http://www.jmusicamerica.com/us/database-artist.php?id=345
On January 11th, 2006 the release of a new single Dou ni mo Tomaranai on February 22nd and a third full-length album W3: Faithful on March 16th was announced. But on February 9th, 2006, the magazine Friday, notorious for reporting on scandalous stories about Japanese celebrities, confirmed that it would be publishing photos of Ai Kago caught smoking (the legal age to smoke in Japan is 20, Ai Kago had turned 18 two days before). Kago had been photographed smoking at a restaurant in the Ebisu district on the night of January 27th, 2006 (10 days before her 18th birthday).
The story was soon confirmed by UFA, and on February 10th Hello! Project issued a statement saying Ai Kago had been suspended indefinately from W. Another statement issued on February 11th suggested that W had been suspended, not the vocalist herself. Their forthcoming 7th single and 3rd album scheduled releases for March the 8th and 15th respectively have been cancelled, as well as all promotional appearances due to the scandal.
The story was soon confirmed by UFA, and on February 10th Hello! Project issued a statement saying Ai Kago had been suspended indefinately from W. Another statement issued on February 11th suggested that W had been suspended, not the vocalist herself. Their forthcoming 7th single and 3rd album scheduled releases for March the 8th and 15th respectively have been cancelled, as well as all promotional appearances due to the scandal.
xD
