• SMAP members (from left) Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, Goro Inagaki, Takuya Kimura, Shingo Katori and Masahiro Nakai perform with Taiwanese model and actress Lin Chi-ling in Beijing in September 2011. Members of the Japanese pop group say they will stick together, ending rumors of a breakup that shocked fans. | AP
    SMAP members (from left) Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, Goro Inagaki, Takuya Kimura, Shingo Katori and Masahiro Nakai perform with Taiwanese model and actress Lin Chi-ling in Beijing in September 2011. Members of the Japanese pop group say they will stick together, ending rumors of a breakup that shocked fans. | AP
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The circumstances surrounding the near breakup of SMAP underlined the idol group’s sustained popularity, as evidenced by exceptional TV ratings, the apparent overloading of Twitter’s servers and the fact that it drew comment from the prime minister.

“The group will remain intact in response to many fans’ wishes, which is good,” Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said during Tuesday’s session of the Upper House Budget Committee. “As is the case in the world of politics, I presume there are many issues (that must be overcome) for a group to continue for many years.”

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