Arashi leader Satoshi Ohno has announced he will leave the agency that has been with him since his debut, and the move is being read as an effective retirement plan that has drawn fans' attention.
On the 28th, Japanese media reported that Arashi's agency, Star To Entertainment (formerly Johnny's Office), said that after Arashi's final day of activities on May 31, Ohno Satoshi will leave the agency he joined in 1994 and has been with for about 32 years.
According to the report, Star To announced Ohno Satoshi's plan to leave the agency on its official website and social media. Arashi is preparing for its final tour, 'Arashi Live Tour 2026 We are ARASHI,' which begins in March this year. On the tour's final day, May 31, Ohno Satoshi will also conclude his contract with the agency.
In particular, the announcement is being interpreted not simply as a transfer after leaving the agency but as Ohno Satoshi's declaration of retirement from the entertainment industry. In 2019, Arashi effectively went on hiatus as they marked their 20th anniversary. While the other members pursued acting, variety shows and other activities, Ohno Satoshi kept his distance from the Japanese entertainment industry without separate activities. With that background, it is understood that after Arashi's final concert he will complete the retirement from show business he had postponed during the hiatus by leaving the agency.
Arashi debuted in 1999 as a representative idol under Johnny's, but in April 2023, following a major sexual exploitation scandal within Johnny's, members began leaving the agency in sequence. In October 2023, member Kazunari Ninomiya was the first to leave, and in May the following year Jun Matsumoto left Johnny's. Ohno Satoshi has now become the third to announce plans to leave. The only members remaining with the original Johnny's agency are Sho Sakurai and Masaki Aiba.
However, Arashi established a separate independent corporation, Arashi Co., Ltd., centered on the five members in April 2024. It is reported that, separately from Star To, decisions regarding Arashi's activities have been made through the independent corporation with the five members.
Regarding Ohno Satoshi's departure, Star To said in an official statement, "We sincerely thank the fans and all those involved who have supported him for a long time. We respect Ohno Satoshi's decision to walk a new path and sincerely thank him for his many public contributions to date. We also ask that you continue to support him."
Ohno Satoshi also said through Star To, "I have decided to leave the agency when Arashi's activities end on May 31 this year. I entered this world at 14 and have been indebted for about 32 years to the people at the agency and to the related staff. Thank you. Above all, to the fans who have supported me until now, it is because of you that I have been able to continue my activities. I have nothing but gratitude. Thank you very much. After finishing Arashi activities, I would like to do things at my own pace. Before that, until May 31 this year, all five of us want to run as Arashi. Please watch us until the end."
[Photo] Provided by SM Entertainment.
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