Kumi Koda performs at her comeback concert.

Singer Kumi Koda makes comeback concert

Monday 14th April, 01:37 PM JST

TOKYO —

Singer Kumi Koda, 25, returned from a self-imposed exile at a concert in Shizuoka on Saturday. It was her first public performance since she told a radio program on Jan 30 that “women over 35 had ‘rotten’ fluid in their wombs. “

After Koda made the offending remarks, her agency, Avex Entertainment, announced a halt to promotional activities for her latest album, “Kingdom,” which was released at the end of January. Kose Corp, Japan’s third-ranked cosmetics maker, halted online advertisements for its Visee brand, one of its major lineups, which features the pop star.

Before the concert, Koda tearfully apologized again for the gaffe, telling the audience: “I apologize for offending many people. I’m really sorry from the bottom of my heart. I appreciate that so many people came to my concert today. I would like to enjoy the time here with you.”

On Sunday, singer Akiko Wada, 58, who was particularly scathing in her criticism of Koda, said on her TV program, “I hope she will be careful and be successful. I think her music style will probably change after the scandal.”

7 Comments

Triumvere at 01:45 PM JST - 14th April

How bizzare. I don't understand how the industry works in Japan; she said something mildly stupid and suddenly she loses all her promotions and endorsements? How much of a hit did the record company take by droping suppoert for the records, which must have been a hit given her popularity at the time? Am I really supposed to believe that offending the 35+ market was going to put a huge dent in sales? Talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face.
rjd_jr at 02:04 PM JST - 14th April

Ewww, do J gals still sport them ugly nasty blonde hair? Does NOT look good on Koda at all!
GW at 03:57 PM JST - 14th April

Too bad Jpn doesnt hold these kind of standards for their politicians & bureaucrats, wud certainly thin those herds........Hmmmm if they did hold them to some standard wud there be any at all.....Hmmm wudnt that be a nice improvement
Ninjazilla at 07:59 PM JST - 14th April

What do her music and her comment have to do with each other?
Bogi at 09:53 PM JST - 14th April

What do her music and her comment have to do with each other? Mmm.. dunno. But I can tell you what they have in common. They both suck.
Badsey at 02:02 AM JST - 15th April

Koda: Comeback

I would like to see a more (usual) provocatively dressed Kumi please. -so what's with all the clothes? Does she have a diseased womb or something?

I honestly like the outfit (and hair), but it seems a big much for Kumi.
BlueEmbers at 07:05 PM JST - 4th June

She was portraying a mermaid, its a wig. her hair is cut about and inch under the chin and is pitch black.