an update
It's felt like the longest couple of weeks in my life, but the most recent word from the sports papers (unfortunately our only sources of 'news' in this whole mess) is that Matchy arranged a dinner on the night of the 21st with SMAP, TOKIO, Arashi, Julie, and possibly others (and possibly Iijima as well? the articles I found didn't agree on that part). Mary and Johnny were apparently not there, and in general it seems to have been a "welcome-back" party with a lot of reminiscing about the past. The message, at least according to the papers, is that we can hope for more SMAP+kouhai appearances and a celebration of SMAP's 25th debut year. There's a lot still unanswered, and so far no word that I know of from SMAP themselves, but here's hoping the papers are utterly, absolutely right for once!
In the meantime, since Monday there have also been quite a few remarks of support from various celebrities, and well as change.org petitions in support of SMAP and calling for Mary's dismissal.
From my own impression watching tonight's SmaSTATION, Shingo looked tired but not upset, not energetic but not forcing a smile either. Hopefully we'll hear something from him on his j-web soon...
In the meantime, since Monday there have also been quite a few remarks of support from various celebrities, and well as change.org petitions in support of SMAP and calling for Mary's dismissal.
From my own impression watching tonight's SmaSTATION, Shingo looked tired but not upset, not energetic but not forcing a smile either. Hopefully we'll hear something from him on his j-web soon...