w-inds. is a Japanese pop boy band that is managed by Vision Factory and has been signed to the Pony Canyon label since 2000. The group consists of the three individuals Ryohei Chiba, Keita Tachibana, and Ryuichi Ogata. They made their formal debut in 2001 and, to date, have released 30 singles. In addition to their popularity in Japan, they have a relatively large fan base around other Asian countries (such as Taiwan and Hong Kong) and regularly make television appearances there.

Tachibana is the lead singer of the group, and initially Chiba and Ogata were to join as back-up dancers. However, throughout their career, Chiba and Ogata both gained larger roles in their music by providing back-up vocals and occasionally rapping. In 2002 together with Flame and Folder5 they compiled a short studio album titled Earth Harmony.

History

Pre-debut

Ryohei Chiba began attending a dance school in Sapporo, where he met Ryuichi Ogata, who attended at the request of his older sister. Chiba performed dances live with his friends and also made a television appearance in 1998 with his mother at a variety show, where he won the attention of all the female judges as the cutest.