Japanese Group WEST. to End Activities on September 30
Listen to the story
The Japanese group WEST. will end its activities on September 30, according to an announcement by the talent agency STARTO.
The group has been active for about twelve and a half years since its debut.
In August, two members of the group, Fujii Ryusei and Kotaki Nozomu, announced that they plan to withdraw from the group.
STARTO manages WEST. and other performers. The agency shared the news about the group's ending in an official statement.
In the statement, the group thanked fans for their great support and warm encouragement over the years.
The full details of the announcement were shared publicly, though the specific reasons behind the members' decisions have not been widely explained.
WEST. has been one of the well-known groups under the agency, and news of its ending has drawn attention from fans in Japan.
The group's activities will officially conclude on September 30, marking the end of a career that has lasted over a decade.
Vocabulary10 words
- debut
- the first public appearance of a group
- withdraw
- to leave or stop being part of something
- statement
- an official message given to the public
- support
- help and encouragement from others
- encouragement
- words or actions that make someone feel confident
- conclude
- to come to an end
- agency
- a company that manages performers or artists
- performer
- someone who acts, sings, or dances for an audience
- official
- approved and made public by an organization
- decade
- a period of ten years
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Quiz
Answer key
1. About twelve and a half years 2. Fujii Ryusei and Kotaki Nozomu 3. True
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
The Japanese group WEST. will end its activities on September _____, according to an announcement by the talent agency STARTO.
The group has been active for about twelve and a half _____ since its debut.
In August, two _____ of the group, Fujii Ryusei and Kotaki Nozomu, announced that they plan to withdraw from the group.
STARTO manages WEST. and other _____. The agency shared the news about the group's ending in an official statement.
In the statement, the group thanked fans for their great support and warm _____ over the years.
The group's activities will officially _____ on September 30, marking the end of a career that has lasted over a decade.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think groups sometimes end their activities after many years?
- How might fans feel when a group they support decides to end?
- What responsibilities do talent agencies have when managing performers?
- Do you think it's common for members to leave a group before it officially ends?
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