NEWS (or NewS, as the spelling originally went) was formed in September 2003. The formation of the nine member group caused much controversy for splitting up popular Junior units in Johnny's Entertainment and propelling unknowns to the top ahead of established favorites. Yamashita Tomohisa, the group leader (and the most famous at their formation) recently said in an interview that he was not happy at the way NEWS started and only felt comfortable within the group in early 2006. The group began with the following members: Yamashita Tomohisa (ex 4TOPs), Koyama Keiichiro, Kato Shigeaki, Kusano Hironori (ex KKKity), Uchi Hiroki, Nishikido Ryo (ex Kansai Jnr), Masuda Takahisa (ex Kis-My-Ft), Moriuchi Takahiro and Tegoshi Yuya.
NEWS began their careers promoting the song NewS Nippon for the Women's Volleyball Championships, following in the footsteps of Arashi and V6. 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. In mid to late 2004, Kanjani8 - the other group Uchi Hiroki and Nishikido Ryo were members of - had their debut, leading to fan speculation that NEWS might further break down and fears that the boys might burn out. NEWS continued on with all eight members though and showcased their success with the Christmas 'NewSnow' concerts. The members individually found fame as well in drama and TV appearances.
2005 began well for NEWS: Cherish, Teppen and Touch, their first album, all performed well in the charts. However, on July 15 the first spot of trouble hit. Uchi Hiroki was found acting 'drunk and disorderly' in a park in Sendai and was suspended from the band. The remaining seven members publicly apologized for Uchi's actions but the incident left a shadow over the release of Teppen. The other members worked hard to maintain a good profile, particularly Yamashita Tomohisa while working on 'Nobuta wo Produce' and Nishikido Ryo in '1 Litre of Tears'.
Just prior to the release of Sayaendou in 2006, the gossip magazine Friday released images of Kusano Hironori in a karaoke box that allegedly showed him drinking. Although Kusano claimed it was false, he agreed to be suspended. In light of the two suspensions, Johnny's Entertainment decided to suspend the whole group for the remainder of 2006. Both the Sayaendou CD covers and the calender were hastily re-shot and the Sayaendou PV became an entirely animated affair, showing scenes from the anime One Piece.
However, the members continued with their solo activities. Yamashita Tomohisa was busy with the drama 'Kurosagi' and his solo career, Nishikido Ryo concentrated on his other band Kanjani8, Koyama Keiichiro made some drama appearances and presented for 'Shounen Club' and Tegoshi Yuya and Masuda Takahisa formed their own unit Tegomassu. Few fans were optimistic about their return, but in December a new Sayaendou PV was shown on television, featuring the members this time. Then on New Year's Eve, NEWS made a welcome comeback at the annual 'Countdown' concert. Their new single Hoshi wo mezashite hit the Oricon charts at number one in March and became their second most successful single, and a DVD, Never Ending Wonderful Story, which contained footage of their comeback tour, was released in August. NEWS was slowly but steadily making their way back.
2007 was rounded off with the release of weeeek and a very exciting announcement; a year after re-appearing on the Japanese music scene the six boys were to hold their first concert at Tokyo Dome. The two Tokyo Dome dates concluded the "Pacific" tour, with the final 10 January day being filmed for a DVD that was later released in mid 2008. The 9 January Tokyo Dome appearance was also the setting for press conference, conducted mid-concert to announce the new NEWS song, Taiyou no namida, which was to accompany the release of Yamashita Tomohisa's big screen debut in Kurosagi.
After the springtime release the group concentrated on more dramas, and their continuing campaign with the clothing brand, Russ-K, that tied into the following single, Summertime. NEWS went quiet after Summertime, concentrating on dramas (Yamashita in Code Blue, Nishikido in Last Friends and Kato in Hokaben) and solo staged performances. Koyama Keiichiro's was linked to his drama, Loss Time Life, while Kato Shigeaki's was called "Konnan yatte mimashita". They continued like this until Happy Birthday in October, a single that was written by fellow Jpop artist, SEAMO. Hot on the heels of the single came the third album, Color, which, like all releases before it hit the number one Oricon spot.
After a successful year, 2008 ended with a real bang. More members held television roles, while Koyama's second "butai" stage performance, "Call" was announced. More importantly though, NEWS were again given the chance to play at Tokyo Dome for their latest tour, NEWS Winter Party DIAMOND. This time they played three dates at Tokyo Dome, but over the New Year period, they replaced KinKi Kids fof the pre-Johnny's Countdown concert.
Over the next two years, Yamashita Tomohisa and Nishikido Ryo, among other members remained very busy with several dramas, and NEWS's tour schedule has been minimal due to this activity. In both years, the band's release schedule schedule was spaced throughout the year, only releasing Koi no ABO and a live DVD in 2009, but picked up in 2010 with two singles and an album. In September, NEWS began the ten day LIVE! LIVE! LIVE! NEWS DOME PARTY 2010 and made frequent television performances over the fall.
Being one member short in the start of 2011, NEWS does not have any current plans for the new year, but fans can be sure that the silence from this energetic group will only be temporary.
