Arashi

Arashi is a Japanese boy band formed in 1999 under the talent agency Johnny & Associates. The group consists of Satoshi Ohno, Sho Sakurai, Masaki Aiba, Kazunari Ninomiya, and Jun Matsumoto. They debuted in 1999 with the single A-RA-SHI and quickly rose to prominence in Japan and across Asia, becoming one of the best-selling and most influential pop groups of the era. Over the years they released a string of successful singles and albums, including Love So Sweet, Happiness, and the group’s 20th-anniversary project This Is Arashi.

In addition to music, Arashi maintained a substantial presence on Japanese television, hosting and appearing on various programs such as the variety show VS Arashi and Arashi ni Shiyagare, as well as acting in dramas and films and appearing in commercials. Their multi-faceted media presence helped broaden their audience beyond dedicated fans and contributed to the broader popularity of the idol-pop model in Japan.

In 2019 the group announced that they would pause all group activities after 2020 to focus on individual projects. They have since remained on hiatus, with members pursuing acting, hosting, and other entertainment-industry work. While no formal disbandment has been announced, Arashi’s activities as a group have been limited since the hiatus began, and their influence continues to be recognized in Japanese pop culture through their recordings and media work.