SMAP will break up after more than 25 years

I cannot believe this but the Nikkan Sports newspaper announced that the popular Japanese idol group SMAP will break up. Where are they going? They are definitely the most successful idol group in Japan. I literally grew up with them. They have been around for more than 25 years..

SMAP consists of five male members and four our of five (Masahiro Nakai, Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, Goro Inagaki and Shingo Katori) will be leaving the Johnny&Associates, the talent agency SMAP has belonged to.

The most popular Japanese heartthrob Takuya Kimura will remain with the Johnny’s. The group still has contractual agreements for their commercial appearances and their popular TV show SMAP X SMAP is still ongoing.

It is sad because SMAP is the most enduring pop group and most idol groups don’t last for 25 years! I am not so sure about their actual singing and dancing skills but they are very charismatic as a group and no other idol group can beat SMAP.

So why are they breaking up? SMAP’s woman manager is being pushed out due to personal issues with the Johnny’s executive, and she has helped guide the SMAP to what it is today. Although we don’t know the details of their breakup and the timeline, we are very sad to hear that they are going on separate ways.