SMAP to disband on 31st Dec 2016

[KarenPang]

Sadly this's now true & not a rumour anymore

Faxed statement sent from Johnny & Associates to the Japanese press



http://www.nikkansports.com/entertai...s/1694476.html
http://www.johnnys-net.jp/page?id=text&dataId=1110

SMAP's fanclub SMAP Family Club has stopped accepting new members



http://www.johnnys-net.jp/page?id=text&dataId=1111

Goodbye to 1 of the most well known Johnnys groups ._.

[Bigtop]

Thank you for always supporting SMAP. We have put everyone into worry regarding the deliberation among the members about their future. With this decision made by the members, and on behalf of everyone who has been involved, we would like to apologize that we have made this announcement through a faxed letter.

SMAP, which has been in the industry for 25 years, will be disbanding on December 31, 2016. In January of this year, there were deliberations regarding SMAP’s future. Over a period of 6 months from February to August 10, we have still continued their activities by appearing on music shows and other various activities as usual. We have also planned to commemorate their 25th anniversary of their debut as well as the 20th anniversary of their show by doing promotional events and even concerts. In spite of these efforts, there were still several people who have doubted saying that continuing their activities is very difficult to do with the current situation of the five members. The debate continued among the officials. In July, we have declined a music program guesting. The month after that, for the sake of the people who cannot wait, we had to take our time to think calmly. There were suggestions that the group should take a short break until these circumstances have been resolved. From the members themselves, however, they said that “We’ll rather disband than take a break”. It’s very difficult for the members to come to this resolve after all the achievements they have had for the past few years. Although it is very difficult, we are now reporting it officially.

It wasn’t possible to meet the expectations of the company stakeholders without the fans’ support which were shown in this year’s commemorative events. We would like to thank you and at the same time, apologize. We are sorry.

With that being said, SMAP will disband, but the affiliation of the members remain in the company. We will focus on their individual activities. We are hoping for you to support them as warmly as before and we are looking forward to your encouragement in the future. We humbly express our gratitude to everyone.

Johnny’s & Associates Inc.

http://aramajapan.com/news/disbandme...nfirmed/62376/

Well, that is very disappointing to hear. The end of an era.

[EndOfTheWorld]

Wow. I had no idea they were breaking up.
It will be weird not having them around anymore.

[pimenta]

so now it's true
it's sad to see such an old group coming to an end..

[KarenPang]

Johnny & Associates officially announce SMAP's disbandment

On August 13, Johnny & Associates made an official announcement to media outlets that SMAP will be disbanding on December 31, 2016.

Below is the whole announcement from the company.

Regarding 'SMAP's future activities as a group

Thank you always for your support for SMAP.

We have been worrying everyone about SMAP's future activities, and now we would like to report on the conclusion which was made after the consulting with the members multiple times.

SMAP who have been doing their group activities as artists for 25 years since their debut, will be disbanding after December 31, 2016.

After receiving the members' intentions to stay in the company and continue their group activities, back in January of this year, our whole company has been preparing in many ways to support SMAP. Starting in February to August 10, we have spent over 6 months in meetings with each member individually and all the members together, proposing them for usual appearances on music shows, holding live concerts and commemorative events for the 20th anniversary of their TV show, as well as the 25th anniversary since their CD debut. However, during the consultations, some members told us 'it is difficult to continue as a group with the members' current situations', which caused the group's non-appearances on the music shows during July.

In August, we suggested them to take a break as a group in order to have some time to think it all until the whole situation settles in a positive way, for the sake of people who are waiting. But some of the members preferred 'disbanding rather than taking a break.' Though it was a tough decision, with respect towards them who have kept running until now, we thought that it is difficult to continue as a group if some members are wishing to disband.

We feel terrible for our inadequacy not to be able to meet the support and expectations of the fans who were eagerly looking forward to the 25th-anniversary concerts and event. Please accept our apology.

Even though SMAP is disbanding after this year, all of them will continue staying with the company, and each one will do their best in solo activities, so we would like to ask you for your continuous support just like now.

We will greatly appreciate your further guidance and encouragement.

http://www.tokyohive.com/article/201...ps-disbandment

[KarenPang]

SMAP members release statements on their disbandment

With the official announcement of SMAP's disbandment on December 31, 2016, the members have released their own statements.

- Nakai Masahiro
"To the fans and people concerned, please allow us to announce that we, SMAP, will be disbanding. I'm so sorry to have troubled and worried you. I thank you for all of your support for us over the years. Please forgive us for coming up with this kind of conclusion. I am really sorry..."

- Kimura Takuya
"About this 'group's disbandment', I am honestly regretful. But for the 25th anniversary live or our group activities, there is nothing I can do if five of us aren't together, so all I can do now is to understand. Ignoring the feelings of the fans who supported us a lot, and the staff members, it ended up with such a deplorable conclusion as 'disbandment.' I do not know what to say now."

- Inagaki Goro
"To the fans and the staffs, I am truly sorry to have troubled and worried you. We thought that it was difficult to continue our group activities in our current situation, so we have decided to 'disband' though it was a tough decision. I hope you understand our intentions. Thank you very much for the past 28 years."

- Kusanagi Tsuyoshi
"We, SMAP, have chosen the path to disband. To the fans who have always cheered for us, and the related parties who have supported us, thank you very much for the 28 years since the formation of the group. We will continue devoting ourselves, so I will be happy if you watch us over warmly."

- Katori Shingo
"To the fans and the staff members, we, SMAP, are disbanding. I sincerely would like to give my gratitude for many people who supported us, and also I am deeply sorry for this sudden announcement."

http://www.tokyohive.com/article/201...ir-disbandment

===

Personally I'm not a big SMAP fan but I wouldn't deny how much their juniors look up to them as when they were 1st formed , nobody cared about them

It's so unfortunate things have to come to this state but the upside is that all 5 members will still be in the agency despite their differences

I feel sorry for those who have followed/supported SMAP for close to 3 decades :x

[Bigtop]

I have to wonder though how the rumors of disbandment started, especially when that all started early this year (or late 2015)...

[SunshineSlayer]

Finally. And I'm a SMAP fan. It's been obvious that the only one still enjoying being there was Kimura and occasionally Nakai.

[Chibi-Chan]

After all this time it's strange to not have them around anymore. But they deserve to retire after such a long time in the industry.

[KarenPang]

I'm going to miss SMAPxSMAP especially with over the years how much the show has evolved

For now they haven't said when will be the last time the show end but I'm sure it will be before 2016 ends ._.

[KarenPang]

Not surprised this has happened

http://tieba.baidu.com/p/4732234600?see_lz=1

To see so many of SMAP's past releases re-entering oricon , on 1 hand is crazy on the other hand it's pure sad

[Mai82Go]

Oh, gosh. I haven't been here for a while and I haven't been checking any J-News sites either as my interests have radically changed in the last few years. So in some sudden fit of nostalgia I thought I should check AHS. And what do I see SMAP disband, Taguchi has left KAT-TUN and Ayu's divorcing, again. Who thought that the latter would be the least shocking/surprising? Gosh...

[KarenPang]

SMAP To Release Last Album "SMAP 25 YEARS" Before Disbandment

SMAP has announced that it will be releasing a best-of album titled "SMAP 25 YEARS" on December 21.

Fans will be able to vote on the songs included on the album. 400 songs will be available to choose from, and the top 50 songs will be included on the 3-disc album.

SMAP will be re-recording some of its music for the album to update the sound of some of its older songs.

The upcoming album is being described as the group's "last work", with no other releases planned at this time.

In addition to the group's final album, SMAP will be releasing a DVD and Blu ray set titled "Clip! Smap! Complete Singles" on December 28. The set will feature music videos for all 55 of the group's singles. 63 songs in total will be included in the set, with live recordings used for songs that did not have a music video.

SMAP will be disbanding on December 31 after 25 years together. The group's song "Sekai ni Hitotsudake no Hana" was recently named Japan's most influential song of all time.

http://www.jpopasia.com/feed/18611/s...e-disbandment/

No surprises but I think at most SMAP should perform at Kouhaku before they finally disband considering that in recent years they stopped performing at the Johnnys Countdown

Performing at Kouhaku would be a great final send off for them

[KarenPang]

SMAP to release 25-year best of album

SMAP, who will be disbanding on December 31, have announced the release of their best-of album "SMAP 25 YEARS" on December 21.

The members decided on the release of this album to thank their fans for their support over the past 25 years. As such, the track list will be chosen by fan request. There will be a total of about 50 songs in three discs.

This will be the third time SMAP will release an album based on their fans' request. The poll will close on October 4 at 11:59 pm.

In addition, SMAP will release a live DVD/Blu-ray titled "Clip! Smap! Complete Singles" on December 28. This will include all 63 of their music videos as well as live footage.

You can vote for your favourite SMAP songs here!

http://www.tokyohive.com/article/201...-best-of-album

[KarenPang]

SMAP To Receive Formal Offer To Appear On "Kohaku Uta Gassen"

SMAP will be receiving a formal offer in October from NHK to appear on the network's annual year-end program "Kohaku Uta Gassen".

Daily Sports Online learned of the network's intentions to offer the group a spot on the show on September 21, and published its report on September 22.

News of the network's plans comes after NHK Chairman Katsuhito Momii expressed his desire to bring the group onto the program. The appearance would coincide with the group's final day together before disbanding and would likely boost ratings.

NHK's Executive Director of Broadcasting Yukinori Kida is uncertain that the network will be able to get SMAP to agree to appear on the program. According to Kida, the members currently do not want to do group activities, so getting them on the show will be difficult.

SMAP is the first artist known to be getting an invitation to this year's "Kohaku Uta Gassen". The year-end program is a prestigious institution, and appearing on it is considered an honour. The group has appeared on the program 23 times during its first 24 years together.

http://www.jpopasia.com/feed/18624/s...ku-uta-gassen/

[dreamalley]

I never cared about SMAP. But nothing lasts forever and it's a huge thing that they managed to last this long.

All I care about is Kimura Takuya. Now that he'll have some free time I seriously hope he'll focus on his acting career.

His last few dramas have been so disappointing. I wish he'd come back and do one last major hit before retiring. I don't want him to end his acting career known as a "former" good actor from the past decade.

[Bigtop]

What happened with SMAP on December 31st? I thought they were reflecting on the group's success at a restaurant at that time...

There was also a special five-hour SMAPxSMAP finale episode as well before it...


Anyways, a follow-up: Three former SMAP members - Goro Inagaki, Tsuyoshi Kusanagi and Shingo Katori - are about to leave the Johnny's agency this September (2017, as soon as their contract expires on the eighth).

That means Masahiro Nakai and Takuya Kimura are the two remaining SMAP members of the five at the disbandment that will stay with Johnny's in some way...

http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2092675/full/
http://aramajapan.com/news/goro-inag...ptember/76807/

[Aga-chan]

I knew this for some time, but when I first learnt about it I was really surprised. I'm not a fan or anything, but I kind of thought they'd be around forever.