🎤 XG have decided: the world tour goes on. Days after their producer's arrest sent shockwaves through the music world, the seven members announced that "THE CORE" continues as planned. Here is how the decision came about, the remaining Japan dates, and how ALPHAZ responded.

XG Officially Confirms World Tour "THE CORE" Will Continue

On February 27, 2026, the seven-member HIP HOP/R&B group XG announced via their official X (formerly Twitter) account that their ongoing 2nd world tour "XG WORLD TOUR: THE CORE" will proceed as scheduled.

Their statement read: "After careful deliberation regarding upcoming shows, we have decided to proceed with performances as planned." They also noted that ticket refunds would be available for those who wish, with details to be announced later. The statement closed with a commitment to ensuring "a safe and enjoyable experience for all attendees."

The announcement came in the wake of the February 23 arrest of JAKOPS (SIMON), CEO and executive producer of XGALX, the label behind XG, on suspicion of violating Japan's Narcotics Control Act.

How the Arrest Unfolded

The arrest took place immediately after XG's Nagoya IG Arena shows on February 21 and 22. According to Kyodo News and other outlets, Tokyo Metropolitan Police searched a hotel room in Aichi Prefecture after the show on the night of the 22nd and seized four bags of cocaine, found on a desk, plus one bag of what appeared to be dried cannabis. JAKOPS (real name: Junho Sakai) was arrested on the spot in the early hours of the 23rd, along with three others: two Avex employees and a music producer affiliated with XGALX. Whether any of the four have admitted to the allegations has not been disclosed.

JAKOPS, born in Seattle in 1986 to Japanese and Korean parents, debuted in South Korea in 2010 as a member of the boy group DALMATIAN (later renamed DMTN), began producing under the JAKOPS name in 2013, and founded XGALX in 2017. He oversaw everything from member recruitment to creative direction, building XG into an internationally recognized group. Avex issued its own statement on February 24, saying it would cooperate fully with the police investigation.

On February 24, XG issued a formal statement declaring: "XG has absolutely no involvement in this matter." The members also shared a personal message: "We ourselves are processing this sudden event with great surprise and bewilderment," adding, "XG will continue to walk forward as XG."

The Tour: "THE CORE"

"XG WORLD TOUR: THE CORE" supports the group's 1st full album THE CORE, released January 23, 2026. This is XG's second world tour. The first, "XG 1st WORLD TOUR 'The first HOWL,'" ran 47 shows across 35 cities and drew roughly 400,000 people, including a Tokyo Dome date.

The current tour kicked off February 6 with three nights at K-Arena Yokohama (approximately 60,000 attendees across the three shows), followed by Osaka-Jo Hall and Nagoya's IG Arena. The remaining Japan dates are:

  • March 14 (Sat): Sundome Fukui, Fukui Prefecture
  • March 20 (Fri/Holiday): Sekisui Heim Super Arena, Miyagi Prefecture
  • March 25-26 (Wed-Thu): GLION ARENA KOBE, Hyogo Prefecture
  • April 4-5 (Sat-Sun): Kitakyushu Messe, Fukuoka Prefecture
  • April 10-12 (Fri-Sun): Yoyogi National Stadium First Gymnasium, Tokyo (3 nights)

After Japan, the tour is set to expand across Asia, North America, UK and Europe, Australia, and Latin America. At the time of the announcement only the regions had been confirmed; individual cities and dates were to follow.

Who is XG, and Why "Genes"?

XG consists of seven members: JURIN, CHISA, HINATA, HARVEY, JURIA, MAYA, and COCONA. The name stood for "Xtraordinary Girls" from debut until January 12, 2026, when, after every member had turned 20, XGALX announced a change to "Xtraordinary Genes." The label said "Genes" points to the creativity held in each member's core and to a refusal to be bound by convention. All seven members are Japanese, yet they perform primarily in English and have targeted the global market from day one.

Their genre-defying style spans hip hop, R&B, house, and punk rock. Since debuting in March 2022 with "Tippy Toes," they have collected a run of firsts: first Japanese artists selected for Apple Music's "Up Next Artist" program, first Japanese act to top Billboard's "Hot Trending Songs" chart, and first Japanese girl group on the cover of Billboard magazine. THE CORE also reached No. 93 on the Billboard 200, their highest placement to date.

Their fanbase, ALPHAZ, takes its name from the leader of a wolf pack. XGALX built the group on a training and production model closer to Korean entertainment companies than Japanese ones, while keeping the members' Japanese identity front and centre.

In early February, member COCONA was named a brand ambassador for Gucci, and attended Demna's debut runway show for the house in Milan the following month.

The Members' Show of Resolve

On February 26, XG posted a message on their official X account after their Nagoya shows: "Our CORE remains unchanged, unstoppable, and right here. Trust the process. Only what's real matters." They continued: "No matter what happens, XG will walk forward as XG, continuing our dream journey and charging toward the universe together with all of you."

These words, shared alongside photos from their Nagoya performances, resonated deeply with fans around the world who saw them as a declaration of resilience.

Can the Artist Be Separated From the Label?

In Japan, opinion splits between treating an artist's work as separate from a staff member's misconduct and holding the whole organisation accountable. In XG's case the dominant reaction was that the members bear no blame and deserve more support, not less.

How would this be handled in your country? When a producer or manager faces legal trouble, does the artist's career usually continue? And is XG popular where you live?

Update: what happened next (as of July 2026)

  • The tour did continue. The Japan leg finished on April 10 to 12, 2026 at Yoyogi National Stadium First Gymnasium, completing 16 shows across eight cities since February 6 in Yokohama. The Tokyo dates were streamed live on Amazon Prime Video.
  • The Asia and Australia leg was subsequently dated: Bangkok (IMPACT Arena) on July 19, Manila (SM Mall of Asia Arena) on July 22, and Hong Kong (AsiaWorld-Expo) on August 2.
  • The North American leg, reported at publication as starting in October, was scheduled for November instead: Oakland on November 3, Los Angeles on November 5, Chicago on November 9, and further cities.
  • The tour finale was announced for February 2027, four shows split between Tokyo Dome and Kyocera Dome Osaka.
  • XG also performed at FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL '26 at Naeba, Niigata, held July 24 to 26, 2026.

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