SMAP faces disbandment after their manager Iijima resigned from Johnny’s Entertainment. She will leave next month. With this move, 4 members(Nakai Masahiro, Inagaki Goro, Kusanagi Tsuyoshi, and Shingo Katori) also indicated their intentions to leave, with Kimura Takuya being the only one staying. A disbandment seems unavoidable.
When contacted by Sponichi, Johnny’s lawyer said that the reports of Iijima resigning are generally correct.
The group is supposed to welcome their 25th anniversary this year.
Other than TOKIO’s Kokubun Taichi saying that he knows nothing and is simply shocked, i have no further updates. Follow my twitter for faster updates.
Update: Why is Kimura Takuya the sole member remaining in Johnny’s?
Update: Iijima’s coup d’etat fails, will the 4 members return to Johnny’s?
AllThingsJpop 
Is SMAP the most popular group that is signed to Johnny’s? Or is Arashi bigger now?
I think Arashi is bigger in terms of music sales, but SMAP is more influential in ratings and in the industry. For example, they’re always roped in for 24hr or 27hr TV and get A-lister guests for their variety shows. Well, both grps excel in different areas.