SMAP to disband on December 31st

One of Japan's longest-running pop acts is set to disband at the end of the year. The agent for the all-male band SMAP made the announcement early on Sunday.Johnny & Associates faxed a statement to the media, saying SMAP will disband on December 31st.

Reports surfaced in January that the 5-member group was on the verge of splitting. It was said that some of the members were considering leaving the agent.But later, all 5 appeared on a live TV show to apologize. They promised to stay together.