Ayumi Hamasaki

Avex cancels Kansai concerts due to flu concerns

Wednesday 20th May, 01:00 PM JST

TOKYO —

Record label Avex announced this week that the upcoming Kansai-area concerts of several of its popular artists have been canceled due to continuing spread in the area of the H1N1 influenza virus. Thus far, six concerts have been canceled for Ayumi Hamazaki, 30, Ai Otsuka, 26, and Kumi Koda, 26. The shows would have had a total estimated attendance of around 48,000 people.

Avex originally had no plans to cancel the concerts, instead supplying anti-bacterial disinfectant at the entrance to the concert halls and mouthwash in the bathrooms. Masks would be required for any concert-goers who had coughs, sneezes or any other symptoms.

After further consideration, the company later decided to cancel the shows altogether, saying that there would be problems supplying enough masks and disinfectant to audiences. Avex said they would like to put the safety of fans first, and as of yet, very little is known about the spread of the virus. New dates for the canceled shows are currently being decided.

The H1N1 virus has already resulted in the rescheduling of concerts for boy band Kansai Johnny’s Junior. The group was originally scheduled to play four shows on May 23 and 24 at Umeda Arts Theater.

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14 Comments

shakakhan at 01:25 PM JST - 20th May

Totally Ridiculous!
shakakhan at 01:26 PM JST - 20th May

Although a concert full of mask wearing fools would have been funny to see...
soldave at 01:44 PM JST - 20th May

shakakhan - That would have been legendary.
EUgirl at 01:56 PM JST - 20th May

It is nice to see a media company showing some sense of responsibility.
combinibento at 02:01 PM JST - 20th May

I am all for having these concerts cancelled, although I admit this is only because the music is bad.
timorborder at 02:04 PM JST - 20th May

Thank god! You see there is an upside to this flu outbreak. BTW I think Johnnies made a similar decision last week. Now if NHK would just do the same for the song contest on New Year's Eve, that would be chipper.
Himajin at 02:11 PM JST - 20th May

LOL!
FryingMonkey at 02:26 PM JST - 20th May

That place would smell like a dentist office, mouth wash and hand disinfectant… BTW, what the hell happened to Ayumichan? She used to be fit and now seems to have added a kilo or 5…
Sarge at 03:18 PM JST - 20th May

"Totally Ridiculous"

How about hospitals closing because of the flu? It's happening! Can you believe that?
Ninjazilla at 03:57 PM JST - 20th May

frying monkey i know I cant believe shes only 30 wouldve thought 33 or 34 from that picture
Nessie at 04:18 PM JST - 20th May

Not a moment too soon

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8056967.stm

Students from schools and colleges in Japan shut down over fears of swine flu have been flocking to karaoke clubs to fill their new-found free time.
Himajin at 04:20 PM JST - 20th May

Geez....and to think I've been staying at home bored stiff, why didn't I think of that!?
telecasterplayer at 01:10 AM JST - 21st May

Music lovers rejoice.
Badsey at 10:06 PM JST - 21st May

This is a necessary precaution since only people that had the flu before 1957 have immunity from H1N1 strains. = In 2009 Enka may make strong comeback.