On January 3, 2025, STARTO Entertainment announced that Yuichi Nakamaru of KAT-TUN has officially resumed activities following a five-month hiatus. Nakamaru, who had been on leave since August due to a reported private matter, shared his resolve to return to his career with sincerity and professionalism.

In a message on the agency's website, STARTO Entertainment expressed regret for any inconvenience caused and assured fans of Nakamaru’s renewed commitment to his work.

Nakamaru addressed fans and colleagues in a two-minute video released on KAT-TUN’s official fan club site. He offered a heartfelt apology, saying, “I deeply regret the trouble I’ve caused and will approach my work with a refreshed mindset.”

The hiatus followed a report of a personal encounter with a university student, which led Nakamaru to voluntarily step back from public appearances, including his roles on TV shows like Shuichi, and What’s KAT-TUN Doing?.