The 2020 Tokyo Olympics creep ever closer and one of the biggest arguments that remains is which musical performers will feature in the event's opening ceremony. Up until now, debate over who should represent Japan on the international stage has been raging.

But long-running pop group Arashi might have just moved into the lead — albeit by plunging its fans into despair.

Late on Sunday, the group posted a video to its official fanclub website announcing its intention to go on hiatus at the end of 2020.