Until the appearance of another pop group represented by Johnny & Associates (Hey! Say! 7) in 2007, Hikaru Genji held the record for the youngest male group to top the Oricon singles charts.[1] In 1988, Hikaru Genji became the second artist in history to monopolize the top three spots on the Oricon singles chart[2] and the third artist in history to dominate the top two spots on the charts.[3][4] They also won the Japan Record Award in the 30th Japan Record Awards for their song "Paradise Ginga" that same year,[5] making them the second Johnny's artist to win the award after Masahiko Kondo and the last before Johnny & Associates established a policy that would decline all future nominations of awards from organizations such as the Japan Record Awards and the Japan Academy Awards.[6]
In 1994, Mikio Osawa and Hiroyuki Sato left the group and the remaining members formed Hikaru Genji Super 5, which disbanded a year later. Of these five, Kazumi Morohoshi and Junichi Yamamoto have since left the company. Only Atsuhiro Sato and Kohji Uchiumi currently remain with Johnny & Associates as Akira Akasaka was arrested for possession of methamphetamine on October 28, 2007, and was subsequently fired.[7][8]
Members
Hikaru
Kohji Uchiumi (内海 光司, Uchiumi Kōji, born January 11, 1968): Leader
Mikio Osawa (大沢 樹生, Ōsawa Mikio, born April 20, 1969): Vocal
Genji
Kazumi Morohoshi (諸星 和己, Morohoshi Kazumi, born August 12, 1970): Center
Hiroyuki Sato (佐藤 寛之, Satō Hiroyuki, born November 2, 1970): Vocal
Junichi Yamamoto (山本 淳一, Yamamoto Jun'ichi, born February 28, 1972): Main Vocal
Akira Akasaka (赤坂 晃, Akasaka Akira, born May 8, 1973): Vocal
Atsuhiro Sato (佐藤 敦啓, Satō Atsuhiro, born August 30, 1973): Vocal