Katori Shingo

Quick Facts: Who was Katori Shingo?

Subject:

Katori Shingo

Known for:

Versatile Japanese entertainer known for SMAP, solo music, and acting.

Born:

1977-01-31

Century / Era:

1977s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Shingo Katori (香取 慎吾, Katori Shingo; born 31 January 1977) is a Japanese actor, singer, television host, and radio personality. He was the youngest member of SMAP, one of the best-selling boy bands in Asia. Katori was born in Yokohama, Kanagawa and moved to Tokyo to pursue his career. He has one younger brother. In 1987, at age 10, Katori auditioned for Johnny & Associates, a Japanese talent agency that recruits and trains young boys, preteens to teens, to become singers and members of boy bands.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

After five of the other band members auditioning individually from 1986 through 1987, in autumn 1987, twenty boys, from ages ten to seventeen, were put together into a group called The Skate Boys, which was initially created as backup dancers for a famous boy band, Hikaru Genji. In April 1988, producer Johnny Kitagawa chose six out of the twenty boys to create a new boy band and named them "SMAP". After SMAP's disbandment on 31 December 2016, Katori has been pursuing his solo career. He left Johnny & Associates on 9 September 2017, together with two other SMAP members, Goro Inagaki and Tsuyoshi Kusanagi and entered CULEN, a Japanese talent agency. On 22 September 2017, they launched a new project, "atarashiichizu" ("新しい地図", meaning "New Map") as their common fan site, supported by various Japanese leading creators.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Since then, Katori has been extending his activities also into artistic fields. On January 1, 2020, Katori released his first solo album, entitled "20200101". The album features songs written by Katori, as well as collaborations with artists such as TeddyLoid, BiSH, Kreva, Kishidan, and Scha Dara Parr, and more. The album is said to be a celebration of the year 2020, with both the 2020 Summer Olympics and 2020 Summer Paralympics were scheduled to be held during that year. In 2021, Katori held his first solo concert entitled "Sakura Saku Rekishi Aru Meijiza de 20200101 ni Wani Wa Waiwai Katori Shingo", at the Meiji-za from April 4, 2021, to April 29, 2021.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1977 (1977-01-31): Birth of Katori Shingo — Versatile Japanese entertainer known for SMAP, solo music, and acting.
2. 1986: 1986 Milestone — After five of the other band members auditioning individually from 1986 through 1987, in autumn 1987, twenty boys, from ages ten to seventeen, were put together into a group called The Skate Boys, which was initially created as backup dancers for a famous boy band, Hikaru Genji.
3. 1987: 1987 Milestone — In 1987, at age 10, Katori auditioned for Johnny & Associates, a Japanese talent agency that recruits and trains young boys, preteens to teens, to become singers and members of boy bands.
4. 1988: 1988 Milestone — In April 1988, producer Johnny Kitagawa chose six out of the twenty boys to create a new boy band and named them "SMAP".
5. 2016: 2016 Milestone — After SMAP's disbandment on 31 December 2016, Katori has been pursuing his solo career.
6. 2017: 2017 Milestone — He left Johnny & Associates on 9 September 2017, together with two other SMAP members, Goro Inagaki and Tsuyoshi Kusanagi and entered CULEN, a Japanese talent agency.
7. 2020: 2020 Milestone — On January 1, 2020, Katori released his first solo album, entitled "20200101".
8. 2021: 2021 Milestone — In 2021, Katori held his first solo concert entitled "Sakura Saku Rekishi Aru Meijiza de 20200101 ni Wani Wa Waiwai Katori Shingo", at the Meiji-za from April 4, 2021, to April 29, 2021.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Katori Shingo

True or False: “Katori Shingo's trademark phrase, 'Ohha', was initially used in a Ministry of Education campaign to promote family communication.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The phrase 'Ohha' was promoted by Katori as part of an effort encouraging better family communication between 2000 and 2001.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada — Contemporary (Died in 1977) (1977): Pioneering global spread of Krishna consciousness teachings and the Hare Krishna mantra.
• A Certain Ratio — Contemporary (Born in 1977) (1977): English post-punk band known for blending funk, disco, and Latin percussion.
• Abdel Halim Hafez — Contemporary (Died in 1977) (1977): Iconic Egyptian singer and actor, known as 'The Brown-Skinned Nightingale'.
• A. A. Milne — Shared historical date (01-31 · Died) (1956): Celebrated English author, famed for Winnie-the-Pooh and children's literature.
• Alan Lomax — Shared historical date (01-31 · Born) (1915): Pioneering ethnomusicologist known for preserving global folk music traditions.
• Ahmad bin Ali Al Thani — Historical peer (Died in 1977) (1977): Emir of Qatar (1960–1972) whose reign oversaw the nation's oil boom and independence.
• Aki Hoshino — Historical peer (Born in 1977) (1977): Japanese bikini idol known for modeling, acting roles, and fashion collaborations.
• Aaron Carter — Historical peer (Born in 1987) (1987): American singer and rapper known for teen pop stardom and enduring musical career.
• Afrojack — Historical peer (Born in 1987) (1987): Dutch DJ and record producer, known professionally as Afrojack.
• Aaron Swartz — Historical peer (Born in 1986) (1986): Pioneering programmer, activist, and hacktivist known for RSS, Markdown, and progressive organizing.
• 1977 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1977
• January 31 (01-31) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on January 31

Frequently Asked Questions about Katori Shingo