News

[UltraLoveMoon7]

NEWS (ニュース, Nyusu?) (originally NewS) is a Japanese group formed by Johnny & Associates, under the label Johnny's Entertainment. Before their official debut they released a single as a nine-member group entitled News Nippon (News ニッポン, lit. News Japan?). They officially made their debut in 2004 as an eight-member group with their first number-one single Kibou ~Yell~ (希望 ~Yell~, lit. Hope ~Yell~?).

Originally there were nine members but Takahiro Moriuchi left the group before their official debut. In 2005 and 2006, two NEWS members, Hiroki Uchi and Hironori Kusano were suspended from the group due to the incidents of under-aged drinking.[1] Which resulted in the current roster of six-members.[2][3]

NEWS name refers to the cardinal directions- north, east, west and south.

Members

Active members

* Tomohisa Yamashita (山下 智久, Yamashita Tomohisa?)

Born: April 9, 1985 (aged 23)

* Ryo Nishikido (錦戸 亮, Nishikido Ryō?)

Born: November 3, 1984 (aged 24)

* Keiichiro Koyama (小山 慶一郎, Koyama Keiichirō?)

Born: May 1, 1984 (aged 24)

* Takahisa Masuda (増田 貴久, Masuda Takahisa?)

Born: July 4, 1986 (aged 22)

* Shigeaki Kato (加藤 成亮, Katō Shigeaki?)

Born: July 11, 1987 (aged 21)

* Yuya Tegoshi (手越 祐也, Tegoshi Yuya?)

Born: November 11, 1987 (aged 21)

While there is no indication at present that they will be rejoining NEWS, Hiroki Uchi and Hironori Kusano performed at the 2007 Shonentai Playzone. Uchi and Kusano's graduation from their previous statues of trainees, were announced during the press conference of Isshun no Kaze ni Nare, a short drama in which Uchi made his come back as an actor. He has a major role in the spring 2008 weekly drama 'Osen'. [5][16] In addition it has been announced that Uchi will be having a solo concert.