STARTO ENTERTAINMENT is preparing a live Netflix stream of its year-end countdown concert to over 190 countries and regions, and has closed the criminal and contractual matter involving former timelesz member Shuto Inomata, whose contract it terminated on September 30.
The two stories about STARTO ENTERTAINMENT sit at different ends of the company's business. One describes a live broadcast plan for December 31, 2026: COUNTDOWN CONCERT 2026-2027 STARTO to WORLD will stream live on Netflix in over 190 countries and regions, with a pre-program and a backstage "Behind" program also streaming. The concert began in 1996 as a charity effort for Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake recovery and reaches its 30th anniversary in 2026.
The other describes a personnel matter already resolved on the company side. Shuto Inomata, a former timelesz member, was arrested September 19 on suspicion of injuring an acquaintance woman and released September 25 with prosecution deferred. STARTO terminated his exclusive contract as of September 30. On Wednesday, October 21, STARTO said the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors' Office decided not to prosecute Inomata, with prosecution suspended. The company said the other seven members had no prior knowledge of the conduct.
Both stories show STARTO acting on its own timetable. The contract ended before the prosecutors' disposition landed, and the group continues with seven members. On the concert side, the company has committed the year-end event to a global live stream rather than a domestic broadcast.
Written with AI from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself sourced.
See our editorial policy. Every fact links
the story it came from.
Oct 21
STARTO ENTERTAINMENT said Wednesday, October 21 that the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors' Office decided not to prosecute former timelesz member Shuto Inomata, with prosecution suspended. Inomata was arrested September 19 on suspicion of injuring an acquaintance woman, released September 25 with prosecution deferred, and had his exclusive contract terminated as of September 30. STARTO said the other seven members had no prior knowledge of the conduct.
Sep 22
STARTO ENTERTAINMENT will stream its year-end countdown concert, COUNTDOWN CONCERT 2026-2027 STARTO to WORLD, live on Netflix on December 31, 2026, in over 190 countries and regions. The event began in 1996 as a charity effort for Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake recovery and reaches its 30th anniversary in 2026. A pre-program and a backstage "Behind" program will also stream exclusively.