Travis Japan

Overview

Travis Japan is a seven-member Japanese boy band managed by STARTO ENTERTAINMENT. Often nicknamed "Torja" or TJ, the group is led by Kaito Miyachika. Their name pays tribute to American choreographer Travis Payne, who helped shape the group at its 2012 formation. They made their worldwide major debut on October 28, 2022 with "JUST DANCE!" and won New Artist of the Year (Japanese music) at the 38th Japan Gold Disc Awards in 2024.

Career History

2012–2017: Formation and member changes

In February 2012, Yoshizawa, Nakamura, Abe, Miyachika, Kajiyama and a few other Johnny's Jr. were called into a rehearsal room while attending a play, where they met Travis Payne and received lessons. Nakada, Kawashima, Morita and Shimekake, then active as JR.A and later known as the "older brothers", were also present. Travis Japan was first formed with the five "younger brothers", but the nine were soon announced to appear together in Playzone'12 Song & Danc'n. Partii. in July 2012. At first the group existed only for Playzone, which ended in January 2015 after the Aoyama Theater closed. In July 2015 they were chosen as backup dancers for Masahiko Kondo's 35th anniversary tour, and Jun Matsumoto personally requested them as dancers, leading to work with Arashi and Tackey & Tsubasa. In May 2016, they considered performing as two separate subgroups at Johnny's Ginza 2016 but chose to appear as nine, their first full-group solo show, and the company's president praised their unified dancing. Soon after, Abe told the members he wanted to leave. During JOHNNYS' ALL STARS IsLAND, which ran until January 2017, Nakada also announced his wish to chase his dream. Morita and Kajiyama later departed, leaving five members. After discussions with staff, the group decided to expand; on Nakamura's suggestion they invited Genta Matsuda and Kaito Matsukura, who had worked as backup dancers for Sexy Zone and in Endless SHOCK, and both accepted. They appeared as seven on November 18, 2017, and the two officially joined on November 19, forming the current lineup.

2018–2021: Pre-debut activities

In March 2018 the group began a regular blog on Johnny's web and member colors were set. On August 8, 2019 they announced an official Instagram account. On October 14 and 15, 2019, they joined the Austin Mahone Japan Tour 2019 at Yokohama Arena as special guests, the first Johnny's act to perform with an overseas artist. From 2019 they starred in the NINJAPAN stage series, which sold out every performance for three consecutive years. In August 2020, at Summer Paradise 2020, each member held a solo concert, a first for Johnny's Jr., and on December 31, 2020 they performed at Arashi's last concert before hiatus. On August 25, 2021 they launched the YouTube channel "+81 DANCE STUDIO", the first for a Johnny's Jr. group, offering new dance versions of classic Johnny's songs, beginning with Arashi's "Love So Sweet". On December 30, 2021, at the Johnny's Festival, they were the only Jr. group to perform, as backup dancers for KinKi Kids at Jun Matsumoto's invitation.

2022–present: Study abroad and major debut

On March 3, 2022, the group announced via Instagram Live that they would study indefinitely in Los Angeles. On March 28 they placed third in the team category at the World of Dance Championship Series – Orange County 2022, also winning Best Costume and Crowd Favorite. They auditioned for America's Got Talent (season 17) on July 13 and advanced to the live-show semifinals in August. Yoshizawa took a temporary hiatus from July 19 and returned after August 13. On September 29, 2022 they signed with Capitol Records, a subsidiary of Universal Music, and on October 28 made Johnny's first worldwide major debut, a streaming debut. Producer Hideaki Takizawa described it as a debut that "builds up step by step". "JUST DANCE!" became the first debut song by a Japanese act to reach No. 5 on Billboard Global Excl. U.S. In October 2023 they announced their first album, Road to A (released December 20), and a tour. The Travis Japan Concert Tour 2024 Road to Authenticity ran from January 2024 across eight venues and 29 shows, drawing about 310,000 people, followed by their first world tour, Travis Japan World Tour 2024 Road to A, covering six cities from September 3. On January 22, 2024 they returned to America's Got Talent's Fantasy League, performing "Just Dance" and receiving praise from all the judges, especially coach Mel B, though they did not advance past the qualifying round. On December 2, 2024, Kawashima announced a break from activities due to poor health, and the group continued as six. That December they topped the 2024 TV appearance ranking in the Breakthrough Talent category with 434 appearances. His return was announced on May 17, 2025, and he came back on stage on June 7 at the Travis Japan Concert Tour 2025 VIIsual show at LaLa Arena Tokyo-Bay.

Selected releases

Single "LEVEL UP" (December 2023); album Road to A (December 20, 2023; Global Edition February 2024); "T.G.I. Friday Night" and its Japanese version (March 2024); "Sweetest Tune" (June 2024); "Crazy Crazy / Fly Higher" (October 2024); album VIIsual and its Global Edition (December 2024); "Say I do" and "Tokyo Crazy Night" (March 2025); "Would You Like One?" (April 2025); "Disco Baby" (October 2025); "Tokyo Crazy Night (Completed ver.)" (November 2025); and album 's travelers (November 30, 2025).

Awards

anan AWARD 2022 Challenge category; 38th Japan Gold Disc Award New Artist of the Year (Japanese music) and THE ONES TO WATCH 2024, both in 2024.

Musical Style

Dance performance is the group's core strength. Training in Los Angeles with local choreographers and vocal coaches shaped a globally oriented approach, reflected in world tours, Global Edition releases and appearances on both Japanese and American stages.