If You Know "Digisoso," Come On In... National Idol Group Arashi Ends 26-Year Run [Sunday Culture]

Debuted in 1999... Final Concert Held at Tokyo Dome
Some Fans Arrested for Sneaking In to Watch the Concert

These days, when people think of idols, K-POP groups are undoubtedly the mainstream. However, back in my school days, there was a brief J-POP boom. It was a time when various Japanese artists like X Japan, KinKi Kids, and Arashi were being introduced in Korea. The phrase "Digisoso," a playful mispronunciation of the intro lyrics of Arashi's debut song "A·RA·SHI," was a line that all J-POP fans tried to imitate at least once.

That very group, Arashi, held their final concert at Tokyo Dome on the 31st of last month, marking the end of their activities after 26 years and six months. The news of the national idol group's disbandment was prominently featured as a main story across Japanese media. Various episodes related to their disbandment also occurred throughout Japan. This week, we bring you the different reactions from Japan regarding the end of Arashi's group activities.

Japanese five-member group 'Arashi'. Arashi Facebook.

Debuted in 1999... Now All Members Are in Their 40s

Arashi debuted in 1999. They were a five-member male group launched by the former Johnny & Associates (now Starto Entertainment), Japan's largest entertainment agency at the time. The group consists of leader Satoshi Ohno, Sho Sakurai, Kazunari Ninomiya, Masaki Aiba, and Jun Matsumoto. "Arashi" means "storm" in Japanese, and founder Johnny Kitagawa named them with the hope of creating a storm around the world. Their debut single sold 557,000 copies in its first week alone, showing their immense popularity.

Arashi during their visit to Korea in 2008. The Asia Business Daily DB.

After gaining recognition as idols, the members each started individual careers as news anchors, actors, and entertainers. As all the members entered their 40s, some even announced their marriages. Following leader Ohno's wish to "work freely from now on," the group went on hiatus in 2020. Last year, they announced plans to conclude their activities after one final tour. Starting in March this year, they held concerts in five cities across Japan, drawing about 490,000 fans. Their journey ended with the Tokyo Dome concert on the 31st of last month.

Arrests for Sneaking into the Concert... Various Episodes Unfold

On the day of the final concert in Tokyo, unusual events unfolded. Three individuals were arrested by police for sneaking into the Tokyo Dome disguised as workers to see the concert without permission. They did not know each other and each planned their attempt separately. A man in his 70s, who had been selling idol merchandise for profit, wore a helmet and carried a ladder to enter through the staff entrance—his plan was to film the concert, edit the footage, and sell it.

Two other men in their 20s were caught trying to enter the venue using fake access passes. According to police statements, they said, "We are fans and wanted to see the final concert."

Even outside Tokyo Dome, there were gestures to send the group off. At JR Suidobashi Station, the nearest station to Tokyo Dome, a station employee used Arashi’s song titles to announce, "After the concert, Monster-level congestion is expected. We hope everyone has a Happiness-filled time." This video spread on social media, drawing praise for the station employee’s wit.

There was also a branch of coffee chain Doutor that received attention for specially printing receipts with the message "We are Arashi," expressing gratitude for the group’s 26 years of activity.

Arashi concert held at Tokyo Dome in Japan on the 31st of last month. Arashi Facebook.

There is a reason why the entire country was abuzz over Arashi’s retirement. Over more than 20 years of activity, the group released numerous songs. If you don't know their music, it’s difficult to fully understand Japanese seasonal customs. "Sakura Sake" ("Let Cherry Blossoms Bloom"), released by Arashi, is still considered a song of encouragement for Japanese students preparing for entrance exams.

In Japan, news of university acceptance is often described as "the cherry blossoms have bloomed." This expression originated from the days when students living in rural areas could not easily travel to Tokyo to check their university admission results, so someone would go in their place and convey the news by phone, saying, "the cherry blossoms have bloomed." This tradition is said to have started in connection with Waseda University. This cultural background made the song a standard cheer song for entrance exams.

Another song, "One Love," is famous for the lyrics, "I will pledge my love even after 100 years," and is still often used as a wedding congratulatory song or background music at Japanese weddings. Other examples include "Natsuhayate," which was the theme song for the Koshien High School Baseball Tournament, and "Happiness," a song frequently used in school sports day and festival videos. For many Japanese, Arashi is more than just an idol group—they are a presence that has been part of memories from school days to marriage.

Arashi performing at Tokyo Dome on the 31st of last month. Photo by Arashi Facebook.

Their agency, Johnny & Associates, also underwent major restructuring after it was revealed that the founder had committed sexual abuse against trainees. This incident exposed structural issues in the Japanese entertainment industry and is now a matter of public record.

For over 20 years, Arashi represented Japanese pop culture. Japanese news coverage included many scenes of fans crying over the group’s disbandment. Perhaps everyone feels the same way.

Seeing the artists I used to listen to on my MP3 player in school wrapping up their careers one by one makes me realize just how much time has passed. It feels like it's not just the end of a group, but the confirmation that a certain chapter of my own life has also come to a close. Although the final concert is over, it seems likely that Arashi’s music and memories will live on among the Japanese people for a long time to come.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.