Tadayoshi Okura’s New Company and Shota Yasuda Departure Rumors Stir Fan Anxiety Over Possible SUPER EIGHT Dissolution This Year

On July 29, Tadayoshi Okura (39) of “SUPEER EIGHT” (hereafter referred to as “EIGHT”), formerly “Kanjani Eight,” said he would establish a new company, “J-pop Legacy,” and focus on fostering young talent.

He said, “Since the days of the old Johnny’s office, Matsujun (Jun Matsumoto of Arashi) in the east has been working with Kanto Junior. Since the days of the old Johnny’s Office, Matsujun (Jun Matsumoto of Arashi) in the east has trained Kanto juniors, while Yokoyama (Yutaka) and Okura in the west have trained Kansai juniors and produced their live performances, and it seems that Okura is going to focus more on such work. The ties in Kansai are stronger than in Kanto, and in fact, Yokoyama and Okura have been in charge of the “Ae! group, for which Yokoyama and Okura have been in charge, was able to make its CD debut before HiHi Jets and Bishonen in the Kanto region,” said the desk in charge of “STARTO company” in a sports newspaper.

However, Okura’s new company name is unpopular with some on SNS, saying, “After all, we are going to inherit Johnny’s and Mr. Johnny to future generations,” since it has the symbol of the old Johnny’s office, “J,” in the initial letter and also contains words of legacy meaning “tradition” and “heritage.

But that’s not all. Okura’s establishment of the company has once again raised dissolution theories among fans. When Akihiro Yasuda injured his finger the other day and took a leave of absence, there were rumors that he might be suffering from a different disease or that the brain tumor he had an operation to remove in 2005 might have recurred. Still, many people said that only EIGHT would continue to do well until their 20th anniversary.

While other groups are finding new directions, EIGHT is still stuck in the same old ways.

On July 29, the members of EIGHT appeared on “Shabekuri 007” (Nippon Television Network Corporation).