Jun Matsumoto

Jun Matsumoto is a Japanese actor, singer, concert producer, radio host, and model. He is widely recognized as a member of the boy band Arashi, formed under Johnny & Associates and later transitioning to Starto Entertainment. Alongside his musical and performing activities, Matsumoto has served as a production advisor and stage director for various musical groups and live entertainment events.

Matsumoto was born in Toshima, Tokyo, on August 30, 1983. Inspired by his older sister's interest in the group KinKi Kids, he submitted an application to Johnny & Associates upon graduating from elementary school in 1996. Agency founder Johnny Kitagawa personally invited him to join rehearsals without an audition, leading to Matsumoto being viewed as part of the agency's elite trainees. He later attended Horikoshi Gakuen, a high school known for its performing arts graduates, and completed his studies in March 2002.

Before debuting with Arashi in 1999, Matsumoto participated in the trainee unit MAIN alongside future bandmates. He made his acting debut on stage in 1997 in a theatrical adaptation of Stand by Me and began appearing in television dramas such as Hoken Chousain and Bokura no Yūki: Miman Toshi. He gained initial prominence through early television roles, including Hajime Kinda'ichi in Kinda'ichi Shōnen no Jikenbo (2001) and Shin Sawada in Gokusen (2002), winning Best Supporting Actor at the 33rd Television Drama Academy Awards for the latter.

His major breakthrough arrived in 2005 with his portrayal of Tsukasa Dōmyōji in the television adaptation of Boys Over Flowers (Hana Yori Dango). The role earned him widespread recognition, a Television Drama Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, and GQ Japan's Man of the Year Award. Matsumoto reprised the role in a 2007 second season, a 2008 feature film, and a guest appearance in 2018. His television career expanded with starring roles in productions such as Kimi wa Pet, Bambino!, Smile, Natsu no Koi wa Nijiiro ni Kagayaku, Lucky Seven, Shitsuren Chocolatier, and 99.9 Criminal Lawyer.

Throughout his career, Matsumoto maintained an active stage presence. After appearing in West Side Story in 2004, he starred in productions including East of Eden, Valkyrie of the White Night, and Yukio Ninagawa's Ah, Wilderness. In 2024, he starred in Hideki Noda's play Love in Action (Sei sankaku kankei), performing across Tokyo, Kitakyushu, Osaka, and at Sadler's Wells Theatre in London.

Beyond acting, Matsumoto has been heavily involved in concert production since 2000. He introduced key staging innovations, such as the moving stage in 2005 and bluetooth-controlled interactive penlights in 2014. He advised groups like Hey! Say! JUMP and King & Prince, directed the Year-End Johnny's Festival in 2021, and co-directed Starto's We Are!! live event in 2024 with Tadayoshi Okura. He also contributed lyrics to several Arashi group tracks and personal solo songs, including La Familia, Naked, and Stay Gold.

In December 2023, Matsumoto released a photo book reflecting on his experience portraying Ieyasu Tokugawa. In May 2024, he established his own company, MJC Inc., serving as Chief Entertainment Officer, and became independent for solo activities while signing an agent contract with Eternal Moments Inc. He remains part of Arashi under Starto until the group concludes its activities on May 31, 2026, after which he plans to focus exclusively on his acting career.