Many believed that they would put on their final performance at the NHK Year-End Song Festival (also known as the Kohaku Uta Gassen), but are expected to be disappointed with Shingo Katori’s declaration that the group will be giving the event a miss.
The group’s disbandment has been speculated to be related to disagreements with the higher management at label Johnny and Associates, along with friction between members Takuya Kimura and Shingo.
Recent reports have claimed that Shingo has refused to perform at the festival, declaring, “We can perform, but only if that person kneels down in front of me!” With reports of bad blood between Takuya and Shingo, many have believed that the person Shingo is referring to is Takuya.
SMAP has participated in the year-end festival 23 times, with many fans fervently hoping that they would be able to watch them take part for the 24th time this year on Dec 31, which is also the day the group will officially disband.