In a move that stunned fans, Japanese technopop trio Perfume chose their 20th anniversary (September 21) to announce that they will be going on an indefinite hiatus starting December 31 of this year. The shocking news, delivered on what should have been a purely celebratory day, has left the J-pop community reeling.
Perfume first formed in 1999 as a local idol group in Hiroshima before making their major label debut in 2005. They exploded onto the music scene with their signature electronic beats and synth-pop sound, crafted by producer Yasutaka Nakata. The group is behind iconic tracks like "Polyrhythm," "Chocolate Disco," and "Laser Beam."
Since 2008, they have performed at the prestigious NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen for 16 consecutive years, tying the record for the longest run by a female group, previously held by vocal duo The Peanuts. In 2019, Perfume became the first Japanese girl group to perform at Coachella, one of America's largest music festivals. They followed this up in 2023 with a performance at Primavera Sound, Europe's premier music festival, cementing their status as one of Japan's most iconic global acts.
In their official announcement, the members shared a heartfelt message:
Live performances have always been the core of everything Perfume does. We've poured our entire beings into creating moments where we can all gather in the same time and place, resonating with each other. Every time we stepped on stage, we did it with the feeling that 'this might be the last miracle,' igniting a fire within us. The time we've spent with all of you has given our lives irreplaceable meaning. One of Perfume's dreams has always been to 'leave the most brilliant version of ourselves in history.'
And now, to preserve this moment—a moment where we can proudly say 'we are shining'—we have decided to put Perfume into a state of cryosleep (a hiatus) starting in 2026. No matter what form Perfume takes, as long as the three of us are together, we will always be Perfume. To continue walking this long journey of life together, we want to become even cooler, more evolved, and take on new challenges. That's why we've decided to press pause here.
We have always prepared ourselves daily, ready to go at a moment's notice if someone told us, 'Perfume needs to be active right now.' But as we enter our 20th year, for the first time, we want to truly focus on our individual lives and explore the possibility of a 'new us.' This is a kind of time we've never considered or experienced before. So, we'll probably have to start with some 'rehab' (laughs), but the three of us are determined to take on this challenge.
The scenes we've created together with you will continue to push us forward. When we feel weak or on the verge of defeat, those memories will surely light our way. To everyone who has supported and cheered for Perfume, our hearts are filled with nothing but gratitude.
Perfume has never taken a break, and having a little time for our own lives is a true blessing for us. We hope you will support us as we pursue new dreams. All of this is so that we can become a 'new Perfume' in the future. The three of us want to become stronger and more powerful before we return. So, until the day we meet again, we hope you will watch over us warmly.
September 21, 2025
Perfume
Perfume is scheduled to hold their "Perfume ZO/Z5 Anniversary 'Nebula Romance' Episode TOKYO DOME" concert on September 22 and 23, their first performance at the Tokyo Dome in five years. This will now serve as a monumental stage for the group before they enter their "cryosleep."
After a remarkable 20-year run, the group has amassed countless fans in Japan and across the globe. While this hiatus marks a pause in their long career, it also opens the door for them to return one day with a new, evolved identity.