Speaking at an event in Tokyo for his jewelry brand's latest collection, X Japan leader Yoshiki made an unexpected announcement. When guitarist SUGIZO appeared on stage as a surprise guest, Yoshiki revealed that the band intends to base their activities in Los Angeles.

X Japan had aimed to expand their international presence during the early '90s, but after some setbacks and the death of guitarist hide, the band broke up in 1997. Since their reunion in 2007, they have scheduled multiple overseas concerts, but most had to be postponed for various reasons.

At the end of last month, Yoshiki announced that the band is set to finally make their U.S. debut with a performance at rock festival Lollapalooza, being held in Chicago on August 6-8, 2010. However, at the event in Tokyo, Yoshiki hinted that their first U.S. performance might be sooner than that, saying that they are considering playing at a small live house in Los Angeles in the near future.

Of the band's members, Yoshiki has already been living in Los Angeles for a while. Although he said that the rest of the members plan to move there in order to establish the city as their base, he did not give a specific timeline for the move.