BoA releases Japanese mini album 'Hohaba' for her 25th Japan debut anniversary
BoA digitally released her Japanese original mini album 'Hohaba' (歩幅) on November 4, her first Japanese-original mini album in eight years and a self-produced set marking 25 years since her Japan debut.
BoA marked 25 years since her Japan debut with a new Japanese mini album. On November 4, Idol School Japan announced the digital release of 'Hohaba' (歩幅), her first Japanese-original mini album in eight years.
The project is self-produced. The PR TIMES notice says BoA took part in writing and composing the original Japanese songs and produced the set, her first self-produced Japanese work since 2010's 'IDENTITY'. The six-track digital album includes the title song, '交差点', '曦光', 'There for you', 'Ain't No Hard Feelings' and a title-track instrumental.
The official music video for 'Hohaba' was scheduled for 20:00 JST on release day via BoA Official YouTube. A physical CD follows on November 25 in a first-press limited edition, a first-press alternate-jacket edition and a standard edition.
BoA launched her independent label BApal in 2026 and continues to work as a producer for NCT WISH alongside her solo releases.
Confirmed
- Idol School Japan's November 4 PR TIMES release states BoA digitally released the Japanese original mini album 'Hohaba' (歩幅) on November 4, 2026.
- The same release says it is her first Japanese-original mini album in eight years and coincides with her 25th Japan debut anniversary.
- PR TIMES lists six tracks: 歩幅, 交差点, 曦光, There for you, Ain't No Hard Feelings, and 歩幅 - Instrumental, and says BoA took part in lyrics, composition and production as a self-produced work since 2010's 'IDENTITY'.
- PR TIMES says the title-track official music video was set for 20:00 JST on November 4 on BoA Official YouTube, with CD release on November 25 in three editions.
Reported by other outlets
- Only Hits summarizes the same release details from the PR TIMES notice, including the BApal independent label context and NCT WISH producer role.
Analysis
2FC NEWSROOM analysis: A self-produced Japanese mini album on her own label, timed to the 25th Japan-debut anniversary, is BoA reclaiming the Japan market on her own terms rather than as a standard SM Japan comeback cycle.