency in September
Johnny & Associates announced June 18 that three former members of the pop idol group SMAP, which broke up at the end of last year, will leave the talent agency on Sept. 8, when their contract terms expire.
CULTURE / Entertainment news
Jun 19, 2017
Three former SMAP singers to leave talent agency in September
Goro Inagaki, Tsuyoshi Kusanagi and Shingo Katori, three former members of the ultrapopular boy band SMAP, will leave their management company, Johnny & Associates, in September, the agency said.
CULTURE
Dec 30, 2016
The top entertainment stories of 2016
The Japan Times newsroom selected these culture stories as the most important of 2016.
CULTURE / Music
Dec 25, 2016
Love ¡®em or hate ¡®em, the end of SMAP marks the end of an era
The Olympics have always been popular in Japan, and this year¡¯s games in Rio de Janeiro were no exception. While NHK was broadcasting the games in the early hours of Aug. 14, a breaking news message flashed across the screen: ¡°SMAP to disband Dec. 31.¡±
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Dec 18, 2016
Japan¡¯s pop music scene saw a power struggle in 2016
Media, both domestic and overseas, spent a lot of time focused on the streaming services arriving in Japan in 2016. Months of ¡°Can these platforms thrive in CD-loving Japan?¡± speculation reached a climax in September, when global market leader Spotify finally debuted here. There was a big press conference,...
Japan scientists identify clusters of protein believed to trigger Alzheimer¡¯s disease
A team of researchers said they found a ¡°seed¡± that accelerates the amyloid beta accumulation process in the brain, naming it ¡°Peak 1 amyloid beta,¡± as seen in a mouse's brain.
Indian brothers make manga debut in Japan
Two Indian brothers made their manga debut in Japan with "Kung Fu Kung Fool" ¡ª an action-comedy series that follows the adventures of a notorious thief and a young boy.
Japan weighs regulating Pokemon cards amid trading mania
A Pokemon event is held in Jakarta on July 11
Low-income families in Japan cut food and air conditioning during summer break
Yumiko Watanabe, the chairperson of nonprofit Kidsdoor, explains the results of a survey in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on July 1.
Iran strikes on CIA facilities prompt questions about possible Russian role
Iranian drones are displayed in an undisclosed location in Iran, in this handout image obtained on Jan. 13, 2025.U.S. officials have acknowledged that Russia has ?provided targeting ?and other support for Iran in its drone strikes on U.S. targets in the Persian Gulf region.
The sci-fi sensibilities of electronic trio Black Boboi
Black Boboi was formed in 2018 when solo artists Julia Shortreed, Utena Kobayashi and Ermhoi came together under Kobayashi¡¯s newly founded label, Bindividual.
A perfect storm: Kaze Fujii fans flock to Fuji Rock
Okayama-born singer-songwriter Kaze Fujii has carved out a distinctive place in Japanese pop since his major-label debut in 2019.
Can Japanese comedy get laughs in English? Yoshimoto Kogyo lets the jokes rip
Wes-P has millions of followers and his viral clips made him recognizable out of Japan.
The 180-day locals: Life on Japan¡¯s digital nomad visa
Christopher Flinn works remotely from Tokyo earlier this month. Japan issued 646 digital nomad visas in 2025, but tourism officials are hoping to increase that figure in the coming years, with Japan's relatively cheap cost of living and the weak yen seen as potential draws for young professionals.
Japan reveals hint of new defense spending target in fiscal blueprint
The Self-Defense Forces' Type 16 mobile combat vehicle fires during a joint live-fire drill with U.S. Marines as part of the annual Resolute Dragon exercises in Yufu, Oita Prefecture, on June 28.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo¡¯s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo¡¯s ¡®stadium of desire¡¯

Longform

For many people, utility poles and power lines have become such a familiar part of Japan¡¯s landscape that they often go unnoticed.
Why Japan¡¯s utility poles won¡¯t be disappearing anytime soon
By Alex K.T. Martin

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