entertainment

Ayumi Hamasaki to skip 'Kohaku Uta Gassen' for first time in 15 years

21 Comments

Pop diva Ayumi Hamasaki, 36, who has appeared on NHK's popular New Year's Eve "Kohaku Uta Gassen" for the past 15 years, announced earlier this week that she would not be appearing on the gala show this year.

Hamasaki made the announcement three days before the line-up was revealed by NHK on Wednesday.

Hamasaki prefaced her announcement by saying that she wanted to be up front with her fans and give them the full story, not the words of some newspaper or rumor mill, Sports Nippon reported. Her tweet read, "This is it, I am graduating from the NHK Hall!"

Hamasaki said, "NHK and I deliberated for some time about this, and mutually agreed that the timing would be perfect and that this would be the best way for me to part ways with the 'Kohaku' tradition. I feel truly refreshed to be able to leave on such good terms."

She concluded her tweet with an uplifting note and reassured fans that she would continue to look forward to the bright future ahead of her, " ...And here I thought this Tweet would be a disaster, but not at all. lol!"

The artist later posted on her official fan website home page, that by "decreasing the number of things I am involved in, I believe this action will allow me to focus more on the things I am truly passionate about rather than doing things I feel obligated to do. For this opportunity and all your support, I am truly thankful to you all."

Hamasaki, who made her "Kohaku" debut in 1998, said she had begun feeling the pressure of having to do it every year, and that she felt truly relieved to be free of the responsibility.

As a follow-up to the bittersweet news, Hamasaki told her fans that they would have much to look forward to as she plans on expanding her sphere of influence and artistic expression in not just Japan, but throughout the Asian region.

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21 Comments
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"It's not you it's me."

4 ( +4 / -0 )

She isn't skipping, she was not invited. Big difference.

12 ( +13 / -1 )

Maybe someone realised she can't actually sing. Not that that is usually a disqualifying condition.

8 ( +9 / -2 )

Maybe someone realised she can't actually sing.

Going by the lineup, I don't think so.

12 ( +14 / -2 )

Now if SMAP would only find a dark rock to hide under....

0 ( +0 / -0 )

She is expecting Pregnant Isaw her in Westwood with her husband! Now that the real reason why she is not appearing you heard it here first

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Graduating from NHK Hall? Why is the word "graduation" used in Japan when people talk about quiting their jobs or in this case, not being part of an event anymore?

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Still nice to look at though.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I don't blame her. I'm going to skip Kohaku Uta Gassen for the 15th time in 15 years.

8 ( +9 / -2 )

I'm surprised she lasted so long.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Very important news this is, wonder if it is alos on BBC and CNN.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Ayumi is always my go-to example when explaining the term "has-been" to my students.

The Kohaku is my go-to example for explaining words like "formulaic," "stale" and "tacky."

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Indeed interesting choice of words, since "graduation" is usually used about "talent" mill layoffs.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Perhaps she watched a video of last year's Kohaku and had a moment of clarity.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

The only ones that get on Kohaku are artists that:

Have the year's most popular songs

In Johnny's

legends, enka legends in particular

singing popular kiddie songs

members of a popular NHK drama

maybe 1 foreign singer if lucky

She doesn't fall into any of those categories

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Anyone is entitled to making the most out of this life, of course with respect to others, and Ayumi sure has been doing fine. She does have her fans in and out of Japan.

Ayumi is always my go-to example when explaining the term "has-been" to my students

.

The Kohaku is my go-to example for explaining words like "formulaic," "stale" and "tacky."

She "has been" around as long as some guys have been (LUCKY) selling saliva in her country.

Graduating from NHK Hall? Why is the word "graduation" used in Japan when people talk about quiting their jobs or in this case, not being part of an event anymore?

You don't seem to know the secondary meaning of "graduate." Are you one of those native "teachers"?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

What a hard life she must be having to be relieved of not have the responsibility to sing a song or two.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I like see tht Kouhaku every year, because Kouhaku is many singer is sing a songs and new singer is sing for Kouhaku. I like ENKA “YOZAKURAOSHITI” and J POP singer Nana Mizuki her song is very nice I have a Nana Mizuki CD. <> I’m so fun she sing for Kouhaku.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I sure won't miss her- after all I only lusted for her body!LOL!!!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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