The Japanese idol group NEWS, whose very existence is news because of so many things.
The group had nine members when it was formed, but now has three.
What exactly happened? And what are the departing members doing now?
2023年8月に結成20周年！
2003年に結成して20周年を迎えたNEWS。
13枚目のアルバム「NEWS EXPO」を発売して、NEWS 20th Anniversary LIVE 2023 NEWS EXPOを開催。
９人が３人になってもなおアリーナを満席にするNEWSの人気には驚きです。
9 initial members of NEWS
NEWS was a nine-member group when it debuted in 2011.
Early members of NEWS
- Keiichiro Koyama
- Takahisa Masuda
- Shigeaki Kato (now Shigeaki Kato)
- Tomohisa Yamashita
- Yuya Tegoshi
- Hiroki Kusano
- Takahiro Moriuchi
- Ryo Nishikido
- Hirotaka Uchihiro
*Current members in bold
NEWS Member Transition and Reasons for Leaving
Formed in September 2003, NEWS debuted with the single "NEWS Nippon" in November of the same year.
The members of Johnny's Jr. at that time made a spectacular debut together, but within a few months of their debut, one of them, and then another a few years later, went their separate ways.
- December 2003 Takahiro Moriuchi
Withdrew to concentrate on studies - December 2006 Hiroki Uchihiro
Suspended and then withdrawn for conduct undesirable as a minor - December 2006 Hiroki Kusano
Withdrew after refraining from activities due to suspicion of undesirable behavior as a minor. - October 2011 Tomohisa Yamashita
Withdrawal to concentrate on solo activities - October 2011 Ryo Nishikido
Withdrew to concentrate on activities of Kanjani∞. - June 2020 Yuya Tegoshi
Withdrew after refraining from activities by participating in a party under a state of emergency declaration.
NEWS Early member 9 member period
NEWS 8 Persons Era
In 2003, Takahiro Moriuchi left the group to concentrate on his studies, and the group became eight members.
NEWS 6 Persons Era
In 2006, Hiroki Uchihiro and Hiroki Kusano left the group, leaving six members.
And NEWS 4 person period
In 2011, Tomohisa Yamashita and Ryo Nishikido left the group, leaving NEWS with four members.
Finally, there are now three members of NEWS
The number of members was reduced by 1/3 from 9 in the early 2020s to 3.
What is the current status of the departing NEWS members?
Each of the departing NEWS members took a different path.
What have you been doing since leaving NEWS?
Takahiro Moriuchi
Takahiro Moriuchi is currently the vocalist of the rock band ONE OK ROCK under the name Taka.
Hiroki Kusano
He is the vocalist of the pop rock band Porehead.
Hirotaka Uchihiro
Hiroki Uchihiro is a solo talent belonging to the Johnny's Office, performing mainly on stage and in musicals.
He played the leading role in the stage production of "Run, Melos.
Tomohisa Yamashita
Tomohisa Yamashita-kun goes without saying, as he is often seen through media such as dramas and magazines even after his departure from NEWS.
He is a talent belonging to Johnny's Office.
Ryo Nishikido
After leaving NEWS, Ryo Nishikido devoted himself to his activities as Kanjani Eight.
I left Kanjani Eight in September 2019 and left the Johnny's Office.
He established an independent music label "NOMAD RECORDS" and is active in solo music as a singer-songwriter.
He also works under the name "N/A" with Jin Akanishi.
Yuya Tegoshi
Yuya Tegoshi, the controversial idol whose publication of an exposé book and YouTube page have been the talk of the town since his departure from the company, is still fresh in our minds.
He has also started his own company and is working as a freelancer.
Summary of history and current activities of NEWS members
NEWS Member Transition
- 9 members at the time of formation in 2011 to 3 in 2020
- The remaining members of NEWS are
Keiichiro Koyama
Takahisa Masuda
Shigeaki Kato - Tomohisa Yamashita: Solo activities with Johnny's
- Yuya Tegoshi: Left the company to become a YouTuber
- Hiroki Kusano: left the company to become vocalist of another band.
- Takahiro Moriuchi: left the company to become vocalist of another band.
- Ryo Nishikido: left the company and established his own label.
- Hiroki Uchihiro: Solo activities with Johnny's
The departure of a member from the group is also a source of personal and emotional sadness for some fans.
However, it may not be so negative for NEWS, which continues to be active in its own way after leaving the group.
I'd like to support all the NEWS members and ex-NEWS members who have gone their separate ways but continue to shine!
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