NEWS

NEWS (ニュース), is a six-member Japanese musical group consisting of Koyama Keiichiro, Nishikido Ryo, Yamashita Tomohisa, Masuda Takahisa, Kato Shigeaki and Tegoshi Yuya. The group's name is an acronym based on the cardinal directions (North, East, West, South) and the members locations.


Formed in September 2003, NEWS released a promotional single, "NEWS Nippon" (NEWS ニッポン), which was used as the theme song for the World Cup of Volleyball Championships. Before holding their first concert, NEWSnow Concert: NEWS' Concert (NEWSnowCONCERT〜ニュースのコンサート〜), Moriuchi Takahiro left the group. NEWS later released their debut single, "Kibō: Yell", which topped the Oricon chart. Their next two singles, "Akaku Moyuru Taiyō" (紅く燃ゆる太陽, Burning Red Sun) (2004) and Cherish (チェリッシュ, Cherisshu) (2005), both debuted atop the charts, as did NEWS' first album, Touch, which sold 164,016 copies in its first week.

In July 2005, Hiroki Uchi was scrutinized for underage drinking and was suspended indefinitely from both NEWS and Kanjani8, another group he was a part of. Despite having lost a member, NEWS released their fourth single, "Teppen" (てっぺん, Top), which like its predecessors debut at number-one. In January 2006, NEWS was reduced to six members when Hironori Kusano was suspended indefinitely for the same charge as Uchi. NEWS released their fifth single, "Sayaendō/Hadashi no Cinderella Boy" (サヤエンドウ/裸足のシンデレラボーイ, Peas/Barefoot Cinderella Boy) (March 2006), which was their fifth consecutive number-one single. On May 1, 2006, after NEWS finished their "NEWS Spring Tour", the group went on hiatus.


On December 30, 2006, it was announced that NEWS would make their return at Johnny's Concert Countdown 2006-2007 as a six-member group, since Hiroki Uchi and Hironori Kusano had been demoted to trainees. To mark their return, NEWS embarked on a tour and released their sixth single "Hoshi wo Mezashite" (星をめざして, Aim For the Stars). "Hoshi wo Mezashite" became their sixth number-one single, which went on to be used as the theme song for the Japanese version of Happy Feet.

On November 7, NEWS simultaneously released their seventh single, "Weeeek" and their second album, Pacific. Both releases debut a top of their respective charts with "Weeeek" selling 263,000 copies in its first week and Pacific selling 196,000 copies in their first week. This marked the tenth in Oricon history that an artist had both their single and album debut atop the charts simultaneously. To further support their album, NEWS went on a nationwide tour, NEWS Concert Tour Pacific 2007-2008, from December 15, 2007 to January 27, 2008. Because tickets were in such high demand, two more dates were added to the concert, which resulted in NEWS performing at the Tokyo Dome for the first time.

In February 2008 NEWS released their eighth number-one single, "Taiyou no Namida" (太陽のナミダ, Tears of the Sun), which was used as the theme song for the movie Kurosagi, starring Tomohisa Yamashita. NEWS released two more number-one singles, "Summer Time" (May 2008) and "Happy Birthday" (October 2008), before releasing their third studio album Color (November 2008). The release of "Happy Birthday" made NEWS the second group, after the KinKi Kids, to have ten consecutive number-one singles since their debut. Color debuted at the number-one position on the charts, giving NEWS their third consecutive album. NEWS released their new single, "Koi no ABO" (恋のABO, Love's ABO) on April 29, 2009. It became their 11th number-one single. Their 12th number-one single titled "Sakura Girl" was released on March 31, 2010. At the “LIVE! LIVE! LIVE! NEWS DOME PARTY 2010“ concert at Tokyo Dome, it was announced that NEWS would be releasing their 13th single, “Fighting Man,” on November 3, which they did.
NEWS has not had any group activities since the Music Station Super Live in December 2010.

On October 7, 2011, it was announced that both Nishikido Ryo and Yamashita Tomohisa left the group. The official press release from Johnnys & Associates explained that Nishikido was leaving because scheduling conflicts made it difficult for him to be active in both NEWS and Kanjani8, while Yamashita was leaving to concentrate on solo projects. Nishikido will continue his activities with Kanjani8 but not NEWS. NEWS will continue as a four-member group with Koyama Keiichiro, Masuda Takahisa, Kato Shigeaki and Tegoshi Yuya.


On April 15, 2012, a countdown appeared on the JE site, revealing the four current member's outlines, suggesting a comeback. NEWS is officially back. On Apr 16th, Johnny's special site for NEWS restarted its countdown, which hit "0:00:00" on Apr 18th (12mn, JST). The time coincide with NEWS' member Koyama Keiichiro radio program "K-chan NEWS" to start its broadcast. Koyama's special guest are co-members Yuya Tegoshi, Masuda Takahisa, and Kato Shigeaki. The four members kept the fans in suspense by talking nonsensical stuff before finally making an official announcement. As reported earlier, Koyama Keiichiro said something about a new single and Best of Album. Now, aside from the NEWS' new single and Best of Album, the Johnny's talents will also be having a concert tour.
Moreover, in order to show their love for the fans who have waited for them for more than a year, fans can participate in their Best of Album. Fans can vote for their "Top Four Favorite NEWS songs" on Johnny's Entertainment site starting Apr 18th at 12nn, JST.
On May 7, JE side has announced the new album titled "NEWS BEST" and will be released on June 13. The album will come in a regular edition and a limited edition version.
Both version will include a CD contain all 15 of the group's A-side singles. The regular edition will include an extra CD with the group's top 15 non-single songs as voted by netizens. The limited edition will include an extra CD with previously unreleased solo songs.
On July 18, NEWS released "Chankapana", their first single as a quartet. The single is available in 5 different version and a limited box set collection of all versions. The musicvideo for "Chankapana" premiered on TV on July 9. The single sold 121,097 on its first day and went on to become number one on Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.

Discography

Albums:

27.04.2005: Touch
1. Kibou ~Yell~ (希望 ~Yell~)
2. Kirameki no Kanata he (きらめきの彼方へ)
3. Akaku Moyuru Taiyou (紅く燃ゆる太陽)
4. I・ZA・NA・I・ZU・KI
5. LOVE SONG
6. Zutto (ずっと)
7. High TEN!
8. Koi Yake (恋焼け)
9. Shissou! Friday Night (疾走！Friday Night)
10. Say Hello
11. Cherish (チェリッシュ)
12. Yawarakana Mama de (柔らかなままで)
13. NEWS Nippon (NEWSニッポン)
14. Yume no Kazu Dake Ai ga Umareru (夢の数だけ愛が生まれる)
15. Stand Up
16. Cherish

07.11.2007: Pacific
1. Ai no Matador (愛のマタドール)
2. Sayaendou (サヤエンドウ)
3. TEPPEN
4. Change the World
5. Kimi Omou Yoru (君想フ夜)
6. Alibi (アリバイ)
7. code
8. Chirarizumu (チラリズム)
9. Ai Nante (愛なんて)
10. Nantoka Narusa (なんとかなるさ)
11. Gomen ne Juliet (ゴメンネ ジュリエット)
12. Hadashi no Cinderella Boy (裸足のシンデレラボーイ)
13. Hoshi wo Mezashite (星をめざして)
14. Mafuyu no Nagareboshi (真冬のナガレボシ)
15. Sono Egao Boku ni Misete (その笑顔 僕に見せて)

19.11.2008: Color
1. weeeek
2. STARDUST
3. SUMMER TIME
4. SNOW EXPRESS
5. Forever
6. MOLA
7. ケセナイ (Kesenai)
8. ordinary
9. みんながいる世界をひとつに愛をもっとGive ＆ Takeしましょう (Minna ga Iru Sekai wo Hitotsu ni Ai wo Motto GIVE & TAKE Shimashou)
10. ムラリスト (Murarisuto)
11. 太陽のナミダ (Taiyou no Namida)
12. Smile Maker
13. Happy Birthday
14. FLY AGAIN
15. 永遠色の恋 (Towairo no Koi)

15.09.2010: Live
1. Koi no ABO (恋のABO)
2. LIVE
3. Umareshi Kimi e (生まれし君へ)
4. Supernatural
5. Aki no Sora (秋の空)
6. Futari/130000000 no Kiseki (2人/130000000の奇跡)
7. Dancin' in the Secret
8. Wonderland (ワンダーランド)
9. Sakura Girl (さくらガール)
10. BE FUNKY!
11. D.T.F
12. Naiyou no Nai Tegami (内容の無い手紙)
13. Endless Summer (エンドレス・サマー)
14. Share
15. Forever（Unplugged Ver.）


Singles:
2003: NEWS Nippon (West version)
2003: NEWS Nippon (East version)
2004: Kibou ~Yell~
2004: Akaku Moyuru Taiyou
2005: Cherish
2005: TEPPEN
2006: Sayaendou / Hadashi no Cinderella Boy
2007: Hoshi wo Mezashite
2007: weeeek
2008: Taiyou no Namida
2008: SUMMER TIME
2008: Happy Birthday
2009: Koi no ABO
2010: Sakura Girl
2010: Fighting Man
2012: Chankapaana
2012: World Quest/Pokopon Pekourya


Compilations
13.06.2012: NEWS BEST


DVDs:
07.04.2004: News Nippon 0304
19.04.2005: Summary of Johnny's World
08.08.2007: Never Ending Wonderful Story
13.08.2008: NEWS Concert Tour Pacific 2007-2008 - The First Tokyo Dome Concert
04.11.2009: NEWS Live Diamond
22.12.2010: NEWS LIVE!LIVE!LIVE! DOME CONCERT 2010
30.01.2013: NEWS LIVE TOUR 2012 ~Utsukushii Koi ni Suruyo~