It might be surprising that the most important Social issue last one week for very many Japanese is a Japanese idol group SMAP. We had forgotten the terror in Jakarta for them. Even though we are now in mourning for David Bowie, we might shamefully have made noise for the idol group.
SMAP. This veteran idol group have leaded Japanese entertainment business for 25 years. It is said that they changed our idol business in Japan. Basically they are singers, but they tried to be sometomes comedians, sometomes actors and always multi-talented entertainers. And, their trial was successfully done.
The news of their breaking-up was suddenly broadcasted last week. We were surprised. And, we were surprised again when we knew the reason. It was because of the result of the battle in their company Johnnys, which is governed by 89-years-old president and vice president. The manager of SMAP tried to carry out a coup d'etat against the company, but failed. It made the old governers' anger. 4 of 5 members of SMAP had supported the manager, so they were planned to be fired.
In the situation, the news was broadcasted.
We might welcome the era of our full-open information society. The news and the result had been reported everyday during the last week, and, in the end, all members of SMAP dramatically appeared in a live relayed TV program and finished with their apologies and declaration of continuing the group.
Their funs, of course, welcome it. But, on the other hand, some people see their future is black. The 4 members are seen betrayed the company (actually so), thus they will lose their special position as a super idol. Certainly thet didn't die, but might continue to live deadly.
Again. SMAP is a veteran idol group. They have a strong power in Japanese entertainment business. However, some people think, even they cannot change the old people's governance.
I am not sure whether such an interpretation is right or not, and whether we are watching an ending or a starting of something. But, I can understand their feeling because I and they are in the same generation. We have the obligation to try to change a system even if there are a various type of trials. This time, they looked uncool. But, it's ok. They all are middle-age men. They don't have to be always cool. (To be always cool is the younger's job.)
I m looking forward to their next challenge.
