STARTO ENTERTAINMENT's Annual Countdown Concert Returns After Three Years, Delighting Fans

STARTO ENTERTAINMENT (formerly Johnny & Associates) has announced the return of its annual New Year's Eve countdown concert (commonly known as "Caucon") after a three-year hiatus, much to the delight of fans. This eagerly anticipated revival, the first since the end of 2022, led to an outpouring of joy on social media, with comments like "Caucon is back!" and "So happy!" flooding feeds and related keywords quickly trending.

Scheduled to take place at the Tokyo Dome on New Year's Eve, the event will feature 12 artist groups, including timelesz, Snow Man, and SixTONES. Significant attention is focused on the content of the concert, especially as it marks the first one under the newly rebranded STARTO ENTERTAINMENT.

Many fans heartily welcomed the return of this long-standing tradition, with some remarking, "It didn't feel like the New Year had truly arrived without Caucon." Enthusiasm for securing tickets and watching the broadcast was high, with posts such as "I want to go to Caucon!" and "I'll definitely watch it live!" Many also expressed explosive joy over their favorite groups' participation, commenting, "timelesz is performing!" and "It's wonderful that the junior groups can sing with their seniors."

On the other hand, some fans pointed out a decrease in the number of participating groups and expressed regret over the absence of certain popular groups like Kanjani Eight. Furthermore, numerous voices requested television broadcasts or online streaming for fans unable to attend the venue, with comments like "It's still unknown if there will be a broadcast" and "Please make it available for streaming."

Various concerns regarding tickets were also observed, including balancing the event with family plans during the New Year's holiday, age restrictions for attendees under 18, and fears of incredibly high competition for tickets. Thus, expectations are mixed with various emotions. However, overall, the general sentiment is "I'm so glad that special festival is back," indicating great joy among long-time fans for the return of this much-awaited New Year's Eve event.

The Context

The New Year's Eve Countdown Concert, affectionately known as "Caucon," has been a cherished annual tradition hosted by Japan's prominent male idol agency, Johnny & Associates (now STARTO ENTERTAINMENT). Held at the iconic Tokyo Dome, the event typically gathers many of the agency's popular groups for a grand performance culminating in a New Year's countdown. For decades, it served as a major cultural event, symbolizing the end of the year and the start of a new one for millions of fans across Japan. The concert was put on hiatus after the 2022 event, coinciding with a period of significant turmoil and restructuring for the agency following serious allegations against its founder. The return of "Caucon" under the new STARTO ENTERTAINMENT banner signifies a significant step in the company's efforts to rebuild its image and reconnect with its fanbase, making this announcement particularly momentous for fans who deeply missed the beloved annual spectacle.