Band Japan

Japanese rock group X Japan has decided to postpone its concert here, a week before the scheduled event.

The X Japan Production Management Committee recently announced through the group's official Web site that the group will indefinitely delay its live concerts, which had been scheduled from March 21 to 22.

They added that ticket sales for the concert to be held in Japan would also be postponed. The Tokyo concerts were to be held on May 2 and 3.

``We will announce plans as soon as possible. We express our apologies to fans who have been waiting and anticipating,'' the committee wrote on the Web site, but without clarifying the reason for the delay or further plans.

IYESCOM Entertainment, the local concert producer, said that ``the postponement of the concert is confirmed, but we have not been given any specific details of future plans.''

The company also said they would offer a full refund for the 10,000 tickets sold for the concert.

Speculation is centered on apparent conflict between group members over the unconfirmed departure of their bassist, Heath. It is known that members are discussing whether or not to actually hold the concert.

Famous for being pioneers in the Japanese glam rock movement, X Japan made its debut in 1985, becoming one of the best-known Asian rock bands in the world, selling over 20 million albums throughout Asia. The band is currently composed of drummer and pianist Yoshiki, vocalist Toshi, guitarist Pata, and Heath. The band's original guitarist, Hide, died in 1998. The group disbanded in 1997, but regrouped early this year and announced plans for a world tour.