Kenshin Kamimura, a member of the popular dance and vocal group ONE N' ONLY, has left the group effective March 4, 2025, following the announcement of serious compliance violations by the Stardust Promotion agency overseeing his management. This news was made public on ONE N' ONLY's official website, where the reasons for his departure were outlined.
The formal statement specified, "突然ではございますが、メンバー上村謙信の重大なコンプライアンス違反が判明いたしましたため、本日3月4日付にてグループの脱退及び、株式会社スターダストプロモーションとのマネジメント契約を解除しましたことをお知らせ致します". This translates to, "It is sudden, but we wish to inform you of the departure of member Kenshin Kamimura and termination of his management contract with Stardust Promotion due to serious compliance violations." The agency expressed their apologies to fans and stakeholders for the abrupt nature of the news, stating, "SWAGの皆様、関係各位におかれましては急なお知らせとなりますことを心よりお詫び申し上げます" which translates as, "We deeply apologize for this sudden announcement to our fans, the SWAG, and all related parties."
Kenshin, who was born on July 8, 1999, hails from Aichi Prefecture and was actively performing as both a rapper and dancer for ONE N’ ONLY. The group currently boasts over 5.8 million followers on TikTok, making them one of Japan's most prominent male music acts on the platform. They have developed significant popularity not only within Japan but also overseas, which includes recent performances across South America.
Besides his music career, Kenshin has made strides as an actor, starring prominently in several dramas and films. His role as one of the leads in the drama "Unripe ~ We are unfit for use ~," which began airing in November 2024, garnered considerable attention both domestically and internationally. His other notable performances include the film "BATTLE KING!!- We’ll Rise Again -" released earlier this year.
Despite Kenshin’s sudden exit, ONE N' ONLY will proceed with their upcoming live tour, "LIVE TOUR 2025 ||: ONE N' ONLY:||," featuring performances by the remaining five members. The group's management clarified, "既に発表しておりますLIVE TOUR2025「||: ONE N’ ONLY :||」は5人でのステージ・パフォーマンスとなります。払い戻しは致しませんのでご了承ください," meaning, "The previously announced LIVE TOUR 2025 will proceed with performances by the remaining five members. Please be aware there will be no refunds." This indicates the commitment to continue as planned, albeit with one less member on stage.
The announcement of Kenshin’s departure from ONE N' ONLY has prompted varied reactions from fans, many expressing disappointment and surprise over the circumstances. The group's vast and dedicated fanbase, affectionately known as SWAG, has coalesced around supporting the remaining members, though some are concerned about how this change will influence the group's dynamic and upcoming performances.
Industry insiders suggest Kenshin's departure reflects broader challenges faced by entertainment companies as they navigate compliance and ethical standards among their artists. The pressures of fame and public scrutiny can sometimes lead to difficult situations, resulting in similar compliance issues arising across various entertainment sectors.
While the future remains uncertain for Kenshin Kamimura post-departure, he has certainly made his mark within the music and entertainment industry through his talents and popularity. There is great curiosity about what steps he will take next, particularly whether he will continue his career through acting, music, or perhaps unexpected collaborations.
ONE N’ ONLY, meanwhile, must now look toward the future as they adapt to this significant change. With their tour on the horizon, the five remaining members will have to navigate their new reality without Kenshin and reaffirm their position within the competitive Japanese entertainment market. There will likely be additional pressure on these members to establish their foothold as they unite under the collective effort of maintaining the group's success and addressing the changes stemming from this recent announcement.
Fans will be closely monitoring the developments within ONE N' ONLY and Kenshin's future moves as both traverse this unexpected chapter.