Kikuchi Fuma

STARTO has terminated the contract of timelesz member Inomata Shuto, 25, following his arrest over an alleged assault of a woman outside a convenience store. At a press conference, Kikuchi Fuma said the group would 'never tolerate such conduct' and that members have had no contact with him since the arrest. The remaining seven members say they will continue as a group with new member Hashimoto Masaki, and have ruled out disbanding.

timelesz member Shizuka Inomata has had his contract terminated by the agency following his arrest over an alleged assault on a woman outside a convenience store. Fellow member Fuma Kikuchi told a tearful press conference the group 'will never tolerate such behaviour', while new member Masaki Hashimoto admitted warning signs went unnoticed. Criticism is also mounting over the group's Nippon TV programme posting celebratory messages amid the scandal, and member Daiki Shinozuka is drawing searches as attention stays fixed on the group.