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[2026] Reasons for Departure of WEST. Members (Ryusei Fujii, Nozomu Kotaki) | What are their future activities?
On August 30, 2026, it was announced that Ryusei Fujii and Nozomu Kotaki would be leaving WEST. This article provides a clear and concise summary of the reasons for their departure, their future activities, the plans of the remaining five members, the timing of their departure, and the impact on their upcoming events, based on official announcements and media reports.
[2026] Reasons for Departure of WEST. Members (Ryusei Fujii, Nozomu Kotaki) | What are their future activities?
table of contents
- [Conclusion] Ryusei Fujii and Nozomu Kotaki leave the group | Summary of key points
- Reasons for leaving | Official announcement and media coverage
- Member profiles and future activities
- What will become of the remaining five members of WEST.?
- When will he leave the group? What impact will it have on upcoming events?
- What is WEST.? | Our journey since our debut
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. [Conclusion] Ryusei Fujii and Nozomu Kotaki leave the group | Summary of key points
Q. Who is leaving WEST.?
A. The two members are Ryusei Fujii (33) and Nozomu Kotaki (30). This was announced on August 30, 2026, on the official website of STARTO ENTERTAINMENT.
Q. What was the reason for your departure?
A. The official explanation is that both members expressed a desire to leave WEST. and pursue activities in a new form, and after discussions with the other members, they respected their wishes and accepted their decision.
Q. What will happen to the two of them after they leave the group?
A. I will remain affiliated with STARTO ENTERTAINMENT and continue my activities as a talent. This is not a retirement from the entertainment industry.
2. Reasons for leaving | Official announcement and media coverage
The departure of Ryusei Fujii and Nozomu Kotaki from WEST. was announced on August 30, 2026, on STARTO ENTERTAINMENT's official website. Both members requested to leave WEST. and pursue new activities in a different form, and after discussions with the other members,
The decision was made in respect of that wish.
🔗STARTO ENTERTAINMENT Official Announcement Page
Regarding the reasons behind the departure, there is a growing belief that differences in values among the members may have been the cause. This is because the environment surrounding the group had changed significantly, with Daiki Shigeoka announcing his marriage and the birth of his first child on August 9, 2026, and Takahiro Hamada announcing his marriage, meaning that four out of the seven members were now married. In fact, several sports newspapers have reported, citing sources within the agency, that differences in values had accumulated over the years of their activities.
However, these are merely one perspective and have not been officially explained as the reasons for their departure.
On August 9, 2026, Daiki Shigeoka announced his marriage and the birth of his first child, and Takahiro Hamada also announced his marriage, bringing the total number of married members to four out of seven.
3. Member Profiles and Future Activities
Ryusei Fujii
I was born on August 18, 1993, and I'm 33 years old and from Osaka Prefecture. On April 23, 2014, I made my CD debut as a member of WEST. with the song "Ee Janai Ka".
In recent years, he has also been active as an actor, appearing in dramas such as "Zenbu, Anata no Tame Dakara" and "Error," which aired in 2026. From July to August of the same year, he starred in the stage play "ROLL (CAKE) TIME." Within the group, he is known for being in charge of the live performance direction. In October 2024, he opened his own official Instagram account.
Even after leaving the group, I will continue my talent activities under the affiliation of STARTO ENTERTAINMENT.
Nozomu Kotaki
Born on July 30, 1996, I'm 30 years old and from Osaka Prefecture. Like Fujii-san, I made my CD debut in 2014.
He has received high acclaim as a stage actor, and in July 2026 he will star in the play "Uma - Riding a Horse to the Outside of This World -". Furthermore, he is also scheduled to star in the play "Rock 'n' Roll", which will be performed from November to December 2026.
After Kotaki left the group, I will continue my talent activities under the auspices of STARTO ENTERTAINMENT.
Furthermore, Fujii and Kotaki have known each other since their days as Kansai Johnny's Jr., and because they are both tall, they have been called "Twin Towers" by fans.
| item | Ryusei Fujii | Nozomu Kotaki |
| date of birth | August 18, 1993 | July 30, 1996 |
| Birthplace | Osaka Prefecture | Osaka Prefecture |
| CD debut | April 23, 2014 | April 23, 2014 |
| Main activities | Actor/Live Performance Director | Stage actor |
| After leaving the group | Continued activities under the STARTO label | Continued activities under the STARTO label |
4. What will become of the remaining 5 members of WEST.?
With Fujii and Kotaki's departure, WEST. will consist of five members: Nakama Junta, Kiriyama Akito, Hamada Takahiro, Shigeoka Daiki, and Kamiyama Tomohiro.
Regarding WEST.'s future activities, the five members are reportedly continuing discussions, and a decision will be made and reported once it is finalized. As of August 30, 2026, the group has not announced its disbandment.
According to reports, Fujii and Kotaki will be the first members to leave the group WEST.
5. When will they leave the group? What will be the impact on their upcoming events?
The official date of his departure is still undecided as of the announcement on August 30, 2026. The official website explains, "We are currently coordinating with all parties involved. We will inform you again as soon as a decision is made."
Furthermore, as a consequence of the departure, it has been announced that WEST. will be unable to perform as a seven-member group at the "KAMIGATA EXPO PARK FES 2026" scheduled to be held at Expo Commemoration Park in Osaka on October 31, 2026 and November 1, 2026, and therefore ticket refunds will be issued. WEST. was scheduled to perform at this event along with SUPER EIGHT, Naniwa Danshi, Aぇ! group, and others. Further information regarding future performances and refunds will be announced at a later date.
6. What is WEST.? | Our journey since our debut
WEST. is a group formed by members from the Kansai Juniors, and they made their CD debut on April 23, 2014, with "Ee Janai Ka". They had been active as a seven-member group for many years, but with the departure of Fujii and Kotaki, a restructuring of the group will be undertaken.
On August 14th and 15th, 2026, all seven members performed together at "SUMMER SONIC 2026," and they continued to perform as a group of seven right up until the announcement of the departure.
7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. Who is leaving WEST.?
A. It is Ryusei Fujii and Nozomu Kotaki. This was announced on August 30, 2026, on the official website of STARTO ENTERTAINMENT.
Q2. What was the reason for your departure?
A. The official explanation is that both members expressed a desire to leave WEST. and pursue activities in a new form, and after discussions with the other members, their decision was accepted in respect of their wishes. The background, such as differences in values, is based on media reports and has not been officially stated.
Q3. Will the two of them retire from the entertainment industry after leaving the group?
A. No. Both Fujii and Kotaki will remain affiliated with STARTO ENTERTAINMENT and will continue their talent activities.
Q4. Is WEST. going to disband?
A. As of August 30, 2026, no disbandment has been announced. The remaining five members are reportedly discussing their future activities.
Q5. When did you leave the group?
A. The official departure date is yet to be determined, and negotiations are underway with all relevant parties. An update will be provided once a decision is made.
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