Back in October, former KAT-TUN member 
Jin Akanishi indicated his plans 
for a CD debut in the United States. 
On Thursday, those plans became much more tangible 
with Warner Music Group and Warner Music Japan's 
announcement that Akanishi has signed 
a recording deal with the label and is expected to 
unleash his first U.S. release in spring 2011.

During a press conference held at a Tokyo hotel on December 9, 
Warner's recently appointed CEO Lachie Rutherford said that 
Akanishi plans to release a single and then an album 
during the spring, under the name JIN AKANISHI. 
Warner will be handling not just the U.S. release; 
the company will be working with Akanishi 
on a global basis for both his English and Japanese works.

Last month, Akanishi successfully completed 
a 5-concert tour in the U.S. Now back in Japan, 
he will be preparing for three concerts 
at Saitama Super Arena on January 14-16 
and three more concerts at Osaka-jo Hall on January 21-23. 
Those six shows are expected to bring in 
approximately 105,000 fans combined.

Akanishi is also planning for another U.S. tour 
after his album's release, 
though nothing definite has been announced yet.