Why did Junretsu's Yujiro Shirakawa leave the group? We'll explain the reasons and the new member audition process.

Yujiro Shirakawa, the lead vocalist of Junretsu, will be leaving the group at the end of March 2027 after approximately 20 years with the group. This decision was prompted by the passing of his mother, and Junretsu has also launched auditions for new members. This article summarizes the reasons for his departure, the group's future structure, and details of the new member recruitment.

Why did Junretsu's Yujiro Shirakawa leave the group? We'll explain the reasons and the new member audition process.

table of contents

1. Yujiro Shirakawa's Graduation Announcement | Key Points to Remember
2. The reason why Yujiro Shirakawa is leaving Junretsu
3. Who is Yujiro Shirakawa? (Profile)
4. The members of Junretsu and their journey since the group's formation
5. After Yujiro Shirakawa's graduation | Junretsu's new lineup
6. Details of the Junretsu New Member Audition
7. Comments from the members
8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Yujiro Shirakawa's Graduation Announcement | Key Points to Remember

Who: Yujiro Shirakawa (49 years old), lead vocalist of Junretsu

• When: Graduation will be on March 31, 2027
• Reason: My mother passed away in October 2025, and my passion for continuing my activities has diminished.
• Announcement date: June 8, 2026, at a press conference in Tokyo.
• Subsequently, Junretsu became a two-member group consisting of Kazuyoshi Sakai and Shota Gogo, and held auditions for new members.

Yujiro Shirakawa will be leaving Junretsu after approximately 20 years, but he will remain affiliated with his agency and has indicated his intention to prioritize spending time with himself and his family.

2. Reasons why Yujiro Shirakawa is leaving Junretsu

At the press conference, Yujiro Shirakawa cited the death of his beloved mother in October 2025 as the biggest reason for his departure. He candidly stated, "I feel that I have lost more motivation and passion to continue with Junretsu than the other members."

She explained that she decided to graduate because she felt it would be unfair to the agency staff, members, and fans who had supported her if she continued her activities with half-hearted feelings. She also revealed that she had been telling those around her about her intention to graduate for about five years.

Yujiro Shirakawa described his time with Junretsu as his "youth," and reflected, "I spent more time with them than with my family," and "I was able to experience all sorts of things, from laughing to crying."

3. Who is Yujiro Shirakawa? (Profile)

Yujiro Shirakawa joined the Asahiyama stable in professional sumo wrestling after graduating from high school, but retired after about a year due to injury. He then made his acting debut in 2002 as Ikkou Kasumi/KabutoRaiger in the tokusatsu drama "Ninpu Sentai Hurricaneger".

He has built a solid acting career, appearing in NHK Taiga dramas such as "Kōmyō ga Tsuji" (2006, as Hirano Nagayasu) and "Tenchijin" (2009, as Nakajō Kagetai), and has also been active for a long time as the main vocalist of Junretsu.

4. The members of Junretsu and their journey since their formation

Junretsu is a vocal group formed in 2007, mainly consisting of former actors who played superhero characters in sentai series. They made their major debut on June 23, 2010, with the single "Namida no Ginza Line".

Initially a six-member group, the lineup has changed over time due to members graduating or leaving. The changes in Junretsu's members are as follows:

They continued their steady activities, mainly centered around super sento (large public bathhouses), and in 2018 made their first appearance on NHK's "Kohaku Uta Gassen" (Red and White Song Contest). Since then, they have appeared for eight consecutive years.

5. After Yujiro Shirakawa's Graduation | Junretsu's New System

Following Yujiro Shirakawa's departure, Junretsu will continue as a duo with leader Kazuyoshi Sakai and Shota Gogo. The group has indicated its intention to strengthen its structure by adding new members.

Their long-term goals include continuing their consecutive appearances on Kohaku Uta Gassen, as well as holding a concert at Osaka-jo Hall in 2027 and a second concert at Nippon Budokan in 2028. They intend to continue their activities even after Yujiro Shirakawa's departure.

6. Details of the Junretsu New Member Audition

On June 8, 2026, the same day as the graduation announcement, Junretsu announced the holding of the "Junretsu Second Chance Audition 2026." In addition to recruiting new members for Junretsu, they will also be recruiting members for their next new group at the same time.

This audition carries on the spirit of "Second Chance," produced by Kazuyoshi Sakai. In the previous audition, the four-member group Monaki was formed from approximately 1000 applicants and made their major debut in the spring of 2026.

7. Comments from the members

At the press conference, comments were also received from members who had worked together with the group. Leader Kazuyoshi Sakai offered words of encouragement to Yujiro Shirakawa, telling him to "recharge his batteries," while Shota Gogo spoke of their long-standing bond, saying they were "members who have been working together for a long time."

Furthermore, Kazuyoshi Sakai described the group's concept, which connects Monaki to Junretsu and beyond, as "like a fish that changes its name as it grows," and showed a welcoming attitude towards former members as well.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. When will Yujiro Shirakawa graduate from Junretsu?
A. I will be graduating from Junretsu on March 31, 2027. The announcement was made on June 8, 2026.
Q2. What is the reason for Yujiro Shirakawa's graduation?
A. She explained that her passion for continuing her activities waned after her mother passed away in October 2025. She had apparently expressed her intention to graduate about five years ago.
Q3. After Yujiro Shirakawa graduates, how many members will Junretsu have?
A. The group will consist of two members, Kazuyoshi Sakai and Shota Gogo. We will also be holding auditions for new members to further strengthen the group.
Q4. Can anyone apply for the Junretsu new member audition?
A. Males are welcome to apply regardless of genre, age, nationality, or format. The application period is from June 8th to July 31st, 2026.

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