Overseas reactions to SMAP turmoil

The news that the Japanese pop group SMAP will stay together has been widely reported outside Japan. South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency noted that the group’s possible breakup was far more than celebrity news, and it rocked Japanese society for a week. Taiwan’s Central News Agency reported that SMAP has avoided splitting up, and noted that fans across Asia had begged the group to stay together. Britain’s public broadcaster, the BBC, said the rumors that SMAP would break up had caused widespread concern in Japan. It said the members denied the rumors and apologized during a live broadcast. The BBC reported that many fans were relieved, but said others had criticized the group’s management for forcing the members to apologize in public. The New York Times reported that fans in Japan and elsewhere in Asia had been shocked by the rumors of a breakup. It said SMAP had apologized for...

January 20, 2016

The news that the Japanese pop group SMAP will stay together has been widely reported outside Japan.

South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency noted that the group’s possible breakup was far more than celebrity news, and it rocked Japanese society for a week.

Taiwan’s Central News Agency reported that SMAP has avoided splitting up, and noted that fans across Asia had begged the group to stay together.

Britain’s public broadcaster, the BBC, said the rumors that SMAP would break up had caused widespread concern in Japan. It said the members denied the rumors and apologized during a live broadcast.

The BBC reported that many fans were relieved, but said others had criticized the group’s management for forcing the members to apologize in public.

The New York Times reported that fans in Japan and elsewhere in Asia had been shocked by the rumors of a breakup.

It said SMAP had apologized for causing concern and sought their fans’ continuing support.