BBC記事パート４（完）訳「日本のアイドル２０年間トップで」

「スキャンダルな道のり」

スキャンダルがあった長い２０年間だった。
オリジナルメンバー森君が違う道に進んだ事は未だによく話題になる。
稲垣さんの事件は、相手の怪我はひどくなかったものの、グループのイメージをこわしかけた。
草なぎさんの件は、普段の彼を知っている人々をびっくりさせた。
だが、毎回、SMAPは人気を取り戻し、ハプニングの前よりすごいものを見せてくれる。
「スキャンダルのあとの中居さんの対応とリーダーシップに毎回感動した。」ファンのオノさんがいう。「彼の大人の人間としての強さや、他のメンバーとSMAPへの愛にあふれていた。」
だが、中居さんのファンでも口を揃えて言う中居さんの弱点。それは彼の歌。
「だんだん好きになってきました。あまり歌がうまくないのも中居さんの一部として」オノさんは語る。「私のヲタっぷりは、母さえあきれてますが、中居さんの性格が好きで好きで」
SMAPのあとに有名になった若いグループがいますが、評論家によると、その成功のきっかけはスマップの努力に隠されているという。
SMAPの解散の噂は何回も流れているが、日本は２０年以上もこの５人グループ見てきただけあって、多くのファンはSMAPと一緒にゆっくり年を取って行きたいと思っている。


Nudity incident
But the group's journey has not been without scandals. Original member Katsuyuki Mori's departure to race motorcycles remains a sensitive topic.
Goro Inagaki, known as the shy one, was arrested for turning a simple parking violation into an attempted hit-and-run in August 2001.
Even though the policewoman who was hit was only slightly hurt, Mr Inagaki and the group's reputation was seriously damage.
Then in April 2009, Tsuyoshi Kusanagi was arrested for public indecency after being found drunk and naked at a Tokyo park. The story shocked his fans, who saw Mr Kusanagi as the quiet and polite one in the group.
But the band got back on track.
"I was very moved by Nakai's firm leadership after these scandals," said long-time fan Ms Ono. "It really showed that he cared for the members and it showed his maturity."
Even Mr Nakai's fans will admit that he has one weakness, however - his singing skills.
"I've grown to love the fact that he cannot sing well and isn't perfect," said Ms Ono. "Even my own mother is a bit fed up with my obsession, but I like watching him because he is so genuine."
Since SMAP, there have been many younger groups which have gained popularity. But Prof Saijo says that it was SMAP who forged their career paths.
Rumours have gone round several times that the group could split up.
But Japan has watched a group of five teenage boys entertain them over two decades and, as one fan put it, they want to grow old with SMAP.

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