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WEST. to disband on September 30 after 12 years
The J-pop group WEST. has announced it will end its group activities on September 30, 2026, after 12 years since its debut. The decision follows the departure of members Ryusei Fujii and Nozomu Kotaki, who announced their exit from the group in late August to pursue new paths.
Following the two departures, the remaining five members and STARTO ENTERTAINMENT held discussions regarding the possibility of continuing as a five-member group. Ultimately, they concluded that the group would disband to allow all members to focus on their respective individual career directions.
Despite the group's dissolution, all seven members—Daiki Shigeoka, Akito Kiriyama, Junta Nakama, Tomohiro Kamiyama, Takahiro Hamada, Ryusei Fujii, and Nozomu Kotaki—will remain affiliated with STARTO ENTERTAINMENT and continue their activities as individual talents starting October 1.
The sudden announcement has drawn mixed reactions from fans. While many expressed sadness over the end of the group's 12-year history, some have voiced frustration regarding the timing and the circumstances surrounding the recent personal life updates of certain members.
Entities
Daiki Shigeoka · Nozomu Kotaki · Ryusei Fujii · STARTO ENTERTAINMENT · WEST.
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 4 SOURCES] The idol group WEST. will cease group activities on September 30, 2026. www.fnn.jp · news.mynavi.jp
- [● 4 SOURCES] Ryusei Fujii and Nozomu Kotaki announced their departure from the group on August 30, 2026. www.fnn.jp · news.mynavi.jp
- [● 4 SOURCES] The decision to end group activities followed discussions with the five remaining members regarding future directions. www.fnn.jp · news.mynavi.jp
- [○ 1 SOURCE] There are currently no plans for a final farewell stage.
- [● 4 SOURCES] All seven members will remain with STARTO ENTERTAINMENT to pursue individual talent activities starting October 1, 2026. www.fnn.jp · news.mynavi.jp