On June 5, LDH JAPAN announced significant changes to EXILE’s lineup. Takanori Iwata has officially ended his activities as a performer with EXILE, while Alan Shirahama will be suspending his participation in the group until further notice.

The decision comes after ongoing discussions about each member’s future and creative direction. According to the group's official website, Iwata chose to leave EXILE to focus on personal goals and long-term vision. He shared, "After taking a long time to reflect on my future, I made the decision to focus exclusively on group activities with Sandaime J SOUL BROTHERS."

Iwata expressed deep appreciation for his time with EXILE, noting the emotional weight of the decision and the gratitude he feels for his fellow members. "EXILE has been my youth and aspiration. I am proud of the days I spent and memories I made as a member," he said. He also emphasized that this is not the end of his career with LDH, stating he would continue working as a member of Sandaime J SOUL BROTHERS, as well as an actor and solo artist. 

Meanwhile, Alan Shirahama, announced a temporary hiatus from EXILE, explaining a desire to focus more on his roles with GENERATIONS, and PKCZ, along with his personal creative projects. Like Iwata, he will be stepping back from EXILE’s upcoming dome tour scheduled for December, which is the group’s first in three years.

In his message, Shirahama admitted the difficulty of his decision and the struggle of stepping away from a group he deeply respects, "I have always been proud of myself as a 'performer' and being part of such an incredible group. I struggled a lot with this decision, but considering my age and vision I have for my future, this is the path I chose to take."

Even though the announcement was bittersweet, he thanked the EXILE members for their support and let fans know he’s still committed to growing and returning in the future. "Until the day I resume activities with EXILE, I want to keep refining myself. I’d be happy if you could continue to watch over me warmly," he stated. 

Both Iwata and Shirahama joined EXILE in April of 2014 after gaining popularity in their respective groups. Iwata debuted with Sandaime J SOUL BROTHERS in 2010 and is set to star in the upcoming drama 'DOCTOR PRICE' this July. Meanwhile, Shirahama debuted with GENERATIONS in 2012 and later joined PKCZ in 2020, maintaining a multi-faceted career as a performer, DJ, and actor.