Currently, Hironori Kusano has been on a "temporary withdrawal" also known as a temporary suspension due to his alleged underaged drinking rumors brought up by a tabloid magazine. JE is currently still investigating this issue, but Kusano is not guilty as he had said in a statement that he had not drunk. He is voluntarily withdrawing out of the scene for the moment to reflect on what he has done as he had caused misunderstanding due to his actions. Therefore, his radio show has since been replaced by other NewS members and he will not be appearing in any TV shows until further notice. NEWS will be going under temporary suspension after their Spring Concert 2006 due to alleged bad discipline, as Kusano's incident was a follow up from Uchi Hiroki, a fellow NEWS member who is currently suspended since September 2004 due to underaged drinking too. NEWS is to reflect on their behaviour and thus will be pulled out of activities as a group after May 2006 till next year (no confirmed dates have been given by JE).