‘Thank you for 26 years’: Arashi sings goodbye after final tour

The curtain has fallen on one of Japan’s most beloved pop acts, as the five-member idol group Arashi held the final performance of its 26-and-a-half-year career on May 31 at Tokyo Dome. The group consists of leader Satoshi Ono, 45; Masaki Aiba, 43; Jun Matsumoto, 42; Kazunari Ninomiya, 42; and Sho Sakurai, 44. In a statement, Ono thanked the fans: “Thank you very much for supporting us for 26 and a half years.” Sakurai added, “We members will be walking our own separate paths, but we would be happy if you continue to watch over us warmly.” The concert marked the definitive end for the group, which debuted in 1999 and became a cultural phenomenon. After announcing a hiatus at the end of 2020, members pursued solo activities before reuniting for the tour announced last May as a way to express their gratitude to fans. The farewell tour kicked off in March and spanned 15 performances across the country, drawing an estimated 490,000 fans. For its last show, the group performed a 33-song setlist that included its 1999 debut single “A・RA・SHI” and the latest release from March, “Five.”