Taichi Kokubun (国分 太一) is a Japanese keyboardist and actor. He plays keyboard for Tokio, a musical group of Starto Entertainment formerly known as Johnny & Associates.

Early life

Taichi Kokubun was born in Higashikurume, Tokyo.

Career

As an artist

Before debuting with Tokio, Kokubun, like other Tokio members, was a backup-dancer for Johnny's Entertainment boy bands, including Hikaru Genji. In 1990 he became the keyboardist of Tokio, but it was not until 1994 that the band debuted. In 2004, Kokubun took a break from Tokio to form a temporary group with KinKi Kids member Tsuyoshi Domoto. Together they released the theme song to Fantastipo, a movie in which they starred.

As an actor

Kokubun began his acting career with a role in Abunai Shōnen III, a 1989 Japanese drama. Since 1993, he has played parts in drama shows and movies such as Fantistipo and Shaberedomo Shaberedomo. He has hosted Gachinko! with other Tokio members. Currently Kokubun hosts Kaitai Shin Show and Shonen Club Premium on NHK, Tetsuwan Dash and Guruguru Ninety-Nine on NTV, R30 and Sekai Kurabete Mitara on TBS, Mentore G on Fuji TV, and Aura no Izumi on TV Asahi. In April 2009, Kokubun became a sportscaster for the Fuji TV show Sports!.

Filmography