This provided photo shows members of J-pop idol group V6 raising their hands during their final concert on Nov. 1, 2021.

       TOKYO -- Popular J-pop idol group V6 disbanded on Nov. 1, with its six members giving the final performance of their "LIVE TOUR V6 groove" tour at the Makuhari Messe convention center in the city of Chiba on the same night. It was a chance for many fans to bid farewell to the band, which debuted 26 years ago under talent agency Johnny & Associates Inc.

       The show opened with "Ame" from V6's latest album "STEP." The crowd was lifted by the band's debut song "MUSIC FOR THE PEOPLE," and the concert ended with a medley of their most popular hits including "Wa ni Natte Odorou" and "Ai Nanda."

       V6 debuted on Nov. 1, 1995. Its members are Masayuki Sakamoto, 50, Hiroshi Nagano, 49, Yoshihiko Inohara, 45, Go Morita, 42, Ken Miyake, 42, and Junichi Okada, 40. They shot to fame via appearances on the variety show "Gakko e Iko!" and other programs. In recent years, each member has expanded their activities with appearances in movies and dramas, hosting TV shows and performing in theaters.

       This provided photo shows members of J-pop idol group V6 performing in their final concert on Nov. 1, 2021.

       From the stage, Inohara spoke on the band's behalf. He smiled and said, "I'd thought that every time we finish a song I would be reminded that the six of us won't be performing together anymore, but actually we just had a really fun time." Rounds of applause filled the venue.

       Go Morita, who has decided to leave Johnny & Associates, said to fans: "I'm really fortunate to have met (as one of) the six members, and you all. I will leave (the agency) tomorrow, but I don't think I've made a wrong decision, so I want to believe in myself and I want you to believe in the six of us. I think we will be able to show you a different kind of view."

       This provided photo shows members of J-pop idol group V6 performing in their final concert on Nov. 1, 2021.

       V6's disbanding was announced in March. It came after Morita suggested he would like to try performing as an actor in an environment apart from Johnny & Associates, and the members decided that V6 couldn't exist without the six members. The other five plan to continue working individually under the talent agency.

       (Japanese original by Haruka Ito, Cultural News Department)

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