JYP Entertainment launched its first Japanese boy group, Nexz, on Monday, marking the agency's first boy group debut in six years. Comprising six Japanese nationals and one South Korean national born and raised in Japan, the members were selected through the "Nizi Project Season 2" audition program, which was aired on YouTube and Hulu Japan last year. This initiative is part of JYP Entertainment's "Globalization by Localization" project, which aims to localize K-pop in various countries, including Japan. During a press conference in Seoul, Yu expressed their sense of responsibility as the first boy group to debut after the popular K-pop boy group Stray Kids under JYP Entertainment. Nexz's name is derived from "next" and "generation," symbolizing their aspiration to shape the future alongside the new generation. Despite the Japanese and Korean background of the members, the entire press conference was conducted in Korean, showcasing their dedication to communication with the Korean audience. Nexz debuted with the single album "Ride the Vibe," featuring the title track, "Ride the Vibe," which explores diverse electronic sounds and conveys the group's emotions as they embark on their K-pop journey. The single album also includes the b-side track "Starlight," an R&B number that depicts the group's passion as akin to a starry night. Nexz members expressed their eagerness to showcase their diverse charms and vocal characteristics on stages worldwide, emphasizing their willingness to embrace new challenges and make a name for themselves in the global music scene.