<figure id="attachment_414370" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1983px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-414370"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="e06265e4"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2025/02/893c0118ab2037fd6f8fa2d090874f3c.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-414370" class="wp-caption-text">Kazuya Kamenashi (38) – November 2011. He attended the wedding party of a bar owner popular among celebrities. His flashy jacket stood out.</figcaption></figure>
<h2>The six members have distinctly unique personalities</h2>
A group that was considered an outlier among former Johnny’s acts is now closing the curtain on more than 20 years of history.
On February 12, it was announced that KAT-TUN would disband on March 31.
Formed in 2001, the group originally consisted of Kazuya Kamenashi (38), Jin Akanishi (40), Junnosuke Taguchi (39), Koki Tanaka (39), Tatsuya Ueda (41), and Yuichi Nakamaru (41). Their debut single, &#8220;Real Face&#8221;, was written by Shikao Suga (58) and composed by Tak Matsumoto (63)—a unique collaboration that resulted in a million-seller.
Veteran entertainment reporter Chikako Komai, who has covered KAT-TUN extensively, describes the six members as highly unconventional.
&#8220;Originally, they were formed as exclusive backup dancers for Koichi Domoto (46), but they were really wild back then. They would slouch into press conferences, speaking informally to reporters. At one point, Domoto got so fed up that he angrily told them, &#8216;I don’t want you backing me up anymore.&#8217;
At the same time, their intense, rebellious aura resonated with the public in a way that traditional Johnny’s idols hadn’t. In March 2006, they became the first group in history to hold a solo concert at Tokyo Dome before even making their CD debut. That shows just how much attention they were getting.&#8221;
From high-profile relationships with major celebrities to multiple member departures, drug-related arrests, and public apologies, KAT-TUN has always been a group on the edge—a quality FRIDAY has witnessed firsthand from their early days. The photos included here capture just a small part of their dramatic journey.
After 2010, a series of departures—Akanishi, Tanaka, and Taguchi—due to creative differences or scandals left the group constantly teetering on the brink of collapse. Each time, Kamenashi took the lead in apologizing and explaining the situation, keeping KAT-TUN afloat.
&#8220;When Taguchi left in 2016, Kamenashi was particularly shaken. There were discussions about disbanding at that time, but Ueda and Nakamaru were adamant about keeping the group together, which allowed them to continue,&#8221; says an executive from a talent agency.
However, this time, they finally decided to disband. What pushed them to make this decision?
Another talent agency executive explains:
&#8220;Since the group became a trio, there was a divide—Kamenashi wanted to bring closure to KAT-TUN, while Ueda and Nakamaru wanted to continue. Then came the Johnny’s sexual misconduct scandal, which led to the agency’s dissolution. Kamenashi became increasingly focused on solo activities, including live performances and YouTube projects. Meanwhile, Nakamaru’s romantic scandal surfaced, which was the final blow.
Originally, Kamenashi was planning to leave the group but remain with the agency. However, after over a year of discussions, he ultimately decided to resign. It seems he wanted to make a complete break before embarking on a fresh start.&#8221;
Even in their final chapter, KAT-TUN—a group that stirred controversy yet remained beloved by fans—continued to defy expectations.
<figure id="attachment_414382" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1272px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-414382"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="6746c671"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2025/02/26d9b9dfc38ac8a7173a5383557f8324.png" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-414382" class="wp-caption-text">November 2007 – Had dinner at an Italian restaurant with a woman in her 20s working in the fashion industry. At the time, Kamenashi was in a relationship with Kyoko Koizumi (59).</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_414371" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1403px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-414371"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="92a959b9"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2025/02/ad7abfd538713b6f4292d809bdd022af.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-414371" class="wp-caption-text">February 2019 – Went on a date with a blonde beauty at a high-end Chinese restaurant in Roppongi. Later, they moved to The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo for an afterparty.</figcaption></figure>
<div data-friday-nextpage-lead="FRIDAY only took [secret photos]."></div>
<figure id="attachment_414381" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1570px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-414381"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="db9dad8f"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2025/02/83e68e9a86d426f6e03d0222297529a0.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-414381" class="wp-caption-text">Jin Akanishi (40) – January 2008 – FRIDAY caught him on a date in Daikanyama with a blonde beauty. A legendary ladies’ man, he has been romantically linked with numerous women.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_414372" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1373px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-414372"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="5ca7bf7b"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2025/02/4f514ac28bd2bf54503d4c264bd16b27.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-414372" class="wp-caption-text">June 2010 – Returned to Japan after his solo concert in Los Angeles. He seemed extremely confident about its success and eagerly responded to an impromptu interview.</figcaption></figure>
<div data-friday-ad-slot="AD_inArticle"></div>
<figure id="attachment_414375" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 2500px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-414375"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="9e01bbca"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2025/02/2b33d9718fef853f31bad792bce2a41c.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-414375" class="wp-caption-text">Koki Tanaka (39) – October 2013 – Gave an interview right after being dismissed from Johnny &amp; Associates. His termination was due to repeated rule violations.</figcaption></figure>
<div data-friday-ad-slot="AD_inArticle"></div>
<figure id="attachment_414373" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 2500px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-414373"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="d0310585"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2025/02/d8149e806bbff469d39cc89522e263f2.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-414373" class="wp-caption-text">2014 – A photo taken at the bar he opened in Nishiazabu. Three years later, he was arrested on the spot for violating the Cannabis Control Act.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_414374" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 2500px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-414374"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="f100ff80"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2025/02/0c655f01d9ab3a8ea8036ed0fd054f58.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-414374" class="wp-caption-text">October 2024 – Seen with his best friend of 20 years, Ryo Nishikido (40). They later moved to a wine bar, where they drank with several women until 3 AM.</figcaption></figure>
<div data-friday-nextpage-lead="There are more [secret photos] taken only by FRIDAY."></div>
<figure id="attachment_414378" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 2500px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-414378"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="2a843818"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2025/02/40570a546b30c4ee447aafd2b961e6b5.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-414378" class="wp-caption-text">Yuichi Nakamaru (41) – February 2013 – A few days after Valentine&#8217;s Day, he was spotted with Nana Katase (43), his co-star on Shuichi. Their relationship had rapidly deepened following their time working together.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_414379" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1688px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-414379"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="0ad82061"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2025/02/a30695475643ca5969f5371a73bfec09.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-414379" class="wp-caption-text">Tatsuya Ueda (41) – May 2019 – A photo taken right after Taguchi&#8217;s arrest for violating the Cannabis Control Act. Among the members, he was the only one who maintained a scandal-free image.</figcaption></figure>
<div data-friday-ad-slot="AD_inArticle"></div>
<figure id="attachment_414377" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1700px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-414377"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="fdb7a02d"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2025/02/8473066c27d58d1aa9bbc83276f8852d.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-414377" class="wp-caption-text">Junnosuke Taguchi (39) – May 2011 – Practicing at a batting center in preparation for the agency’s baseball tournament. However, he kept swinging and missing.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_414380" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 2232px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-414380"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="c4ea4b0a"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2025/02/2676b5b8e49cee917eaa572340c12584.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-414380" class="wp-caption-text">June 2019 – Released on bail from Tokyo Wangan Police Station, he apologized with a deep bow, shocking the public with his dramatic gesture.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_414376" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1706px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-414376"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="d0fbee96"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2025/02/6ec4069f18eebb8687b67761cd4d9828.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-414376" class="wp-caption-text">May 2023 – When asked about the Johnny Kitagawa sexual abuse scandal, he responded with a smile but refused to comment on the matter.</figcaption></figure>
From the March 7, 2025 issue of &#8220;FRIDAY&#8221;
<div data-friday-ad-slot="AD_inArticle"></div>

 Takero Shunyu (1st) Sota Shima (3rd, 6th, 8th) Shoichiro Tsuboi (4th) Yasuko Funamoto (5th) Toshikatsu Tanaka (2nd) Yuya Kawasaki (9th) Masaaki Saito (10th) Keisuke Nishi (13th) Shuichi Masuda (11th) Shinji Hasuo (12th)

 KAT-TUN" will end its more than 20-year history on March 31. The group's history of infatuation, defection, leaving the group, arrest, tattoos, and getting down on their knees......FRIDAY takes a look back at the true face of this "unorthodox group" with treasured photos taken exclusively by FRIDAY.

 Love, leaving, leaving the group, arrest, tattoos, and getting down on one's knees. ...... The "unorthodox group" of the old Johnny's's finally comes to an end.

KAT-TUN Disbands! Unveiling Rare Photos of the Six Who Lived on the Edge

Access Ranking