News (band)

Infobox Musical artist
Name = NEWS


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Background = group_or_band
Birth_name =
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Origin = Tokyo Prefecture, Japan
Instrument =
Genre = J-pop
Occupation =
Years_active = 2003-present
Label = Johnny's Entertainment
Associated_acts = KAT-TUN
URL =
Current_members = Tomohisa Yamashita
Ryo Nishikido
Keiichiro Koyama
Takahisa Masuda
Shigeaki Kato
Yuya Tegoshi
Past_members = Moriuchi Takahiro
Hiroki Uchi
Hironori Kusano
Notable_instruments =

nihongo|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 they released a single as a nine-member group entitled nihongo|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 nihongo|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.citeweb | url=http://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/special/2007jya/KFullNormal20070101023.html |title="NEWS restarts activities" | publisher= Sponichi| accessdate = 2008-10-10 | language = Japanese | date=January 01, 2007] Which resulted in the current roster of six-members.

NEWS name refers to the cardinal directions- north, east, west and south.citeweb | url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/336858/ |title="NEWS Oricon page" | publisher= Oricon Style| accessdate = 2008-10-09 | language = Japanese]

History

2003 – 2004: Formation and debut

NEWS was formed in September 2003citeweb | url=http://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/special/2005jya/KFullNormal20061231052.html |title="NEWS started afresh" | publisher= Sponichi| accessdate = 2008-10-10 | language = Japanese |date=December 31, 2006] , the group was comprised with: Tomohisa Yamashita, Ryo Nishikido, Keiichiro Koyama, Shigeaki Kato, Takahisa Masuda, Yuya Tegoshi, Hironori Kusano, Hiroki Uchi and Takahiro Moriuchi. NEWS began their careers promoting the song NewS Nippon for the World Cup of Volleyball Championships, following in the footsteps fellow Johnny groups V6 and Arashi, both who debuted in the same way in 1995 and 1996 respectively. They performed their limited repertoire before matches and toured the country extensively following the championships. They even took a small trip to Taiwan to gain publicity. Despite the controversial beginning and having CD sales confined to 7/11 convenience stores, NewS Nippon was a wildly successful single and the decision was made to keep the unit. Before their first Christmas concert, Moriuchi left. The circumstances were unclear but it was said that he left to concentrate on his studies. NEWS did not release another single until May 2004.

They came out with Kibou~yell~, which was their official debut and it went straight to number one on the charts, as did the following single Akaku Moyuru Taiyo. NEWS was now an established unit.

2005–2006: Rise to popularity, scandals and hiatus

Following their success in the previous year, 2005 proved to be a fruitful year as NEWS released another two singles and their first album, "Touch". However, just when NEWS seemed to be one of the most popular groups in Japan, on July 16, 2005, member Hiroki Uchi got himself involved in a case of underaged drinking and was suspended by his agencycite book | last = Kaneko | first = Ken | coauthors = Junior Club | title = Yamashita Tomohisa Otakara Photo Book | publisher = R's Publishing Inc. | date = 2006 | isbn = 4-86204-025-X] [http://star.kilo.jp/i18.html 草野博紀 (くさの ひろのり)] "エンタニュース情報コミュニティ". jp icon] , leaving a seven member NEWS.
On January 31, 2006, Hironori Kusano of the group was accused of another incident of underaged drinking and became the second NEWS member to be suspended.cite book | last = Kaneko | first = Ken | coauthors = Junior Club | title = Yamashita Tomohisa Otakara Photo Book | publisher = R's Publishing Inc. | date = 2006 | isbn = 4-86204-025-X] [http://star.kilo.jp/i18.html 草野博紀 (くさの ひろのり)] "エンタニュース情報コミュニティ". jp icon] Releasing their 6th single on 15 March 2006, it was announced that NEWS was to be put on hiatus due to the temporary suspension of two of their members. NEWS held a 'NEWS Spring Tour 2006' before stopping their activities officially on 1 May 2006.cite book | last = Kaneko | first = Ken | coauthors = Junior Club | title = Yamashita Tomohisa Otakara Photo Book | publisher = R's Publishing Inc. | date = 2006 | isbn = 4-86204-025-X]
Members who were not related to the scandals were allowed to carry on with their solo activities, but no group activities would be carried on during this period until further notice.

2007-2008:NEWS' comeback

The return of NEWS was announced on December 30, 2006, but would continue as a six-member group as Hiroki Uchi and Hironori Kusano were demoted to the position of "trainees". [citeweb | url=http://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/special/2007jya/KFullNormal20070716055.html |title="Kusano and Uchi's rank" | publisher= Sponichi| accessdate = 2008-10-11 | language = Japanese | date=July 16, 2007] On January 1, 2007, NEWS had their first performance since the hiatus at the Johnny's Concert Countdown 2006-2007.. NEWS released their first single since the hiatus on March 7 2007, "nihongo|Hoshi wo Mezashite|星をめざして|lit. Aim For the Stars". It was used as the theme song for the Japanese version of Happy Feet, which starred Yuya Tegoshi, who voiced the main character Mumble. [cite video
people = Yuya Tegoshi (voice)
title = Happy Feet
medium = DVD
publisher = Warner Home Video
year2 = 2007] "Hoshi wo Mezashite" debuted at the number-one spot on both the daily and weekly Oricon charts. After the release of the single, a two month concert tour followed. NEWS released a DVD on August 8th, "Never Ending Wonderful Story", which features live performances of the tour and documentaries. [citeweb | url=http://www.yesasia.com/us/never-ending-wonderful-story-normal-edition-japan-version/1004907452-0-0-0-en/info.html |title="NEWS Never Ending Story DVD information" | publisher= Yes Asia| accessdate = 2008-10-11] NEWS was scheduled to hold a two day concert in Taipei from October 6 to the 7th. [citeweb | url=http://web.archive.org/web/20070621034515/http://www.sanspo.com/geino/top/gt200706/gt2007061805.html |title="NEWS confirm Taiwan concert" | publisher= Sankei Sports| accessdate = 2008-10-11 | language = Japanese | date=June 18, 2007] . Unfortunately an unexpected typhoon striking the Taiwanese capital on the concert's first day which resulted in the postponement of the concert. Instead, two performances were held on the second day. [citeweb | url=http://web.archive.org/web/20070621034515/http://www.sanspo.com/geino/top/gt200706/gt2007061805.html |title="NEWS Taiwan concert postpone" | publisher= Daily Sports Online| accessdate = 2008-10-11 | language = Japanese | date=October 07, 2007] [citeweb | url=http://web.archive.org/web/20070621034515/http://www.sanspo.com/geino/top/gt200706/gt2007061805.html |title="NEWS double performace" | publisher= Kikkan Sports| accessdate = 2008-10-11 | language = Japanese | date=October 08, 2007]

NEWS simultaneously released their seventh single and second album on November 7. Both releases debuted on the charts at the number-one position. The single was used to promote a Japanese clothing store Russ-K's winter collection. [citeweb | url=http://www.hmv.co.jp/product/detail/2634073 |title="Weeeek single information" | publisher= HMV| accessdate = 2008-10-11] "Weeeek" sold 263,000 copies and the album "Pacific" sold 196,000 copies. This was the tenth time in Oricon history an artist reached number-one on both the single and the album charts simultaneously. The last occurrence achieved by KAT-TUN in April 2006. Other artists include SMAP, KinKi Kids, Masaharu Fukuyama, Ayumi Hamasaki, WANDS, as well as Seiko Matsuda [citeweb | url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/confidence/49603/ |title="NEWS becomes eighth artist to peak at number one" | publisher= Oricon| accessdate = 2008-10-11| language = Japanese | date=November 13, 2007] .

To fruther support their album, NEWS went on their nation-wide tour NEWS CONCERT TOUR Pacific 2007-2008, from December 15th, 2007 to January 27th, 2008. As a special part of the tour, they performed for the first time as a group in Tokyo Dome [http://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/p-et-tp0-20080110-305248.html ＮＥＷＳ初の東京ドーム公演] "Nikkan Sports", 2008-01-10. Retrieved on 2008-01-16. jp icon] . The concert, which was held on 9th January 2008 and extravagantly involved the massive usage of 50 tonnes of water to entertain the fans, was due to overwhelming demand for tickets for their Pacific Tour that left near 300,000 fans without tickets. [http://www.tokyograph.com/news/id-2139]

On January 9, 2008, during the encore of the tour NEWS preformed their eighth single, nihongo|Taiyo no Namida|太陽のナミダ|Taiyō no Namida|lit. Tears of the Sun. The single was released on was later released on February 8, 2008 and was used as the theme song for the movie Kurosagi, starring Tomohisa Yamashita. On May 8, 2008 NEWS released their ninth single, Summer Time. The song was used to promote the clothing brand Russ-K. Both Taiyou no Namida and Summer Time peaked number-one on the charts, making NEWS the second group after KinKi Kids with the longest streak of consecutive number one singles since debuting. [http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/confidence/54528/full/ NEWSが光GENJI越え！デビュー以来9作連続で1位] "Oricon Style", 2008-05-13. Retrieved on 2008-05-17. jp icon]

NEWS released, NEWS CONCERT TOUR Pacific 2007-2008 -The First Tokyo Dome Concert- on August 13, 2008. They recently released their tenth single, Happy Birthday, on October 1, 2008 and will be releasing their third studio album titled 'color' on November 14. 2008. Also, it has been confirmed that NEWS will be having a nation-wide NEWS Winter Tour 2008-2009.

Members

Active members

*nihongo|Tomohisa Yamashita|山下 智久|Yamashita Tomohisa
*:Born: April 9, 1985 (aged 23)

*nihongo|Ryo Nishikido|錦戸 亮|Nishikido Ryō
*:Born: November 3, 1984 (aged 23)

*nihongo|Keiichiro Koyama|小山 慶一郎|Koyama Keiichirō
*:Born: May 1, 1984 (aged 24)

*nihongo|Takahisa Masuda |増田 貴久|Masuda Takahisa
*:Born: July 4, 1986 (aged 22)

*nihongo|Shigeaki Kato|加藤 成亮|Katō Shigeaki
*:Born: July 11, 1987 (aged 21)

*nihongo|Yuya Tegoshi|手越 祐也|Tegoshi Yuya
*:Born: November 11, 1987 (aged 20)

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 currently airing spring 2008 weekly drama 'Osen'. [http://star.kilo.jp/i18.html 草野博紀 (くさの ひろのり)] "エンタニュース情報コミュニティ". jp icon] [http://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/f-et-tp0-20070517-199833.html 内＆草野が少年隊舞台で再出発] "Nikkan Sports NEWS", 2007-05-17. Retrieved on 2007-10-08. jp icon]

Former members

*nihongo|Takahiro Moriuchi|森内 寛貴 |Moriuchi Takahiro
*:Born: April 17, 1988He is now the vocalist in the rock band ONE OK ROCK.

*nihongo|Hiroki Uchi|内　博貴|Uchi Hiroki
*:Born: September 10, 1986

*nihongo|Hironori Kusano|草野　博紀|Kusano Hironori
*:Born: February 15, 1988

Discography

tudio albums

* 2005: "touch"
* 2007: "pacific
* 2008: "color

DVDs

* NEWS Nippon 0304 April 7, 2004
* Summary of Johnny's World (with KAT-TUN and Ya-Ya-Yah) April 19, 2005
* Touch Limited Edition DVD April 27, 2005
* Hoshi wo Mezashite (星をめざして) Limited Edition DVD March 21, 2007
* Never Ending Wonderful Story DVD August 8, 2007
* NEWS CONCERT TOUR pacific 2007 2008 - THE FIRST TOKYO DOME CONCERT - August 13, 2008

Other activities

Note: Works such as dramas, movies and shows featuring the minority of NEWS is not listed here. Instead, please refer to the members' respective pages.

Concerts

*NEWSnowConcert Winter Concert 2004/2005
*NEWS East-to-West Spring Concert 2005
*Summary 2004 (with Junior groups including KAT-TUN and Ya-Ya-yah)
*Summary 2005 (with Junior group Ya-ya-yah)
*A Happy "NEWS" Year 2006 (January 1 – January 9, 2006)
*NEWS Spring Tour 2006 (March 25 – April 30, 2006)
*Spring Concert Tour 2007 (February 17 – April 15, 2007)
*NEWS First Concert 2007 in Taipei (October 6 – October 7, 2007) [http://web.archive.org/web/20070621034515/http://www.sanspo.com/geino/top/gt200706/gt2007061805.html News、１０月に台湾で初の海外公演! テゴマスが台北で発表] at Sankei Sports]
*NEWS Pacific Winter Tour 2007-2008
*NEWS Winter Concert 2008-2009 (October 25 - January 12)

Commercials

*TBC Aesthetic Salon (エステティックサロンTBC)
*Russ-K [http://www.sanspo.com/geino/top/gt200708/gt2007082302.html ヤマピー光栄! Newsがメンバー全員で結成以来初のCM出演] "Sankei Sports". jp icon]
*Lawson (ローソン) [http://www.lawson.co.jp/genki/index.html 元気になろーソン！｜ローソン] "Lawson". Retrieved on 2008-04-03. jp icon]
*KOSÉ [http://www.kose.co.jp/cosme/hbd/top.html]

References

External links

* [http://www.johnnys-net.jp/index.html Johnnys Net] jp icon
* [http://www.johnnys-entertainment.co.jp/top.html Johnny's Entertainment] jp icon
* [http://www.j-asia.net/ Johnny's Asia] zh iconko icon
* [http://www.nipponproject.com/en/article.php?article=7 Nippon Project - Exclusive interview with Tegomass] en icon