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Straits Times
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Former Johnny's group Tokio to disband after scandal revelation
Tokio, an all-male group, debuted under Johnny & Associates in 1994. The most recent line-up comprises (from left) Taichi Kokubun, Shigeru Joshima and Masahiro Matsuoka. PHOTO: TOKIO/X Former Johnny's group Tokio to disband after scandal revelation TOKYO – Japanese pop group Tokio, formerly part of the now-defunct boy band empire Johnny & Associates, said on June 25 that they have decided to disband following member Taichi Kokubun's hiatus over a misconduct scandal, according to a statement on their official website. 'We decided it would be difficult to regain trust and continue receiving support as a group,' Tokio posted. Kokubun, 50, was axed from The Tetsuwan Dash – a variety programme aired by Nippon Television Network and fronted by the members of Tokio – on June 20. Following the announcement, Kokubun said he was indefinitely suspending his activities in a statement from his office, also named Tokio. Neither Kokubun nor his office has elaborated on what the breaches entailed, but a source close to the matter said they involved behaviour that could be considered sexual harassment. Tokio debuted under Johnny & Associates in 1994 with five members. They are leader and main guitarist Shigeru Joshima, 54; bassist Tatsuya Yamaguchi, 53; keyboardist Kokubun; drummer Masahiro Matsuoka, 48; and vocalist and guitarist Tomoya Nagase, 46. The all-male group are widely known in Japan for their support for Fukushima following the 2011 accident at the prefecture's nuclear power plant. Tokio helped promote local agricultural products through commercials, as their variety programme had featured them engaging in farming in Fukushima. Yamaguchi's contract with Johnny & Associates was terminated in 2018 after he forcibly kissed a high school girl at his home, while Nagase left Tokio in 2021 to pursue his own endeavours. Following Nagase's departure, the remaining three members of the group established a new company under the name 'Tokio', which operated in affiliation with Johnny & Associates. Johnny & Associates changed its name to Smile-Up in 2023 after hundreds of sexual abuse allegations surfaced against the agency's founder Johnny Kitagawa, who died in 2019 at age 87. Tokio's dissolution came after a recent sexual scandal involving Masahiro Nakai, 52, the former leader of Japanese male idol group Smap. A third-party panel probing Fuji Television Network and its handling of the scandal involving Nakai concluded in March that the former TV host sexually assaulted a female employee, amid a culture of harassment at the major Japanese network. KYODO NEWS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Tokyo Weekender
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Tokyo Weekender
Tokio Announce Breakup Following Taichi Kokubun Scandal
Japanese pop group Tokio announced that it is breaking up on Wednesday following a compliance violation by its keyboardist Taichi Kokubun. Sankei Sports broke the story about the violation last Thursday. Details about what he did have yet to be revealed. However, a source close to the matter said it involved behavior that could be considered sexual harassment. List of Contents: The Statement About Tokio Related Posts The Statement 'Taichi Kokubun's recent compliance violations have caused a great deal of distress and concern to everyone involved, and we take this very seriously,' read Wednesday's statement . 'We would like to once again offer our sincerest apologies . We are truly sorry. 'Having come to a mutual conclusion about our intentions, we agree that , given the current situation, it would be difficult to continue working as the group Tokio in a way that could regain all of your trust and support. Therefore, we have decided to bring all of our activities as a group to an end.' The statement went on to apologize to fans who have been with the group for the past 31 years, as well as the people of Fukushima, where Tokio has actively participated in reconstruction and revitalization efforts since the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. About Tokio Formed by Johnny & Associates, Tokio debuted in 1994 with five members. That number was reduced to four in 2018 with the termination of Tatsuya Yamaguchi 's contract. He was referred to prosecutors for allegedly kissing a girl against her will at his home. Two years later, four became three as Tomoya Nagase announced that he was leaving the band to pursue his own endeavors. Last Friday, Kokubun's management announced that he was being suspended by the group. Earlier in the day, Nippon Television Network (NTV) said it was removing Kokubun ,50, from its weekly program, The Tetsuwan Dash . Speaking at a post-Cabinet meeting press conference on Tuesday, Communications Minister Seiichiro Murakami said , 'We would like to hear extensively from Nippon TV about how it sees the issue and how it will respond as a company in the future.' Related Posts Taichi Kokubun of Tokio To Be Suspended for Compliance Violation Japanese Director Sion Sono Accused of Sexual Assault BBC Documentary Exposes Abusive Past of Johnny Kitagawa
The Mainichi
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Mainichi
Ex-Johnny's group Tokio to disband after scandal revelation
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese pop group Tokio, formerly part of Johnny & Associates Inc., said Wednesday it has decided to disband following member Taichi Kokubun's hiatus over a misconduct scandal, according to a statement on its official website. The all-male group is widely known in Japan for its support for Fukushima Prefecture following the 2011 nuclear crisis. It debuted under the talent agency but later left after hundreds of sexual abuse allegations surfaced against the agency's late founder Johnny Kitagawa. "We decided it would be difficult to regain trust and continue receiving support as a group," the group posted on its official website. Last week, Kokubun, 50, said he was indefinitely suspending his activities in a press release from his office, also named Tokio. Neither Kokubun nor his office has elaborated on what the breaches entailed, but a source close to the matter said they involved behavior that could be considered sexual harassment. After the 2011 accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant, the then five-member group helped promote local agricultural products through commercials, as their variety program had featured them engaging in farming in the prefecture. Kokubun's hiatus comes amid a recent sexual scandal involving former TV host Masahiro Nakai, who also belonged to Johnny & Associates. Another former Tokio member, Tatsuya Yamaguchi, left the group in 2018 after he forcibly kissed a high school girl at his home.
Japan Today
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Today
Ex-Johnny's group Tokio to disband after scandal revelation
Japanese pop group Tokio, formerly part of Johnny & Associates Inc., said Wednesday it has decided to disband following member Taichi Kokubun's hiatus over a misconduct scandal, according to a statement on its official website. The all-male group is widely known in Japan for its support for Fukushima Prefecture following the 2011 nuclear crisis. It debuted under the talent agency but later left after hundreds of sexual abuse allegations surfaced against the agency's late founder Johnny Kitagawa. "We decided it would be difficult to regain trust and continue receiving support as a group," the group posted on its official website. Last week, Kokubun, 50, said he was indefinitely suspending his activities in a press release from his office, also named Tokio. Neither Kokubun nor his office has elaborated on what the breaches entailed, but a source close to the matter said they involved behavior that could be considered sexual harassment. After the 2011 accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant, the then five-member group helped promote local agricultural products through commercials, as their variety program had featured them engaging in farming in the prefecture. Kokubun's hiatus comes amid a recent sexual scandal involving former TV host Masahiro Nakai, who also belonged to Johnny & Associates. Another former Tokio member, Tatsuya Yamaguchi, left the group in 2018 after he forcibly kissed a high school girl at his home. © KYODO
Nikkei Asia
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Nikkei Asia
Ex-Johnny's group Tokio to disband after scandal revelation
File photo shows members of the Japanese pop group Tokio in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. (Tokio) © Kyodo TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese pop group Tokio, formerly part of Johnny & Associates Inc., said Wednesday it has decided to disband following member Taichi Kokubun's hiatus over a misconduct scandal, according to a statement on its official website. The all-male group is widely known in Japan for its support for Fukushima Prefecture following the 2011 nuclear crisis. It debuted under the talent agency but later left after hundreds of sexual abuse allegations surfaced against the agency's late founder Johnny Kitagawa.
