SMAP
Origin	Japan
Genre(s)	Japanese pop, Pop, bubblegum music
Years active	1991–present
Label(s)	Victor Entertainment
Website	SMAP's profile at johnnys net
Members
Masahiro Nakai Takuya Kimura Tsuyoshi Kusanagi Goro Inagaki Shingo Katori
Former members
Katsuyuki Mori

SMAP is a Japanese "idol" group, formed by Johnny & Associates. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other J-pop is an abbreviation of Japanese pop. It refers to Japanese popular musicians and was coined by the Japanese media to distinguish Japanese musicians from foreign musicians Pop music as a genre features a noticeable rhythmic element catchy melodies and hooks, a mainstream style and conventional structure Bubblegum pop (also known as bubblegum rock, bubblegum music, or simply bubblegum) is a genre of Pop music whose classic period ran from 1967 See also 1991 in music (UK Musical groups established in 1991 Record labels In the Music industry, a record label can be a Brand and a Trademark associated with the Marketing of music recordings and Music is a Subsidiary of Japan Victor Company (JVC that produces and distributes music movies and other entertainment products such as Anime and television shows is a member of the Japanese pop idol group SMAP. Known as Nakai-kun among fans he is the oldest member and leader of SMAP is an Actor and a member of the Japanese idol group SMAP. Many of the TV dramas he starred in produced high ratings in Japan is an Actor and a member of the popular Japanese idol group SMAP. is a member of the Japanese pop idol group SMAP. His career began while he was in junior high school when his sister entered his picture to a talent company is the youngest member of SMAP, a very popular idol group from the agency Johnny & Associates. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. In Japanese culture refers to mostly female media personalities in their teens and early twenties who are considered particularly cute and pretty and who will for a period formed by Johnny Kitagawa in 1963 is a talent agency that trains and promotes groups of male idols in Japan Originally, there were six members in the group; current members are Masahiro Nakai, Takuya Kimura, Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, Goro Inagaki and Shingo Katori. is a member of the Japanese pop idol group SMAP. Known as Nakai-kun among fans he is the oldest member and leader of SMAP is an Actor and a member of the Japanese idol group SMAP. Many of the TV dramas he starred in produced high ratings in Japan is an Actor and a member of the popular Japanese idol group SMAP. is a member of the Japanese pop idol group SMAP. His career began while he was in junior high school when his sister entered his picture to a talent company is the youngest member of SMAP, a very popular idol group from the agency Johnny & Associates.

Their musical debut was in 1991. Since then they have released many CDs, three of which have been sold more than a million. Recently, the interval of releasing single CDs is becoming relatively long, approximately once a year. The members of SMAP have also starred in many television variety shows, dramas, commercials, and movies. Television ( TV) is a widely used Telecommunication medium for sending ( Broadcasting) and receiving moving Images, either monochromatic A variety show or variety entertainment is an entertainment made up of a variety of acts especially Musical performances and Comedy Skits and also called dorama (ドラマ are a staple of Japanese television and are broadcast daily A television advertisement or television commercial (often just commercial or advert (US or ad (UK is a span of television programming produced Their fanbase mostly consists of Japanese women.

History

SMAP was first formed in 1988, though their début single came in 1991. The letters “SMAP” officially stand for "Sports and Music Assemble People". SMAP originally consisted of the current five members plus Katsuyuki Mori (森 且行, Mori Katsuyuki^?), who left in May 1996 to pursue a career in auto racing. Auto racing (also known as automobile racing, motor racing or car racing) is a Motorsport involving Racing Cars It

SMAP was started as an idol group by Johnny & Associates, a talent agency specializing in teenage boys. formed by Johnny Kitagawa in 1963 is a talent agency that trains and promotes groups of male idols in Japan The SMAP members met each other in 1987 and were called "Skate Boys". They were backup dancers for Hikaru Genji, which was a popular idol group at the time. Hikaru Genji (光GENJI was a Japanese musical group run by Johnny & Associates from 1987 to 1993 In 1988, they formed SMAP. Nakai, the oldest, was appointed the group's leader. Their début in 1991, in a time when there weren't many music programs, was not immediately successful. Of all of Johnny's groups, SMAP was the least popular.

In August 1991 a Saint Seiya musical sponsored by Bandai, was shown in the Aoyama theater in Tokyo, Japan. also known as Knights of the Zodiac, is a Manga series authored by Masami Kurumada, and later adapted to Anime. is a Japanese Toy making company as well as the producer of a large number of Plastic model kits The story recalls the Sanctuary and Poseidon chapter, starring the members of SMAP as the 5 bronze saints and Poseidon.

Since SMAP was so unsuccessful, Nakai asked Johnny's office to let SMAP have a variety program to make people laugh with their unique personalities. The program was called "I Love SMAP" (愛ラブSMAP, ai rabu SMAP^?, a pun as the first character also means "love"). is a kind of comic Japanese Wordplay, similar in spirit to an English Pun relying on similarities in the pronunciation of words to create a simple Through this program, SMAP slowly gained popularity. 1993 was a year of opportunities for SMAP. They had a hit single, and SMAP member Takuya Kimura was in a TV drama called "Asunaro Hakusho", in which he played Osamu Toride, a shy boy. also called dorama (ドラマ are a staple of Japanese television and are broadcast daily Asunaro was a big hit and Kimura's popularity soared. At the same time, SMAP also provided the opening and ending themes for the anime Hime-chan's Ribbon, and Tsuyoshi Kusanagi appeared in multiple episodes as himself doing the voice of a regular character. (anime in Japanese, is a Magical girl Manga series created by Megumi Mizusawa that was serialized in Ribon Magazine from August 1990 to January 1994 SMAP also recorded the opening song, "Kimi Iro Omoi", for the anime Akazukin Cha Cha, and this time the youngest member, Shingo Katori, lent his voice for the whole show as the young strong werewolf, Riiya. is a Shōjo manga series by Min Ayahana. It was serialized by Shueisha in the Manga magazine Ribon from 1991 and 2000 and collected

After that, SMAP members starred in movies both individually and as a group, and SMAP continued to release new hit singles composed by professionals. Their song "Yozora no Mukou" was mentioned in some Japanese textbooks.

In 1996, SMAP started their own variety program called SMAP×SMAP (also called SmaSma). SMAP×SMAP is an ongoing weekly Japanese variety show on Fuji TV starring the members of SMAP. On SMAP×SMAP, they cook (on a regular section of the show called Bistro Smap), perform in comedy sketches (often parodies of other shows), play games, sing and dance with other musical groups. As "an idol group that does anything", they began starring in a wide variety of programs ranging from live stage to music, dancing, hosting other programs, acting in movies, commercials, etc.

In 2000, NTT East produced two animated and two live-action television commercials for their ISDN service featuring a more updated version of the anime series Science Ninja Team Gatchaman. is a 5-member Superhero team which comprises the main characters in several Anime originally produced in Japan by Tatsunoko Productions and later The live action commercials featured some of the members of SMAP in Gatchaman costumes.

In 2001, Inagaki was involved in a traffic altercation. There were allegations of wrongdoing on his part, and he briefly retreated from the public spotlight. However, the ultimate result of the incident was to put SMAP in the public eye once more. Inagaki has since made a comeback, and starred in a 2004 drama about a fictional Japanese investment banker killed in the events of September 11. Investment banks profit from companies and governments by raising money through issuing and selling Securities in the Capital markets (both equity and

In 2003, SMAP leader Nakai was identified as the highest tax payer of any entertainer in Japan by the Japanese National Tax Bureau^[1]. That same year, he was involved in at least four television shows simultaneously, in addition to commercials.

There were speculations that SMAP would disband following Takuya Kimura's announcement of his marriage and Goro Inagaki's traffic altercation in 2001. Although they did not release even a single in 2004, the popularity of SMAP is still strong. This is reflected in the charts, where both their latest album and a recent single (017 SAMPLE BANG! and BANG BANG! バカンス!) topped the respective daily charts just moments after their release, although it did not become the annual top.

Members

All of the members of SMAP have acted in numerous television dramas, variety programs commercials, and movies, but each also cultivates a distinctive image and personality. Television ( TV) is a widely used Telecommunication medium for sending ( Broadcasting) and receiving moving Images, either monochromatic A television advertisement or television commercial (often just commercial or advert (US or ad (UK is a span of television programming produced

SMAP member, Takuya Kimura singing "$10" with Japanese superstar Ayumi Hamasaki on SMAP×SMAP. is an Actor and a member of the Japanese idol group SMAP. Many of the TV dramas he starred in produced high ratings in Japan is a Japanese Singer-songwriter and former Actress. Also called Ayu by her fans Hamasaki has been dubbed the "Empress of Pop" due to her

• Masahiro Nakai is the eldest and "leader" of the group and has hosted numerous television programs with other experienced hosts except one current program, the most famous of which, being Utaban, which he has co-hosted with comedian Takaaki Ishibashi since the show's beginning in 1996 to this day. is a member of the Japanese pop idol group SMAP. Known as Nakai-kun among fans he is the oldest member and leader of SMAP is a long running Japanese music variety show broadcast weekly since October 15 1996 on TBS. is a Japanese Owarai artist singer and actor Born in Itabashi, Tokyo Prefecture, Ishibashi attended Teikyo Junior & Senor High He is a notorious bachelor, trickster and poor singer, none of which have prevented him from being one of the currently highest paid tarento in the Japanese entertainment industry. The entertainment industry (much of which is informally known as show business or show biz) consists of a large number of sub-industries devoted to Entertainment He frequently wears a hat and has long hair, although his look changes frequently. He starred as Eiryo Waga in 2004's "Suna no Utsuwa" alongside Watanabe Ken. is an Academy Award -nominated Japanese stage, Film, and Television Actor.

• Takuya Kimura has appeared in many high-rating television dramas. is an Actor and a member of the Japanese idol group SMAP. Many of the TV dramas he starred in produced high ratings in Japan After his breakout role in Long Vacation, Kimura became the cover boy for many magazines. Long Vacation is a Japanese television drama from Fuji Television, first shown in Japan from 15 April to 24 June In 1994, the so-called Kimutaku (a contraction of Kimura Takuya) phenomenon started to be observed in some media. Abbreviated and contracted words are a common feature of Japanese. A phenomenon (from Greek φαινόμενoν, pl φαινόμενα - phenomena) is any observable occurrence Kimura was voted Best Jeanist from 1994 to 1999, after which he received his own special category as the magazine's "forever Jeanist". Magazines, periodicals or serials are Publications generally published on a regular schedule containing a variety of articles, generally He was voted AnAn's favorite guy, whose survey method practically allows multiple votes. He is still AnAn's favorite guy, having won the vote 14 times consecutively (as of 2007). In 1995, Kimura acted in a movie called, Kimi wo wasurenai. More recent movie credits include Wong Kar Wai's 2046 and Howl's Moving Castle. Howl's Moving Castle is a young adult fantasy novel by British author Diana Wynne Jones, first published in 1986 Many of the dramas he has acted in, such as "HERO" and "Beautiful Life", have received high ratings.

• Goro Inagaki is one of the main vocalists of the group. is a member of the Japanese pop idol group SMAP. His career began while he was in junior high school when his sister entered his picture to a talent company He has his own late-night variety programme called Goro's Bar, and also acts in television dramas as well as occasional stage plays. A play, or stageplay, is a form of Literature written by a Playwright, almost always consisting of Dialogue between Fictional characters

• Tsuyoshi Kusanagi speaks Korean and is also known as an actor, appearing in "Hotel Venus". is an Actor and a member of the popular Japanese idol group SMAP. He seems to have soft features and to project a "sensitive" image. In 2005, he went to Thailand to learn more about the lives of orphans there, and documented the trip for a television special of SMAP's weekly variety program SMAPXSMAP. The Kingdom of Thailand (ˈtaɪlænd ราชอาณาจักรไทย, râːtɕʰa-ʔaːnaːtɕɑ̀k-tʰɑj

• Shingo Katori He is the youngest member of SMAP, but also the tallest. is the youngest member of SMAP, a very popular idol group from the agency Johnny & Associates. For a while he dyed his hair white, making him stand out in the group. At one point he also had dreadlocks. Dreadlocks, also called locks or dreads, are interlocked coils of Hair which form by themselves in all hair types if the hair is allowed to grow naturally He has also done anime voice work, most notably the role of Riiya in Akazukin ChaCha. (anime in Japanese, is a Shōjo manga series by Min Ayahana. It was serialized by Shueisha in the Manga magazine Ribon from 1991 and 2000 and collected He also received critical acclaim for playing Kondo Isami in NHK's all-star cast Taiga Drama, "Shinsengumi" in 2005, and as Son Goku on the hit television series "Saiyuuki" and it's accompanying feature film in 2006.

Music

SMAP has released over thirty singles, and three of them, "Yozora no mukou" (夜空ノムコウ, "Beyond the Night Sky"^?), "Lion Heart", and "Sekai ni hitotsu dake no hana" (世界に一つだけの花, "A Flower Unlike Any Other in the World"^?), have sold more than two million copies each.

Sekai ni hitotsu dake no hana became SMAP's best selling single and also for the year of 2003

"A Flower Unlike Any Other in the World" was very popular in Japan more than a year after its release in 2003 and sold over two million copies. It was the only single selling over a million copies that year, a year that saw CD sales declining due to the Japanese economic slump. This song was selected as the Space Shuttle Discovery crew wake-up call in August 2005, on STS-114 Flight Day 13. Space Shuttle Discovery ( Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-103 is one of the three currently operational orbiters in the Space Shuttle fleet of STS-114 was the first " Return to Flight " Space Shuttle mission following the Space Shuttle ''Columbia'' disaster.

The song is about individuality, and since it became a hit fame during the lead up to and aftermath of the 2003 Iraq war, some seemed to perceive it as a plea for peace. The 2003 invasion of Iraq, from March 20 to May 1 2003 was spearheaded by the United States, backed by British forces and smaller contingents from Australia The song made it to No. 1 on the Oricon 2003 Yearly Singles Top 100. established in 1999 is the Holding company at the head of a Japanese Corporate group that supplies Statistics and information on music and the Music industry A line from the end and beginning of the song, "NO. 1 にならなくてもいい　もともと特別な Only one", roughly translated,　"You don't have to become the best. You're special to begin with, the one and only (you)", was made reference to on some occasions. The music and lyrics of the song were created by Noriyuki Makihara, a popular Japanese singer and songwriter. is a well-known J-Pop Singer and Songwriter, nicknamed "Macky" by his fans

Although SMAP did not release a new song in 2004, it held the #1 spot for the first few weeks into the year and finished the year on the #11 spot. SMAP was invited to perform in Kouhaku that year, but they refused for the second time since 2001 because all the individual members had so many commitments that year, such as movies and dramas, that they wanted to rest. In retrospect, 2004 was a year that did not have a single million-selling CD.

"Arigatou" (ありがとう, "Thank You"^?) was SMAP's 40th single, and was released on Oct 11th,2006. It is an expression of thanks in honor of the 15th anniversary of SMAP's debut.

Singles

Albums

Acting

Japan's Ayumi Hamasaki dubbed “The Empress of J-pop" as a special guest at SMAP×SMAP, February 2007. Events 69 - The end of the Year of the four emperors: Following Galba, Otho and Vitellius, Vespasian Year 1994 ( MCMXCIV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar) Events 1284 - Statute of Rhuddlan incorporated the Principality of Wales into England 1575 - Indian Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 Events 1508 - Maximilian I Holy Roman Emperor, is defeated in Friulia by Venetian forces; he is forced to sign a three-year Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 Events 1000 - Battle of Svolder, Viking Age. 1379 - Treaty of Neuberg, splitting the Austrian Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 Events 308 - The Congress of Carnuntum: Attempting to keep peace within the Roman Empire, the leaders of the Tetrarchy declare Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 Events 962 - Translatio imperii: Pope John XII crowns Otto I Holy Roman Emperor, the first Holy Roman Emperor Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) Events 553 - The Second Council of Constantinople begins 1215 - Rebel Barons renounce their allegiance to King John Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) Events 1099 - First Crusade: Christian soldiers take the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem after the final Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) Events 326 - The old St Peter's Basilica is consecrated 1302 - Pope Boniface VIII issues the Papal bull Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) Events 747 BC - Epoch (origin of Ptolemy 's Nabonassar Era 364 - Valentinian I is proclaimed Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar Events 1264 - Battle of Lewes: Henry III of England is captured in France making Simon de Montfort the Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar Events 46 BC - Julius Caesar dedicates a Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar Events 1129 - Formal approval of the Order of the Templar at the Council of Troyes. Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar) Events 589 - Reccared summons the Third Council of Toledo 1450 - Jack Cade's Rebellion: Kentishmen Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar) Events 98 - Trajan becomes Roman Emperor after the death of Nerva. Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) Events 1180 - First Battle of Uji, starting the Genpei War in Japan 1305 - The Flemish Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) Events 474 - Zeno crowned as co-emperor of the Byzantine Empire. 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. Events 1363 - Beginning date of the Battle of Lake Poyang; the forces of two Chinese rebel leaders— Chen Youliang and 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. Events 1540 - Thomas Cromwell is executed at the order of Henry VIII of England on charges of Treason. Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Events 1252 - Pope Innocent IV issues the Papal bull Ad exstirpanda, which authorizes but also limits the See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 363 - Roman Emperor Julian moves from Antioch with an army of 90000 to attack the Sassanid Empire, in a Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1419 - Hundred Years' War: Rouen surrenders to Henry V of England completing his reconquest of Normandy. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1214 - Battle of Bouvines: In France, Philip II of France defeats John of England. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 800 - Charlemagne arrives at Rome to investigate the alleged crimes of Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1012 - Martyrdom of Alphege in Greenwich London. 1529 - At the Second Diet of Speyer Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1138 - A massive earthquake struck Aleppo, Syria. 1531 - Huldrych Zwingli is killed Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 324 - Licinius abdicates his position as Roman Emperor. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 363 - Roman Emperor Julian moves from Antioch with an army of 90000 to attack the Sassanid Empire, in a 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common New Year See also New Year The Ancient Romans began their consular year on January 1st since 153 BC Year 1992 ( MCMXCII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar) Events 1071 - Battle of Manzikert: The Seljuk Turks defeat the Byzantine Army at Manzikert. Year 1992 ( MCMXCII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar) New Year See also New Year The Ancient Romans began their consular year on January 1st since 153 BC Year 1993 ( MCMXCIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar) Events 1456 - A retrial verdict acquits Joan of Arc of heresy 25 years after her death Year 1993 ( MCMXCIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar) Events 962 - Translatio imperii: Pope John XII crowns Otto I Holy Roman Emperor, the first Holy Roman Emperor Year 1994 ( MCMXCIV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar) Events 1456 - A retrial verdict acquits Joan of Arc of heresy 25 years after her death Year 1994 ( MCMXCIV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar) New Year See also New Year The Ancient Romans began their consular year on January 1st since 153 BC Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 Events 1456 - A retrial verdict acquits Joan of Arc of heresy 25 years after her death Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 Events 498 - Kofi Aseidu- After the death of Anastasius II, Symmachus is elected Pope in the Lateran Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 Events 1284 - Statute of Rhuddlan incorporated the Principality of Wales into England 1575 - Indian Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) Events 1099 - First Crusade: Battle of Ascalon - Crusaders under the command of Godfrey of Bouillon defeat Fatimid Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) Events 1026 - Pope John XIX crowns Conrad II as Holy Roman Emperor. Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar Events 1538 - Bogotá, Colombia, is founded by Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada. Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar Events 618 - Coronation of the Chinese governor Li Yuan as Emperor Gaozu of Tang, the new Emperor of China, initiating three centuries Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar) Events 1071 - Battle of Manzikert: The Seljuk Turks defeat the Byzantine Army at Manzikert. Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar) Events 1223 - Louis VIII becomes King of France upon the death of his father Philip II of France. Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) Events 1066 - Norman Conquest: Battle of Hastings - In England on Senlac Hill seven miles from Hastings, the forces 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. Events 1174 - Jocelin, Abbot of Melrose, is elected Bishop of Glasgow. Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Events 1220 - Sweden is defeated by Estonian tribes in the Battle of Lihula. Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Events 1132 - Battle of Nocera between Ranulf II of Alife and Roger II of Sicily. See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 524 - Battle of Vézeronce, the Franks defeat the Burgundians Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1214 - Battle of Bouvines: In France, Philip II of France defeats John of England. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 657 - Battle of Siffin. 811 - Battle of Pliska; Byzantine Emperor Nicephorus Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. is a Japanese Singer-songwriter and former Actress. Also called Ayu by her fans Hamasaki has been dubbed the "Empress of Pop" due to her SMAP×SMAP is an ongoing weekly Japanese variety show on Fuji TV starring the members of SMAP.

Their variety program SMAP×SMAP shows several types of entertainments ranging from cooking, comedy, and games to singing and dancing, often with celebrity guests, including celebrities like Will Smith, Ayumi Hamasaki, Michael Jackson,Utada Hikaru, David Beckham, Tom Cruise, The Backstreet Boys, Paris Hilton, Matt Damon, Madonna, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Sheryl Crow, Richard Gere, Avril Lavigne, and Kwon Sang Woo, though most guests are Japanese tarento ("talents"). SMAP×SMAP is an ongoing weekly Japanese variety show on Fuji TV starring the members of SMAP. is a Japanese Singer-songwriter and former Actress. Also called Ayu by her fans Hamasaki has been dubbed the "Empress of Pop" due to her Michael Joseph Jackson (born August 29 1958 is an American musician entertainer and businessman also known by her fans as, is a Singer-songwriter, Arranger and Record producer in Japan. David Robert Joseph Beckham, and is also a member of the England national team. Thomas Cruise Mapother IV ( born July 3 1962 better known by his screen name Tom Cruise, is an American Actor and Film producer Backstreet Boys are a Grammy -nominated American pop group They were the first group launched by fallen Boy band mogul Lou Pearlman. Matthew Paige Damon (born October 8 1970 is an American Actor and Philanthropist. Madonna Louise Ciccone Ritchie (born August 16 1958 known as Madonna, is an American Catherine Zeta-Jones ( "zeeta" born September 25, 1969) is a Welsh actress, presently based in the United States Sheryl Suzanne Crow (born February 11, 1962) is an American Singer-songwriter and Musician. Richard Tiffany Gere (born August 31, 1949) is a Golden Globe - and Screen Actors Guild Award -winning American Actor. Avril Lavigne Whibley (born September 27 1984 better known by her birth name of Avril Lavigne (ˈævrɨl ləˈviːn is a Canadian Grammy Award Kwon Sang-woo (born August 5, 1976, Daejeon, South Korea) is a South Korean actor

At the beginning of 2004, Kimura and Kusanagi each starred in a drama show ("PRIDE" and "Boku to Kanojo to Kanojo no Ikiru Michi" or "The Way We Live", respectively) both the high-rating dramas of the season. is a Japanese drama. Cast Takuya Kimura as Haru Satonaka Yūko Takeuchi as Aki Murase Kenji Sakaguchi Inagaki sang the song for "Boku to Kanojo to Kanojo no Ikiru Michi". (Initially, the fact that Inagaki was singing the song was kept a secret, but after numerous fans called Fuji TV, it was revealed to the public. is a Japanese Television station based in Daiba, Minato Tokyo, Japan, also known as or CX. )

Film "Yomigaeri" starring Kusanagi was considered to be a hit in 2003.

Other projects

Besides singing and acting, the group also manages to be active in numerous other forms of media fields as well.

Besides their weekly variety show SMAP×SMAP, the individual members are also currently regulars/hosts on the following shows:

Masahiro Nakai:
Waratte Iitomo! Zoukangou (Sunday, 10:00~11:45)
Black Variety (Sunday, 22:30~22:56)
Waratte Iitomo! (Tuesday, 12:00~13:00)
The! Sekai Gyouten News (Wednesday, 21:00~21:54)
Utaban (Thursday, 19:54~20:54)
Nakai Masahiro no Kinyoubi no Sma-tachi e (Friday, 21:00~21:54)

Goro Inagaki:
Goro's Bar (Thursday, 24:25~24:55)
Wasurebumi (Sunday, 5:45~6:00)

Tsuyoshi Kusanagi:
Waratte Iitomo! Zoukangou (Sunday, 10:00~11:45)
Pussuma (Tuesday, 23:15~24:10)
Waratte Iitomo! (Thursday, 12:00~13:00)
Bokura no Ongaku 3 (Narrator; Thursday, 23:30~23:58)
Chonan Kan 2 (Thursday, 25:25~25:40)

Shingo Katori:
Waratte Iitomo! (Monday, 12:00~13:00)
Waratte Iitomo! Zoukangou (Sunday, 10:00~11:45)
Tokujou! Tensei Shingo (Sunday, 16:25~16:55)
UraSma6 (Saturday, 22:57~23:00)
SmaSTATION-6 (Saturday, 23:00~23:54)

Takuya Kimura:
Takuya Kimura is not currently a regular on any show besides SMAPxSMAP. Waratte Iitomo (笑っていいとも! is a Japanese Variety show aired every weekday on Fuji TV. However, he regularly hosts What's Up Smap (WuS), a weekly radio programme for a local radio station in Tokyo (Friday nights) and guests from time to time in his co-members shows, such as Pussuma, UraSma and SmaSTATION. Even though all other members of SMAP appear regularly on Waratte Iitomo!, Kimura never appears on the show unless there is a drama or film that he is starring in, and he is promoting it on the show as a guest.

In 2003, three of the books ranked in the year's best selling 10 books were released by SMAP: Kimura's "First Essay(Kaihou-ku "open area")", Katori's "English Berabera", and also Katori's "Diet Shingo".

In 2002, the group released a soft drink called "Drink! SMAP" in order to promote a CD of the same name. Soft drink is a beverage that does not contain Alcohol. Carbonated soft drinks are commonly known as soda soda pop pop, or

SMAP was also chosen to be official spokespersons for Square-Enix's popular Dragon Quest series of role-playing video games. is a Japanese video game and publishing company best known for its Console role-playing game franchises which include the Final Fantasy series the Dragon published as Dragon Warrior in North America until the 2005 release of Dragon Quest VIII Journey of the Cursed King, is a series of role-playing

References

External links

• Official website by Johnny & Associates
• SMAP official website