Two remaining single members of Japanese boy band WEST. announce departures

Ryusei Fujii and Nozomu Kotaki, described as the only two single members of the Japanese boy band WEST., have announced that they will leave the group together.

The pair’s decision drew attention because other WEST. members have announced marriages in recent years. Daiki Shigeoka, Akito Kiriyama, Tomohiro Kamiyama and Takahiro Hamada are married, while Junta Nakama has been reported to have a girlfriend.

The agency said Fujii and Kotaki expressed a desire to leave WEST. and pursue activities in a new form while the group discussed its future. After speaking with the other members, the company said it decided to respect and accept their decision.

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While discussing WEST.’s future activities, Fujii and Kotaki expressed their desire to leave WEST. and pursue activities in a new form. After discussing it with the members, we decided to respect their wishes and accept their decision.

The agency added that it would continue working with both performers and was discussing future arrangements with the remaining five members. It did not give a precise departure date.

WEST. also will not appear as a seven-member group at KAMIGATA EXPO PARK FES 2026. The company apologized to fans and other people connected with the group and said it would provide information about ticket refunds later.

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We sincerely apologize to everyone who has supported WEST. as a seven-member group, as well as to everyone involved.