Tokio was a Japanese rock/pop band formed by Johnny & Associates that formed in 1989 and debuted in 1994. Originally signed with Sony Music Entertainment from 1994 to 2001, with Universal Music Japan from 2001 to 2008, and, from then until the end, signed under J Storm (later called "Storm Labels"). In addition to their activities as a band, the members of Tokio also acted in dozens of dramas and hosted variety programmes, both as a group and individually.

The group's name, "Tokio", is the old English romanization for Japan's capital Tokyo, and remains the current transliteration in several European languages. Unlike most other bands under Johnny & Associates, where all of the band members are usually only vocalists, Tokio had one main vocalist, a drummer, a guitarist, a bassist, and a keyboardist. Subsequently, less choreography was used in concerts and promotional videos, and their music is often more rock-centric.

History

1989–1993: Formation

Like the members of SMAP, the members of Tokio performed as background dancers for the idol group Hikaru Genji mainly in the form of the back-dancing group Heikeha, which also involved members of the band V6. In 1989, guitarist Shigeru Joshima and bassist Tatsuya Yamaguchi discovered they both played instruments in their own bands and decided to form their own, practicing in private and unknown to the company, calling themselves Joshima Band, or "Joh Band" for short. At one point, they also called themselves 'JURIA', combining their names using Joshima's "J", "URI" from the melon-shape of Yamaguchi's face, and rhythm-guitarist member Takehito Asakura's "A". Eventually, Johnny accepted them as a band, giving them the name "Tokio Band". At this point, members included Joshima, Yamaguchi, and new support member, rhythm guitarist Kazuhisa Watanabe.

In 1990, the original Tokio was formed when Joshima was put together with drummer Masahiro Matsuoka and keyboardist Taichi Kokubun, both of whom had also joined Joshima and Yamaguchi in a few of their practices in the past. Rhythm guitarist and vocalist Hiromu Kojima joined the group soon after this. During this time, Joshima underwent negotiations with Johnny Kitagawa himself into allowing Yamaguchi to join the band, and soon he became an official member as well. Tomoya Nagase, another Junior vocalist who had been making more and more headlines, began appearing with the newly formed Tokio on occasion as a support member, which created a bit of odd tension as the group appeared in magazines and on the radio with five members, but on TV and live performances with six members. One of their first live tours included one with the band SAY・S and included all six members.

1994–1999: Debut and onward

In 1994, just before the release of the band's debut single, "Love You Only", founding member Hiromu Kojima was succeeded by Nagase following Kojima's departure.

2005–2017: Established band

In February 2005, the tenth full-length album (not including compilation albums), Act II was released. They released the single "Ashita o Mezashite!" on December 7, 2005. Tomoya Nagase composed and co-arranged the single with his lyrics, making it their first single composed by a member of the group. In 2005, Tokio was selected to be the host for the Johnny's Countdown 2005-2006 concert, a yearly event that counts down to the New Year. In 2006, Tokio released the single "Sorafune", which sold over 400,000 copies and charted for over four months, making it their most successful single.

Their first release under the new label was the four-track single "Amagasa/Akireru Kurai Bokura wa Negaō" on September 3, 2008. "Amagasa" was composed by Ringo Shiina with her lyrics and was arranged by Tokyo Jihen. Tokio released another four-track single titled "Taiyō to Sabaku no Bara/Subeki Koto" on August 19, 2009. After releasing the single "Advance/Mata Asa ga Kuru" on February 3, 2010, they released the single "Haruka" on June 16, 2010. "Haruka" went on to become their first number-one since December 2007. On 11 August 2010, they released the single "NaNaNa (Taiyo Nante Irane)", written by Kōji Tamaki and arranged by Anzen Chitai. Next they released the single "Miageta Ryūsei", which was used as the theme song for Kōkōsei Restaurant, a drama starring Matsuoka. Ahead of the Plus tour, which ran from March to May 2011, Tokio released their first digital single, "Plus", on dwango.jp for a limited time.

On 22 August 2012, Tokio released their twelfth studio album titled 17, their first full-length album in six years. To support the album, the band embarked on the 1718 tour, which ran until September. Tokio's third compilation album, Heart, was released in July 2014. It included two new songs, "Heart" and "Kokoro", written by Nagase and Joshima. Heart went on to become the band's second number-one album.

2018–2025: Music hiatus

On 25 April 2018, news broke that Yamaguchi had been referred to prosecutors for allegedly kissing a girl against her will at his home in February 2018. On 6 May 2018, Johnny & Associates announced that they had terminated their contract with Yamaguchi. As a result of the scandal, Tokio indefinitely suspended all music activities.

In July 2020, Nagase announced that he was to leave the band to pursue his own endeavors. On 31 March 2021, he withdrew from Tokio and retired from the entertainment industry.

On 1 April 2021, the 3 remaining members established a new company called Tokio Co., Ltd., an affiliate to Johnny & Associates. Joshima was made the president of the company, while Kokubun and Matsuoka became the vice presidents. On 2 October 2023, it was informed that Joshima would become plenipotentiary president and CEO of the company, taking over the role held by Julie K. Fujishima. This was informed in the company's official site. Kokubun and Matsuoka remain as vice-presidents.

2025: Disbandment

Tokio announced the group's disbandment on June 25, 2025. In a statement on their website, the group apologized for Taichi Kokubun's violation of compliance, acknowledging the significant distress caused to everyone involved. They expressed deep regret and offered their sincerest apologies. The statement further explained that after internal discussions, the members concluded that continuing as TOKIO and regaining public trust was no longer feasible, leading to their decision to disband. They mentioned the fans and all people involved since their debut, thankful for the support since then; and, also, to the people of Fukushima and other areas, with whom they have been working, their gratitude and apologized for the sudden announcement. As for the future, they are considering individual ways in how to give back to those who have supported them until the end.

In December, Matsuoka gave an interview to Weekly Shincho regarding Kokubun, Nippon Television and "Tetsuwan Dash", and the future of Jojima, Kokubun and himself. Regarding Kokubun, he said that he has remotely called him, but that he also had him over at his place. Regarding NTV and Dash, he said that neither him nor Jojima had received any explanation from NTV (not counting the total lack of communication and explanation from NTV to Kokubun). Regarding the program, Matsuoka reflected on all the activities done on the show, some of which were done at the beginning, could be considered aggressive and even harmful by today's standards. Matsuoka mentioned the relationship with the network and all the people involved (sponsors, staff, and their juniors) that have been with them for close to 30 years. They are considering all that regarding continuing or not with the program. As for their future, Matsuoka mentioned that he would soon be 49, and Jojima, 55. STARTO asked them to stay, but they decided that in order to take on new challenges and broaden possibilities, they have considered to go independent. Regarding Kokubun's future, it is still undecided, but, Matsuoka mentioned that he (Matsuoka) opened a YouTube channel, and that he hoped that Kokubun would appear on it, or maybe be invited to Kokubun's if he ever opened one.

Band members

;Final lineup

  • – vocals, guitars, leader (1989–2025)
  • – drums, percussion, vocals (1990–2025)
  • – keyboards, piano, vocals (1990–2025)

;Former members

  • – bass guitar, vocals (1989–2018)
  • – lead vocals, guitars (1990–1994)
  • – lead vocals, guitars (1994–2021)

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

  • Tokio (1994)
  • Bad Boys Bound (1995)
  • Blowing (1996)
  • Wild & Mild (1997)
  • Graffiti (1998)
  • Yesterday & Today (2000)
  • 5 Ahead (2001)
  • Glider (2003)
  • Act II (2005)
  • Harvest (2006)
  • Sugar (2008)
  • 17 (2012)

Compilation albums

  • Best E.P Selection of Tokio (1996)
  • Best EP Selection of Tokio II (2004)
  • Heart (2014)

Appearances

Variety

Tokio has hosted variety programs such as (October 2012-September 2023), (1999–2008) (2008–2012), (which replaced Kakeru in October 2023, and ended its run due to the network's spring schedule reorganization, as reported on March 4, 2024), and . On June 20, 2025, on a press conference offered by Nippon Television's President Hiroyuki Fukuda, it was announced that Kokubun would step down his hosting duties on Dash due to "multiple compliance-related incidents in the past" not crime related, without explaining the details, because of privacy protection. Kokubun himself accepted the decision taken by the broadcaster, and apologized for the trouble caused. It was also informed that he would take an indefinite leave of absence. Compliance officers of the broadcaster have revealed that the case is about sexual harassment. Other stations are considering removing Kokubun from their programs. Some sponsors, such as Japanet Holdings, have started removing ads on which he appears.

Below is a list of individual performances:

  • – Taichi Kokubun (with regular guest Shigeru Joshima)
  • – Shigeru Joshima
  • – Shigeru Joshima
  • – Tatsuya Yamaguchi
  • R30 – Taichi Kokubun
  • – Taichi Kokubun
  • – Taichi Kokubun
  • – Taichi Kokubun
  • – Shigeru Joshima

Commercials

As of November 2013, Tokio is involved in a nationwide advertising campaign promoting rice from Fukushima Prefecture.

References

  • J-Storm TOKIO official website
  • Starto Ent. Tokio official website
  • Universal Music Japan official website
  • Sony Music Japan official site