With the official announcement of SMAP's disbandment on December 31, 2016, the members have released their own statements.

- Nakai Masahiro
"To the fans and people concerned, please allow us to announce that we, SMAP, will be disbanding. I'm so sorry to have troubled and worried you. I thank you for all of your support for us over the years. Please forgive us for coming up with this kind of conclusion. I am really sorry..."

- Kimura Takuya
"About this 'group's disbandment', I am honestly regretful. But for the 25th anniversary live or our group activities, there is nothing I can do if five of us aren't together, so all I can do now is to understand. Ignoring the feelings of the fans who supported us a lot, and the staff members, it ended up with such a deplorable conclusion as 'disbandment.' I do not know what to say now."

- �Inagaki Goro
"To the fans and the staffs, I am truly sorry to have troubled and worried you. We thought that it was difficult to continue our group activities in our current situation, so we have decided to 'disband' though it was a tough decision. I hope you understand our intentions. Thank you very much for the past 28 years."

- Kusanagi Tsuyoshi
"We, SMAP, have chosen the path to disband. To the fans who have always cheered for us, and the related parties who have supported us, thank you very much for the 28 years since the formation of the group. We will continue devoting ourselves, so I will be happy if you watch us over warmly."

- Katori Shingo
"To the fans and the staff members, we, SMAP, are disbanding. I sincerely would like to give my gratitude for many people who supported us, and also I am deeply sorry for this sudden announcement."

Source: NHK
Image: Johnny's net