is a Japanese keyboardist and actor. He plays keyboard for Tokio, a musical group of Starto Entertainment formerly known as Johnny & Associates.
Early life Taichi Kokubun was born in Higashikurume, Tokyo.
Career
As an artist Before debuting with Tokio, Kokubun, like other Tokio members, was a backup-dancer for Johnny's Entertainment boy bands, including Hikaru Genji. In 1990 he became the keyboardist of Tokio, but it was not until 1994 that the band debuted.
In 2004, Kokubun took a break from Tokio to form a temporary group with KinKi Kids member Tsuyoshi Domoto. Together they released the theme song to Fantastipo, a movie in which they starred.
As an actor Kokubun began his acting career with a role in Abunai Shōnen III, a 1989 Japanese drama. Since 1993, he has played parts in drama shows and movies such as Fantistipo and Shaberedomo Shaberedomo.
He has hosted Gachinko! with other Tokio members. Currently Kokubun hosts Kaitai Shin Show and Shonen Club Premium on NHK, Tetsuwan Dash and Guruguru Ninety-Nine on NTV, R30 and Sekai Kurabete Mitara on TBS, Mentore G on Fuji TV, and Aura no Izumi on TV Asahi.
In April 2009, Kokubun became a sportscaster for the Fuji TV show Sports!.
Hiatus On June 20, 2025, on a press conference offered by Nippon Television president Hiroyuki Fukuda, it was announced that Kokubun would step down from his hosting duties on due to "multiple compliance-related incidents in the past" not crime related, without explaining the details, because of privacy protection. Kokubun himself accepted the decision taken by the broadcaster, and apologized for the trouble caused. It was also informed that he would take an indefinite leave of absence. Compliance officers of the broadcaster have revealed that the case is about sexual harassment. Other broadcasters are considering removing Kokubun from their programs. Some sponsors, such as Japanet Holdings, have started removing ads on which he appears. As a result, TV Tokyo cancelled the planned June 22nd broadcast of and was dropped from the 2025 edition of the . Mainichi Broadcasting System also followed suit by cancelling the planned June 21st broadcast of . TBS announced on June 24th that it has dropped him from . Since the show's episodes are recorded in advance, Kokubun would be edited out from the batch of episodes that TBS had scheduled to air at that time.
On November 26, 2025, Kokubun held a press conference where he apologized to everyone affected over the issue that ended his participation as a Tokio member, as well as the suspension of his activities. He also informed about his lawyer filing a petition for human rights relief with the Japan Federation of Bar Associations in October over the response that Nippon Television had, resulting in Kokubun's decision to step down from "The Tetsuwan Dash".
Filmography Year/s Title Medium Role Notes1989 Abunai Shōnen III TV Uncredited role1993 Dousoukai TV Ushio 1994 Otōsan wa Shinpaisho TV Yagami-kun no Katei no Jijo TV Koji Yagami 1995 Haruyo, Koi TV The Chef TV Taichi 1996 Glass no Kakeratachi TV 1997 Kin no Tamago TV Kenshui Nanako TV Shinya Aramaki 1998 Oshigoto Desu TV 1999 Yonigeya Honpo TV Shin Oretachi no Tabi TV Episode 10 only2000 Bus Stop TV Kyugo Abe 2001 Omae no Yukichi ga Naiteiru TV 2002 Otōsan TV Jiro Yamaguchi Engimono TV Lead role2004 Tokio TV Takumi Miyamoto Lead role2005 Hiroshima Showa 20 nen 8 Gatsu Muika TV Michaki Shigematsu Fantistipo Movie Toraji Starred with KinKi Kids member Tsuyoshi Domoto, whom he released the theme song to the movie with2006 Dance Drill TV Wataru Ishibashi 2007 Inochi no Iro Enpitsu TV Lead roleShaberedomo Shaberedomo Movie Mitsuba Award a Mainichi Film Award for Best Actor
References
External links
Tokio Official Website