Arashi to Cease Activities in May 2026 Shares Heartfelt Moments Over Baseball and Dinner

2025-05-12

The members of Arashi, who will restart their activities with a tour next spring, announced that they will disband in May next year.

In April 2024, Arashi will establish a corporation called Arashi Inc

On May 6, it was announced that the national idol group Arashi would be bringing an end to their group activities. The five members—Masaki Aiba (42), Jun Matsumoto (41), Kazunari Ninomiya (41), Satoshi Ohno (44), and Sho Sakurai (43)—appeared in a video on their fan club website, FAMILY CLUB, where they shared the following:

“We have started moving toward the concert tour scheduled for next spring as Arashi,”

and added,

“With this tour, we will conclude our activities as Arashi.”

Arashi debuted in November 1999 with their hit song A・RA・SHI, and rapidly became one of Japan’s most beloved groups. They not only dominated music charts but also appeared in dramas, movies, and variety shows as hosts, including VS Arashi on Fuji TV. Arashi performed the grand finale at NHK’s Kohaku Uta Gassen four times (three of which were the final performance of the night), and from 2010 onwards, they served as the white team hosts for five consecutive years. From 2016 to 2019, members also took turns hosting the event individually, further solidifying their status as a national treasure adored by fans across all generations.

“In 2020, at the height of their popularity, the leader, Ohno, proposed a hiatus, and while the other members continued their individual entertainment activities, Ohno stepped back from the public eye,” shared a female magazine reporter.

Ohno’s investments, such as a resort facility in Miyako Island, also became the subject of media attention, and rumors circulated that he might not return to the group. During this time, the announcement of the formation of Arashi Inc. thrilled fans.

“In April 2024, it was revealed that the five members established a company. Takashi Shimonoya, a former television director and lawyer who assisted in discussions with the management company STARTO ENTERTAINMENT, became the CEO. The announcement of this company’s formation, amidst rumors of their disbandment, gave fans hope for Arashi’s comeback,” said a sports newspaper journalist.

The company reportedly operates under the principle that if one person dislikes something, it won’t be done. This indicates that the decision for the tour and the eventual disbandment was made collectively after thorough discussions among all members.

Arashi has long been a dominant force in the entertainment industry. Despite their public personas, Friday magazine has repeatedly witnessed their unguarded, private moments. The star-like aura they exuded was undeniable, even when not in the limelight.

December 2021: Rare Casual Outfits Before the Activity Hiatus

After the breakup of “Arashi,” Satoshi Ohno is expected to leave the entertainment world to run his own company and concentrate on artistic activities such as painting.

Matsumoto Jun also directed the Arashi live performance at the National Stadium. It seems that he will focus on producing from now on.

Sho Sakurai married a classmate from his college days. He also works as an anchor for “news zero” (NTV).

Kazunari Ninomiya has won the Japan Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role.

Masaki Aiba was the MC of “VS Spirit,” the successor program to “VS Arashi” (Fuji Television Network).

The five members of “Arashi” at an event in Shinagawa, Tokyo, on December 11, 2021.

March 2004: Sho Sakurai’s “Radiance” at his High School Graduation Ceremony

Sakurai’s attendance rate was good and he was rarely late. He also excelled in his grades at Keio University, where he went on to higher education.

In 2001, Kazunari Ninomiya’s first love scandal involved an 18-year-old idol.

Ninomiya was seen leaving the home of an idol who had been chosen as the Visual Queen of Fuji TV. Afterward, the two were walking hand in hand.

Kazunari Ninomiya and Masaki Aiba, who are crazy about grass baseball in December 2005

Kazunari Ninomiya looks cool standing on the mound as a pitcher.

Koichi Domoto (left), Kazunari Ninomiya (middle) and Masaki Aiba (right) of “KInKi Kids” participated in a grass baseball tournament at Jingu Gaien on a Sunday in December 2005.

Masaki Aiba’s posture looks good, but the result was an infield single.

In 2007, at the wrap-up party for Bambino! Jun Matsumoto showed his lively side, fully enjoying the night.

During the after-party, Jun Matsumoto came out to see off the staff leaving early from the venue. He stood upright and greeted them with a big smile.

In 2009, Masaki Aiba shocked everyone with his actions at a golf practice range

Masaki Aiba continues to thoroughly swing the golf club while checking his form

Taking off his jacket in the parking lot of the driving range and carefully wiping himself with a towel

In 2015, Satoshi Ohno was reported to have visited a hot stone spa (ganbanyoku) with a former actress who was 10 years younger than him, with whom he was allegedly living together at the time.

After they finished the bedrock bath together, they hurriedly got into a cab and left the scene.

When this magazine directly hit him, Ohno said, “I can’t say anything.”

In November 1999, the five members of Arashi appeared at their debut handshake event

The five members at their debut handshake event on November 3, 1999, striking their signature, unique guts pose.

PHOTO： Shinji Hasuo