Recent cancellations of Japanese music events in Shanghai have generated considerable backlash from fans, some of whom labeled the decisions as “rude” and “extreme.” The situation became particularly notable when singer Maki Otsuki was abruptly stopped during her performance of a theme from the popular anime One Piece. As the lights and music ceased mid-song, crew members rushed her off stage.
In a separate incident, pop star Ayumi Hamasaki performed to an empty 14,000-seat stadium after her concert was unexpectedly canceled by organizers, who cited “force majeure.” Both cancellations occur amid rising diplomatic tensions between China and Japan, intensified by remarks from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi concerning Taiwan. Takaichi has been an outspoken critic of China’s regional actions and indicated that Japan may consider military action in the event of a Chinese attack on Taiwan, which Beijing regards as part of its territory.
Otsuki’s management attributed her performance interruption to “unavoidable circumstances,” stating that despite the cancellation, local staff were courteous and supportive. The three-day music festival in Shanghai faced further cancellations, with organizers from Japan’s Kyodo News indicating that various factors were taken into account for the decisions.
Responses on social media have varied. Some fans expressed disappointment over the cancellations, with comments regarding the impact on Chinese audiences. Others raised nationalist sentiments, questioning why the event was allowed to take place at a time of heightened tensions.
Hamasaki, despite the circumstances, performed to an empty venue as a gesture of appreciation for her team and expressed a belief in entertainment’s role as a unifying force. Additionally, Chinese state media had previously announced that the release of several popular Japanese anime films would be postponed, reflecting the broader cultural fallout from the ongoing diplomatic dispute.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c997n2zlegzo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss