The full translation of his statement:
QuoteDisplay MoreThank you for your warm support.
I, Keiji Kuroki, would like to announce that I will graduate from EXILE and LDH JAPAN and retire from the entertainment industry after EXILE's dome tour "EXILE LIVE TOUR 2022 "POWER OF WISH"" which will start in July.
I am truly grateful to LDH for taking care of me for about 17 years since before I made my debut. At that time, HIRO, all the EXILE original members, and all the staff accepted me, and I was able to make many dreams come true. And being able to meet a large number of fans has been the greatest asset for me.
As for when I will retire, I have been thinking about it for several years. While working as a performer, I have always put my life into delivering my best to my fans, but recently I have come to feel the limits of my age and physical strength. I have decided to retire on the occasion of EXILE's 20th anniversary before I can no longer deliver the best performance I want to.
And although I have tried to work in various fields such as acting and variety shows, I am a performer of EXILE before being an entertainer, and because of my own passion and pride for it, I felt that if I retire as a performer, it would be the best way for me to pay my respects to my fans and myself by stepping down from all the stages.
After retirement, I will continue to support my family and devote myself to contributing to society on a new path, and I hope that you will watch over me warmly.
I thought about the timing of my announcement, but I felt that I should convey my feelings to all of you who support me in advance, so I made the announcement before the Dome Tour, the last stage where I will be able to say goodbye to you.
Although the next tour will be my last, I would like to enjoy the remaining time with you all and deliver a performance with gratitude, searing every moment in my heart, so I hope you will support me.
June 10, 2022
Kuroki Keiji
