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Former KAT-TUN Member Jin Akanishi Returns to Show Business After 17-Month Hiatus

Warner Music Japan announced on Sunday that actor and former KAT-TUN idol group member Jin Akanishi (28) will be resuming his work in show business after being on hiatus for about 17 months. The performer will release his brand new “Hey What's Up?” CD single on August 7. This is the first release Akanishi has made since his debut album in America, Japonicana, was released in March of 2012. Akanishi released a comment on his return:

I caused a lot of worry for people, but I will release a new song. Even during my hiatus, I continued to compose music, so I anxiously waited for this day to come.

Akanishi married the actress/singer Meisa Kuroki (23) on February 2, 2012. As a result, Johnny & Associates canceled Akanishi's spring nationwide tour across Japan to penalize the idol. The talent agency held Akanishi responsible for expenses related to canceling the tour. The Nikkan Sports newspaper also reported that Akanishi was forced by Johnny & Associates to leave the recent remake of the manga-based live-action GTO: Great Teacher Onizuka television series. One reason for the penalties is that Akanishi reported the marriage to Johnny & Associates after the couple had already registered their marriage.

Akanishi and Kuroki announced via fax on April 14, 2012 that Kuroki was four months pregnant. Kuroki apologized for the delayed announcement but kept it a secret at the advice of her doctor until her health stabilized. Kuroki admitted that she had become stable, mentally and physically, and that she was coming to terms with the sense of responsibility creating life brings. Kuroki gave birth to the couple's first child on September 23, and announced via fax that the child was a girl.

In addition to his singing career, Akanishi starred in the live-action drama adaptation of Yukari Ichijo's manga Yukan Club, which featured KAT-TUN single "Keep the Faith" as its theme song. Akanishi also starred in the second season of the live-action adaptation of Kozueko Morimoto's manga Gokusen. His voice acting debut was as the title role in the Japanese-language dub of the 2008 Warner Brothers film Speed Racer.

Source: Nikkan Sports via Hachima Kikō