Even After the Group’s Breakup, He Continued to Sing All by Himself… Takuya Kimura’s “One-of-a-Kind Love for SMAP” on Display at a Concert

Carrying on the Legacy of SMAP’s Songs

Takuya Kimura (53) kicked off his concert tour, “TAKUYA KIMURA Live Tour 2026 Checkpoint,” on September 5 in Hyogo Prefecture. During the show, in addition to his solo songs, he performed hit songs from his SMAP days, delighting the fans who had rushed to the venue.

Even after SMAP disbanded on December 31, 2016, Kimura remained with Johnny’s (as it was known at the time) and continued to focus primarily on his acting career for a while.In January 2020, he resumed his music career by releasing his first solo album, “Go with the Flow,” through Victor Entertainment—the same record label he had been with during his time with SMAP.

“During his first solo tour, ‘TAKUYA KIMURA Live Tour 2020 Go with the Flow,’ held in February 2020, he performed not only solo songs from his SMAP days but also popular group songs such as ‘SHAKE,’ ‘Yozora no Mukou,’ and ‘Lion Heart.’Masahiro Nakai (54), who was SMAP’s leader, remained with the former Johnny’s agency for a while after the group’s disbandment, but he did not pursue any singing activities.

Goro Inagaki (52), Tsuyoshi Kusanagi (52), and Shingo Katori (49), who left the agency in September 2017, began musical activities under the name “Atarashii Chizu,” but they never performed SMAP songs in public.“Among the former members, Kimura was the only one who has continued to sing the group’s songs,” said a sports newspaper entertainment reporter.

As a solo artist, Kimura released the album *Next Destination* (January 2022) and*SEE YOU THERE* (August 2024) and held solo concerts roughly every two years, but in May of this year, he transferred to “C&C STAGE,” a new private label established within Avex Music Creative Co., Ltd.On August 12, he released “Checkpoint,” his first original album since the move.

This tour, promoting that album, marks his first in about two years and is scheduled to include his first solo overseas performances (Seoul and Taipei).

“My last tour took place from September to December 2024.The year ’24 was a time when the sexual abuse scandal involving the late Johnny Kitagawa caused a huge uproar, and the former Johnny’s Associates was attempting to rebuild itself. STARTO ENTERTAINMENT (hereinafter “STARTO”), which became the new home for its affiliated talents, began full-scale operations in April ’24.

Kimura and the others approached their work with sincerity, determined not to cause their fans any further grief. Two years have passed since then, and due to changes in their circumstances—such as switching labels—some fans had begun to voice concerns about whether Kimura would continue to perform SMAP songs in the future,” (ibid.)

Respect Even from His Juniors

However, despite fans’ concerns, Kimura performed SMAP songs such as “Original Smile,” “Celery,” “The Only Flower in the World,” and “SHAKE” from the very first day of the tour.Perhaps due to the twists and turns—including the dissolution of the former Johnny’s Associates agency, Nakai’s retirement, and Kimura’s move to a new label—fans seemed deeply moved.

“Kimura must have felt, ‘I want to continue cherishing SMAP’s songs just as I always have.’ The fans in the audience said, ‘“Original Smile” was so nostalgic that it almost made me feel as if those five were actually on stage—it was like a SMAP concert had come back to life. ‘Thank you, Takuya,’

‘Some of the dance moves were exactly the same as they were in SMAP’s days—it felt like “SMAP’s Takuya Kimura” was right there in front of me.’ ‘Being able to sing SMAP’s songs even after changing labels is Kimura’s own way of protecting SMAP. I think it’s a sign of his love for SMAP,’ they said, clearly moved,” said an executive at a major record label.

According to fan reports posted on social media, during the first day’s performance, Kimura reportedly referred to his agency’s name change, saying, “The company is hanging in there,” and “They even changed the name,” adding that “my roots haven’t changed one bit.” In response, fans commented:

<Kimutaku really is cool>

<A quote every fan of the agency should hear. What Kimura-san says carries weight>

<I think there are lots of junior members who stayed with the agency because Kimura did. He’s the best senior—cool not just on the outside, but on the inside, too>

—with voices praising Kimura pouring in.

On the TV program *Let Snow Man Do It* (TBS), which aired in December 2024, Raul (23) of *Snow Man* made remarks to the effect that the fact Kimura is still with the same agency “gives us strength.”For fans of the agency and its younger talents alike, Kimura continues to be a source of reassurance.