Yu-ki, Mayu, Maho, and Mikina, the four members of the now-disbanded group ExWHYZ, have left their talent agency WACK as of September 30, the agency announced on October 3.
The announcement was posted on the group’s official fan club site: “Yu-ki, Mayu, Maho, and Mikina left WACK Co., Ltd. as of September 30, 2026. Thank you so much for supporting ExWHYZ and EMPiRE. We are deeply grateful for the time we spent together and for everyone who cheered us on.” No further details were given about the members’ future activities.
The departure comes about a month after ExWHYZ itself disbanded. The group wrapped up with their farewell concert, “ExWHYZ LAST LIVE ‘Hikari,'” on August 31 at Zepp Haneda (Tokyo), closing out roughly nine years of history between ExWHYZ and its predecessor group.
Who is ExWHYZ?
ExWHYZ was formed in June 2022, the same day its predecessor group EMPiRE abruptly disbanded, by members Yu-ki, Mayu, Mikina, and Maho. Signed to EMI Records, the group built its identity around the concept “DANCE YOUR DANCE,” working with producers including Shinichi Osawa (Mondo Grosso) and Danny White on a dance-music-driven sound. Their debut album “xYZ” arrived in November 2022, followed by a headlining show at Tokyo’s Nippon Budokan in May 2023.
The group continued to build momentum with releases like the 2023 single “DON’T CRY / Regret” and a third-anniversary concert at Tokyo’s Kanadevia Hall. In January 2026, ExWHYZ performed their first UK tour across three cities, and from April they embarked on their farewell tour, “ExWHYZ LAST TOUR DANCE YOUR DANCE,” kicking off at Osaka Castle Hall, a long-held dream venue for the members. Their final album, “zION,” was released on August 26, just days before their last-ever live performance.
Author’s Comment
Watch this space, because "left the agency" after a group disbands is industry code for "we’re about to find out what these four actually want to do next." In the J-pop world, your agency owns your name, your schedule, and often your soul while you’re active, so a clean exit like this is basically a group getting its paperwork in order before scattering. EMPiRE fans have been burned before by a surprise ending, so I get why everyone’s bracing for the next announcement. My bet: solo deals, a new unit, or at least one of them popping up on a variety show within the year. Japan’s idol industry never lets talent just disappear quietly.
