Conflicts with their agencies, the sudden cancellation of a live tour… A stark contrast: Where the “Type-R” trainees stand now

Sudden Termination of Management Contract

Ryuto Iwasaki (25) gained attention on the audition show “PRODUCE 101 JAPAN” (GYAO!/TBS network), which launched the global boy band “JO1,” as well as on “timelesz project -AUDITION-” (Netflix), an audition for new members of “timelesz.”Although he subsequently launched his solo career under the name “Luvto,” his management contract with his agency ended this past June. About a year and a half after “Type-Ro” ended, the participants’ fortunes have diverged—

“After being eliminated in the fourth round of ‘Type-Ro,’ Iwasaki began activities as ‘Luvto’ last December and released his first digital single, ‘Going on,’ on December 1.In January of this year, she announced that she had joined ‘DREAM PASSPORT.’ On the 16th of that month, she posted an optimistic message on her X (formerly Twitter) account, saying, ‘I’m taking a new step forward at a place where I felt I could rely on them. I will continue to give it my all from here on out.’” (Sports newspaper entertainment reporter)

With high expectations for her future activities—including a scheduled appearance at the “Ai FES” music festival in late April—the termination of her contract came as a surprise. “DREAM PASSPORT” explained the circumstances, stating, “Since she reported feeling unwell, she has continued her activities while recuperating, but the situation has persisted to the point where it has been difficult to carry out the activities originally planned.”

“Iwasaki had stated on YouTube that she ‘trusts the president of her current agency.’ She also shared an anecdote about coming to the agency early in the morning to practice (the video in question is currently private), and since she appeared to be enthusiastically starting her activities, fans seem to be confused,” (ibid.)

Similarly, Taito Maeda (30) and Kōkai Yamane (24), both alumni of “Type-R,” began their solo singing careers after failing the auditions.Tomoki Nishiyama (26) and Daisuke Maeda (25), who were eliminated in the fifth round of auditions, are now signed to the major talent agency “Horipro” and have formed the group “TAGRIGHT.”They released their pre-debut track “FOREVER BLUE” digitally in January of this year and are scheduled to release their debut single “ZERO”—their first CD—on July 15.

Among the members who made it to the fifth round of auditions, Ryo Suzuki (27) is the one whose future is viewed with the most uncertainty.Although the final episode of “Type-R” was streamed on February 15 of last year, Suzuki appears to have been working behind the scenes even before then, announcing the launch of his fan club on March 1. Starting in April of that year, his eponymous radio show, “Ryo Suzuki: Is It Okay for Me to Be Happy?” (InterFM), began airing, and with solo live performances and other activities, things seemed to be going smoothly for him.

“I trusted Ryo-kun, but…”

However, on April 5 of this year, the “Ryo Suzuki Staff” X account announced, “We have decided to completely overhaul our management structure.” They also announced the cancellation of the tour “Ryo Suzuki Second Tour 2026 ‘LUMINOUS’ ~Toward a Brilliance Yet to Be Seen~,” which was scheduled to begin on May 2.

On the 13th of the same month, it was reported that he had signed with “Beigram Records.” Suzuki himself posted a comment saying, “I’ll do my best to show all my fans an even more powerful Ryo Suzuki, so please wait just a little longer!” However, he has not been particularly active since then. He has only been posting on Instagram to show that he is abroad.

“Fans who have been following Suzuki since ‘Type-R’ have expressed confusion online, saying, ‘We believed in Ryo-kun and waited eagerly, but we can’t trust the management under the new system.Is it really okay that he’s canceling tours and just going overseas all the time?” and “What is he trying to achieve by canceling live shows at the last minute and inconveniencing fans…? It’s worrying,” they are voicing their confusion online” (ibid).

Amid this, on June 16, he announced that he would hold a comeback live event, “Ryo Suzuki Live Collection —ZERO—,” in August. On July 1, he held an Instagram Live session from Central Park in New York City. During the livestream, Suzuki addressed his fans, saying, “I think people who aren’t interested in my Instagram Stories don’t have to watch them at all.Since everyone can only see the results, there might be a lot of distrust right now, but it’s okay. You don’t have to worry about anything,” he told his fans.

“Type-R” finalists Michi Hamakawa (20) and Hiromu Honda (26) have formed the unit “ROIROM.” On June 10 of this year, they released their major-label debut mini-album, “CLASSIC WAVE,” through Victor Entertainment.Another finalist, Noga Asai (19), joined STARTO ENTERTAINMENT in December 2025. It was announced that she has begun activities as a junior.

“Current timelesz member Yoshitaka Hara (30) seems to be watching over his fellow audition participants from afar.On the radio show *“timelesz: Shori Sato & Yoshitaka Hara’s Recomen!”* (Bunka Broadcasting), while mentioning that Asai had become a junior, he told listeners, “Other members (who were also candidates) have moved to different agencies and are now working as duos or in groups,”“and some are going solo. They’re all doing their best in different fields, so please be sure to support them,” he told listeners,” (Entertainment agency executive)

After “Type-R,” the participants went their separate ways. Even those who aren’t currently in the spotlight believe that their time to shine will come someday.