“Was Shigeoka the Trigger?” Behind WEST.’s Shock Departures and Fujii & Kotaki’s Career Plans

An abrupt departure announcement

The seven-member group “WEST.,” which celebrated its 12th anniversary since debut in April this year, has been rocked by a major upheaval.

On August 9, Daiki Shigeoka (34) and Takahiro Hamada (37) each announced their marriages. It had only just been announced that four of the seven members were now married, a shocking development for fans, when on August 30, STARTO ENTERTAINMENT (hereinafter “STARTO”) announced on its official website: “We would like to announce that our contracted talents Ryusei Fujii and Nozomu Kotaki have decided to leave WEST.” The company said that as discussions continued regarding the group’s future activities, Fujii and Kotaki had expressed their desire to leave WEST. and pursue activities in a new form.

“No official departure date has been set, and the company says it will provide information about their upcoming activities and appearances once arrangements with the relevant parties have been completed. Regarding the ‘KAMIGATA EXPO PARK FES 2026’ event scheduled to be held in Osaka on October 31 and November 1, it has also been announced that refunds will be provided because it will be difficult for WEST. to appear as a seven-member group.” (Sports newspaper entertainment reporter)

Fujii and Kotaki will continue their entertainment careers under the agency. As for WEST.’s future activities, discussions are continuing with the remaining members: Daiki Shigeoka, Takahiro Hamada, Tomohiro Kamiyama (33), Akito Kiriyama (37), and Junta Nakama (38).

“On the night of the 30th, comments from Fujii and Kotaki were posted on the fan-club website. While both expressed their love and gratitude toward WEST. itself, they also revealed that a slight gap had gradually emerged between the kind of idols they aspire to be and the direction of the group. On the 31st, the two updated their blogs on the members-only site ‘FAMILY CLUB web.’ Although the future has not yet been decided, Fujii declared, ‘I still want to be an idol from here on.’ Kotaki also wrote, ‘I sincerely hope that I will once again be able to sing and dance in front of everyone.’” (same source)

It appears that they decided that they would leave the group no matter what and ultimately followed through. Sensing an ominous atmosphere, fans online have expressed concern that there may have been friction among the members. One factor being discussed is the recent announcement of the double marriages of Shigeoka and Hamada.

In WEST., Kiriyama married former Japanese women’s national volleyball team player Maiko Kano (38) in January 2025, while Kamiyama married a non-celebrity woman in October of the same year. Hamada simply announced his marriage, while Shigeoka went so far as to reveal that he had become a father, stating, “I would like to announce that we have welcomed a new life.” The sudden announcement came as a major shock to fans. Perhaps Fujii and Kotaki also had mixed feelings about the series of marriages among their fellow members.

“Judging from Kotaki’s personal Instagram, it does not appear that he has a negative reaction toward all of the members. Most recently, he liked Hamada’s post dated August 30 and Kamiyama’s post dated September 2. He also traveled all the way to a theater in Osaka to watch Kamiyama’s stage production ‘Akechiko! ~The Black Diamond of Steam, or the Island of Madness~.’

“The production closed on August 30, but Kotaki posted on Instagram Stories, ‘I finally got to see it,’ along with a photo, adding, ‘I’ll be cheering you on for tomorrow’s final performance as well.’ Kamiyama also replied via Stories, saying, ‘Thank you for coming all the way to Osaka. I’m gonna give it my all.’ At the very least, his relationship with Kamiyama and Hamada appears to be good.” (same source)

Expected to find success on stage and in dramas

Incidentally, when Kiriyama got married, Kotaki congratulated him on Instagram Stories, writing, “Akito! Congratulations!” At the time, it appears that Kotaki was not opposed to his fellow members getting married. However, Shigeoka’s case was somewhat different from those of the other three.

“Since Kotaki went to see Kamiyama’s stage production, I think the cause has to be Shigeoka.”

“Kotaki congratulated Akito, so I don’t think he has that much of an aversion to the members getting married. Shigeoka is definitely the one to blame.”

Comments like these can be seen frequently online. Fans have pointed out that perhaps not being told about the existence of Shigeoka’s child was what triggered the departure.

Although neither Fujii nor Kotaki has decided what they will do next, an executive at a major entertainment agency expects that “offers for stage productions and dramas are likely to continue.”

“Kotaki’s performance in the 2020 stage production ‘The Elephant Man’ was highly praised, earning him the Haruko Sugimura Award and the Best Actor Award at the 28th Yomiuri Theater Awards. When he starred in the musical ‘DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY’ in 2024, he also received enthusiastic praise from musical fans, and expectations have since grown for him to take on more full-scale musical productions.

Fujii has been gaining new fans through recent starring dramas such as ‘Kiss de Fusaide, Barenaide.’ (Yomiuri TV) and ‘Zenbu, Anata no Tame Dakara’ (TV Asahi network), and many people have been captivated by his sensual, deep voice. As an actor, he should be on solid ground for the time being.”

Will this be the end of WEST.’s seven-member lineup as we know it?