Kamenashi Hinted at Solo Career Before KAT-TUN’s Breakup

Company decide it’s better for the members?

The three-member group KAT-TUN will disband on March 31, as announced by their agency, STARTO ENTERTAINMENT (formerly Johnny & Associates). The group had been active as a trio since April 2016, following the departures of previous members. On the day of the disbandment, Kazuya Kamenashi will also leave the agency, while Tatsuya Ueda and Yuichi Nakamaru will remain. According to an entertainment writer, Kamenashi had been contemplating his future for about two years.

On February 12, STARTO officially reported KAT-TUN’s disbandment. The company had signed a contract with KAT-TUN in April 2024, but after approximately a year of discussions with the members, they determined that from April 1, 2025, it would be better for the group to part ways and pursue individual paths.

“KAT-TUN debuted as a six-member group in March 2006, including Jin Akanishi, Koki Tanaka, and Junnosuke Taguchi. A year prior to their debut, Kamenashi and Akanishi starred as the ‘JinKame’ duo in the drama Gokusen Season 2 (NTV, January–March 2005), which ignited their popularity. Their unique wild image, distinct from SMAP and Arashi, was well received, and their debut single Real Face became a million-seller, marking an era of success,” the entertainment writer explained.

However, the group saw a series of departures—Akanishi in July 2010, Tanaka in September 2013, and Taguchi in March 2016. Despite this, Kamenashi, Ueda, and Nakamaru continued their group activities, with their 20th CD debut anniversary approaching next year. The disbandment announcement came just before this milestone.

Fans particularly focused on the agency’s statement that “it was determined as a company that choosing individual paths would be better for the members going forward.” While discussions were held with the members, the wording made it seem as though the decision was ultimately led by the company, leading to mixed reactions:

“The phrase determined as a company feels unsettling.”

“‘Determined as a company’—it sounds like they were forced out.”

“‘Determined as a company’ keeps bothering me. Was it about numbers and profitability? Could the fans have done more?”

The announcement sparked both doubts and disappointment among fans.