Johnny & Associates announced in August that SMAP would break up on December 31, after a career spanning over a quarter century.
The talent agency had said at the time that the five members would remain with Johnny & Associates going forward, but would focus on their solo careers starting this year.
Newspapers had reported in January 2016 that Nakai, Kusanagi, Inagaki, and Katori had been in talks to leave Johnny & Associates, with only Kimura staying with the agency.
A Johnny & Associates official said regarding the activities of the three former members after leaving the agency, “They are expected to make announcements as soon as the details are determined.”