EXILE’s Keiji Kuroki recently announced that he will be retiring from showbiz in the last quarter of the year.

The news was shared by Keiji via his agency LDH Japan, saying that the actor-dancer will be graduating from EXILE after their dome tour, “EXILE Live Tour 2022 – Power of Wish”.

Said Keiji, he has thought about retirement for the past few years after realising he is reaching his limits due to his age and physical strength.

“Before I am unable to deliver my best performance, I decided to use the opportunity of celebrating EXILE’s 20th anniversary to retire,” he said.

Keiji added that although he has done acting and variety shows, he is first and foremost a performer and part of EXILE, and that if he is to retire as a performer, he should step down from all stages.

“After retirement, I will support my family and do my best to contribute to society in a different way. We would appreciate if you could watch over us warmly,” he said.

“I thought about the timing of the announcement, but I thought that I should convey my thoughts to everyone who supports me in advance, so I announced it before the dome tour, which is the final stage where I can say goodbye. The next tour will be the last, but I would like to enjoy the rest of the time with everyone, and I would like to deliver the performance with gratitude while burning every moment in my heart, so I would be grateful if you could support me.”

Making his debut as Nidaime J Soul Brothers in 2007, Keiji joined EXILE in the same year, and played an active part of EXILE’s sub-unit, “EXILE THE SECOND”.

(Photo Source: Keiji Instagram)

EXILE’s Keiji Kuroki recently announced that he is now married to YouTuber Reika Miyazaki (aka Reika Marianna).

The singer shared the good news on social media with a couple of black and white photos, one of him with his bride, and another one of the newly wedded couple showing off their wedding rings while two other smaller hands are placed on top of it.

Admitting that the two have been together for a long time, Keiji stated that he is happy to start his new life with Reika and her two children as one happy family.

“I was attracted by the way she devotes herself to her work as a mother and a company manager, and how much she takes care of me even when I am busy. As I am turning 42 soon, I would like to protect her and her children and make them happy,” he added.

“You’ve shown me unconditional love and I never knew this kind of ‘home’ was possible until you came into my life. Not being the traditional marriage, and through the criticism and downs, I’m sure there were many times you could have backed out. But when you asked me to marry you, you made this “difficult” decision seem like it was the easiest, most natural decision of your life. You’re honestly too good to be true and I thank you and all the experiences I’ve gone through too. Because if I had done one thing differently, I would have never met you.”

Reika also shared similar photos on her social media account, and wrote, “Everything in my life has led me to you… Your love makes me stronger and you hold me when I’m weak. You bring out the best in me and you also love me at my worst. I know I’m far from perfect but the way you look at me and the children everyday like it’s your birthday brings me to tears.”

(Photo Source: Keiji Instagram, Reika Miyazaki Instagram)