INI Perve Arima to Rename to ‘Shu Fenh Fan’ on 28th Birthday, After Debut 28 Years Ago

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INI member Xu Fengfan announced on June 11, 2026, the day of his 28th birthday, that he would change his stage name from the Chinese characters 许豊凡 to the katakana シュウ・フェンファン, according to Model Press and Oricon News. The revelation coincided with the group’s ongoing activities, though no further details about the reasoning behind the name change were provided in the initial reports.

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The decision marks a shift from the Chinese characters used in his original name to a katakana representation, a common practice in Japanese entertainment for artists with non-Japanese names. Xu Fengfan, who joined INI in 2023 as part of the group’s second generation, has previously been known by his Chinese name in both domestic and international contexts. The announcement was first shared through official channels linked to the group, with outlets such as Sankei News and Yahoo! News subsequently reporting the development.

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INI, a boy band managed by Johnny & Associates, has faced scrutiny in recent years over internal management practices and member treatment. The name change comes amid broader discussions about how international artists navigate identity and branding within Japan’s structured entertainment industry. While no official statement from the group’s management addressed the specific rationale for the shift, industry observers noted that katakana names often simplify recognition for Japanese audiences.

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The move aligns with trends among other foreign-trained performers in Japan, including members of groups like A-JAX and EXO, who have adopted katakana names to better integrate into local markets. However, Xu Fengfan’s transition is notable for occurring at a time when INI has been balancing global expansion with traditional Japanese fan engagement strategies. The group’s 2026 activities, including scheduled concerts and media appearances, will now feature the new name, according to reports from Oricon News.

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Fans and critics have largely reacted with curiosity rather than controversy, with social media discussions focusing on the visual and cultural implications of the change. Some noted that the katakana version retains phonetic clarity while distancing the name from its Chinese origins, a choice that could reflect broader branding considerations. Others speculated about potential ties to the group’s upcoming projects, though no official details were confirmed.

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The announcement follows a period of heightened public attention on INI, particularly after the group’s 2025 album Re:Start achieved commercial success and charted on multiple international platforms. The name change may signal a strategic effort to reinforce a unified identity across regional markets, a move that could influence future collaborations or promotional campaigns.

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Industry analysts emphasized that such decisions are typically made in consultation with management teams, though the specifics of Xu Fengfan’s case remain unclear. Sankei News cited unnamed sources within the entertainment sector who suggested the shift could also aim to reduce confusion in media coverage, where the original Chinese characters might be mispronounced or overlooked.

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As of June 12, 2026, no further updates have been released by INI’s official accounts regarding the name change. The group’s next scheduled event, a live concert in Tokyo on July 15, will likely feature the new stage name, according to Yahoo! News. The development underscores the ongoing evolution of artist branding in Japan’s competitive entertainment landscape, where cultural adaptation often plays a critical role in long-term success.