WEST.

Overview

WEST. (formerly Johnny's WEST) was a Japanese boy band managed by STARTO ENTERTAINMENT, with ELOV-Label as its record label. The group debuted on April 23, 2014 with the single "Eejanaika" and renamed itself WEST. on October 18, 2023. Formed from Kansai Johnny's Jr. talent, it was the first Kansai-based group to debut in ten years, since Kanjani∞. The members are Daiki Shigeoka, Junta Nakama, Takahiro Hamada, Akito Kiriyama, Tomohiro Kamiyama, Ryusei Fujii and Nozomu Kotaki. The group ended its activities on September 30, 2026. Its fan name, chosen through a public call, was "Jasmine" (written "Jasmine." after the rename).

Career

Formation and debut

At the Johnny's Countdown Live at Tokyo Dome on December 31, 2013, four members, Junta Nakama, Akito Kiriyama, Daiki Shigeoka and Nozomu Kotaki, held up a handwritten sheet bearing the group name and announced their formation and CD debut, a decision made only 30 minutes before the performance. The name was initially "Johnny's WEST4" but was changed because it sounded awkward. It was the first debut for an agency group since Sexy Zone in 2011, and the first group name to carry "Johnny's" since the original Johnny's, chosen by Johnny Kitagawa at the members' strong request.

On February 5, 2014, during rehearsal for their first starring play "Naniwa Samurai Hello TOKYO!!" (Nissay Theatre, February 5-28), Takahiro Hamada, Tomohiro Kamiyama and Ryusei Fujii were announced as new members, making a seven-piece group. That day is regarded as the formation date. The original four had persuaded Johnny Kitagawa to let the three join, with Shigeoka at the center of the plea. The debut song was chosen by fan vote and became "Eejanaika."

2014-2016

On April 20, 2014 the group held a debut press conference at Abeno Harukas and performed on a heliport 300 meters above ground; they were also named Konamon Ambassadors of the Nippon Konamon Association. They debuted on April 23 with "Eejanaika," followed by commemorative performances at Osaka Shochikuza and Tokyo's Shinbashi Enbujo. The 1st album "go WEST Yoi Don!" arrived on August 6 and the 2nd single "Zipang Okini Daisakusen / Yume wo Dakishimete" on October 8. They also staged the play "Typhoon n Dreamer" and won New Artist of the Year (Japanese music) and Best 5 New Artists at the Japan Gold Disc Awards.

In 2015 they held their 1st concert "Ippatsumeeeeeee!" (Yokohama Arena, Osaka-jo Hall), released "Zundoko Paradise" (February), the mini album "Paripipo" (April), toured with "Paripipo" (May-June), and released "Bari Hapi" (July) and the 2nd album "Luckyyyyyyy7" (December). In 2016 came "Gyakuten Winner" (April) and "Jinsei wa Subarashii" (July), the launch of the official fan club in July, the 3rd album "Nowest" (November 30), and their first solo dome shows at Kyocera Dome Osaka on December 24-25. The Twitter character created to promote "Nowest" was later named "Yatsu" and became the group's official mascot.

2017-2020

In 2017 the group starred in Johnny's first streaming drama, "Honoo no Tenkosei," which premiered on Netflix in November, and released the singles "Osaka Ai Eye Ai / Ya! Hot! Hot!" (June) and "Bokura Kyo mo Ikiteiru / Kangaeruna, Moero!!" (November). In 2018 they released the 4th album "WESTival" (January), a 9th single (March), "Start Dash!" (August) and the 5th album "WESTV!" (December). In 2019 they released an 11th single (January) and "Ame no Chi Hare" (April), moved on June 1 to J Storm's "Johnny's Entertainment Record" label, became special supporters of the FIVB Volleyball World Cup 2019, and released "Big Shot!!" in October. The 6th album "W trouble" followed on March 18, 2020.

Name change

On September 29, 2023, Junta Nakama revealed on TV that, in light of the Johnny Kitagawa sexual abuse scandal, the members had agreed to change the group's name. On October 18 they announced "WEST." in a YouTube livestream. The name was based on fans' wishes to keep "WEST," and the period declares that they are people of the west (Kansai), a small dot filled with infinite possibilities.

2023 onward

Releases include "POWER (2025)" (March 2023), "Shiawase no Hana" (June 2023), "Zettai Zetsumei / Beautiful / AS ONE" (October 2023) and "AWARD" (March 2024). In April 2024 they performed "Eejanaika" and "Heart" on THE FIRST TAKE and released "Heart / FATE." "Maa Ikka!" followed in September 2024, then the live release "WEST. DOME TOUR AWARD 10th Anniversary" (December 2024), "A.H.O. -Audio Hang Out-" (March 2025) and "Wessai Soul! / BIG LOVE SONG" (May 2025). In October 2025 came "From SUMMER SONIC 2024 (LIVE)," "WEST. 10th Anniversary Live 'W' -Film edition-" and "From METROCK 2024 (LIVE)," and on January 19, 2026 the single "Aishu."

Departures and end of activities

The group played SUMMER SONIC 2026 in Tokyo and Osaka on August 14-15, effectively its last live shows. On August 30, 2026, Ryusei Fujii and Nozomu Kotaki's departures were announced, and on September 24 the group announced it would end activities at the end of the month. The fan club also closed at the end of September, and the members remain with STARTO ENTERTAINMENT. With the final episode of its show on October 26, all group activities concluded.

Musical style and activities

WEST. performed J-POP and was active across concerts, stage plays, variety shows, dramas and radio. Their bright, approachable Kansai identity was central to the group's image and is reflected in the name itself.