thank you so much for sharing the translation, koumori!

Monday it is, then.

I think its time to record a new album. To share her feelings with new music. Time to be creative has come. Cmon ayu, its very sad but its not a time to make concerts.

I can sort of imagine how it would go down, based on her announcement for TROUBLE: she would announce something like "I'm now BRIMMING with FEELINKS and READY to BIRTH a new ALBUM that encapsulates my THOTS from the past THREE YEARS"

and then turns out it's a mini-album with only three songs :luv2

^we need to manifest this. But at least 8 songs please

I’m sorry but did anyone seriously NOT see this coming? Japan’s numbers have clearly been on a terrible uptick and even my mom had to shut down her shop in Nagoya in response to it. Anyone who thinks they can get away with holding a freakin non-essential event at this time is plainly just unaware that we’re in a global PANDEMIC.

I’m sorry to hear that. I wish Japan struck down with firmer responses as opposed to mostly “suggesting” people what to do.

It depends on the country/city policy: we've been having concerts in my city for months and the cinemas are open too (with half empty rooms as a requirement), while the Covid-19 situation is bad here.
Again, probably taking a crowded bus is more dangerous.

Memorial address episode II LET'S GOOO

I heard it’s been renamed to “last minute”

Guess it was a last-minute decision.

Leaving it to Monday, I feel like they will proceed with the concert although maybe it will be online only. Everyone would feel terrible if cases were linked back to the concert and cutting transport just makes it needlessly difficult to people to move around.

Working from home seriously needs to become "a thing" for more people. I'm very lucky and have been working from home since April with minimal issues. Although I wish I had a better job to be taking home with me lmao

One of her CDL that I attended was delayed by like an hour or more (they didn't let people in on time), so why not start much earlier? I get that they will have to do without an actual countdown and some people can't make it early because of their work, but it's still much better than cancelling the event with real public.
If she wants she can even perform again after that just for the live broadcast.

you still have massive crowd that squeezes in trains afterwards.
the decision should not only be made in face of the transport problem but also the much worse covid problem as it´s gotten worse since the CDL was announced.

I wish they would just stream both concerts without an audience and allow everyone to buy a ticket. I'd love to watch the Xmas Live on Christmas Eve.

The thing is it's not just more people getting covid - they are running out of beds and it's a very real, scary problem to have:

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2...-1st-time.html

Here in NYC we had to use rental moving trucks just to store dead bodies when Covid was at its worst here. Sit on that for a second

I will be really disapointed with her if both concerte still have an audience in face of the current issues.

Yea, well, in that case I'd obviously prefer her to perform without an audience and just fill up the seats with lightsticks. I know I said I'd rather have her perform earlier but with an audience but I didn't really know how bad the situation is over there, as well. I thought Japan was handling it quite well. Things are really bad here, so concerts aren't even up for discussion – seeing as Japan is struggling, too, it only makes sense to have her perform without an audience. That way all of the team's hard work won't go to waste either.

Ayu's show is one and done, but crowded public transportation is a daily life. I probably wouldn't attend myself, but I don't see it as something very dangerous if you follow the rules.

People taking risks daily isn't a valid reason to putting them through MORE risks. Even more for a totally superfluous reason like a music concert.

I don't get all the whining. It's not a must-to-go meeting, no one force people to buy ticket and go to dangerous place. That's all their decision. If you don't agree with taking a risk, just don't go, the best way to say to company you don't like sething is to stop giving it money.

That's quite a way of downplaying the seriousness of covid tho. You don't just "voluntarily" not give Covid to someone. You are putting all your family members, friends and coworkers at risk which in and of itself is a selfish behavior and should absolutely be discouraged.

This. I feel so sorry for the people who bought tixs but this should not be happening especially when Ayu is supposedly pregnant? It just seems so irresponsible.

I think it’s pretty clear the concerts won’t be held with an audience. Maybe they will still take place, but streamed. And probably they’re discussing what platform to use, etc. That’s my bet.

People already discussed the whole thing above here, but I want to reinforce something: this is not only an individual issue. People who are exposed to Covid by going to public events is harming not only themselves but the whole community. I lost my grandma yesterday because of this fucking disease and this is not a joke. It's serious.

Well, we all know avex is financially struggling with the lack of profit they earn because of concerts and that's one of the reasons they didn't cancel it already, but I hope they convert the tickets in some "promotion" for future concerts + a ticket for streaming of this show without audience or refund. It's about saving lives.

I'm not sure why having an audience would ever be an option to her right now. If she goes through with this then I think it's the most selfish thing I've witnessed her do since I became a fan. The pandemic has exposed the carelessness of a lot of people, and I really hope this isn't a time when ayu is revealed to be someone who doesn't care about the lives and families of her fans. I would be extremely disappointed.

Instead of judging people going to the CDL as irresponsible or calling Ayu / Avex selfish to keep this concert with an audience, I'm more concerned about the hypocrisy of this society, how dumb/illogical/nonsense some of these decisions can be (talking about shutting venues, limiting traffic after work hours...)

Sorry if I don't share your point of view, but I still don't understand (and probably will never?) how it's considered "OK" to take crowded trains and buses every day for work, while the latest Koda Kumi's tour (with 2 shows in that same venue, Yoyogi Stadium) proved to be way safer.
I'll need the reasoning behind a concert being harmful, just like going to a beach or a mountain was forbidden in some countries and not going to the supermarket or train stations.

I don't need to take just any action just for the sake of taking an action : I need this action to be effective.
IMO, a concert with no audience is not a solution, because a concert with audience isn't a problem by itself, if things are done well, and they sure seem to be by Avex.
If I had the chance to go to this concert, I'd definitely go (just my opinion, no facts provided here).

With trains and metro not running, there’s no way they’ll have the concert at the scheduled time.

They could make it start earlier, but honestly I think it’ll be an online event.

Sending people into packed trains for school and work is an issue with the Japanese government, but should we let that be the excuse for more reckless, unnecessary events? Having concerts with no audience is the most responsible, humane way of going about a non-essential event in a PANDEMIC. Be glad we even have this option...

I definitely agree. This concert is non essential and just unnecessary. People can argue that seeing ayu live would cheer them up at a difficult time and I get that, I really do, but it's not right to put yourself and other people in danger just because you want to see one of your favorite performers live and get some mental relief for a short bit from everything going on in the world.

If you think that holding a concert right now isn't dangerous and "not that bad" even with safety precautions then I'd recommend educating yourself more on Covid-19. Like others have said, this is not a joke. This isn't people making a big deal out of nothing like they like to do sometimes. This is 100% real and people are losing their lives. All unnecessary events like this should not be happening.

This for sure will be an endless conversation about it, even tho most people discussing are viewing the situation from their own perspectives and their own locations and how things are being handled there.

Is interesting that people think it's okay for some people to work and use packed transportation, but when it comes to people who works in the entertainment industry (not talking about the big acts, but people from behind the scenes) this type of job is is dammed as forbidden and unnecessary, even tho they are taking all the precautions for things to happen and they can go back to work. We can even go further and go the event sports, which has been happening for this last season with the same precautions of an even such as a concert (https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/...ympics-corona/), or amusement parks (https://www.usj.co.jp/web/en/us/attr...12%2F23%2F2020) or even public spaces such as parks and all.

For some people this is their job, and by not giving a chance when they are trying to adapt to the current situation, it is just gonna make things worse economy-wise.

@Toniayu123 The concert will be streamed anyway (if it happens), by the platform https://thumva.com/

Nobody in here is saying it's ok for people to take packed public transportation for working. Thing is, those people tend to have no choice about that because those actually making money from all of this aren't putting themselves in risk aswell.

Still, people having to put themselves in risk out of fear of not getting any money shouldn't be an excuse to put other in risk in order to see a pop concert. There are ways of dealing with this limitation reducing the risks considerably, and people should not be exposed to covid because Avex, or the whole japanese music industry, wasn't able to adapt to the digital era and is on the verge of closing doors.

As a side note, it seems like the only places where it's safe to hold regular concerts nowadays are Mainland China and Taiwan.

This is from Jolin's concert from just 1/2 months ago in Taiwan - fully packed:

Whatever ends up happening today/tomorrow... hopefully it's the best decision to make.

Your predictions? Cancellation, earlier start, online only?

Thank you! Like, seeing some user arguing about people going to WORK compared to a pop concert and I'm sitting here thinking "...what the eff?" Obviously both scenarios aren't ideal... but one is a necessity. The other isn't.

I also agree with your second point about the Japanese industry not adapting. The fact that they're only starting to NOW shows just how out of touch they are and even then they still haven't reached the level the rest of the world has digitally.

Not sure about the xmas live but I think the CDL will be held at its supposed starting time without an audience. I can see them do what they did for the TROUBLE FINAL.

both concerts will go on, but without an audience.

Emergency press conference doesn’t sound good, I think Tokyo will declare another state of emergency. The Kansai region also went into one today.

If the government declares it, then there will be no events.

Does no events also contain online events?
But to be honest it´s better to completly cancel events instead of the transportation thing. I don´t know how it is in Japan but here it´s easier to cancel contracts and such then (like with the venue, etc)

Well if it’s like the nationwide state of emergency in April I don’t think production will happen at all. But if it’s just an emergency for the metropolis who knows

Avex won’t want bad press, as when the government puts out requests business will follow it to prevent public shaming.

Edit: Koda kumi’s countdown in Osaka was just cancelled and so was the streaming, so I think we can expect the same for Ayu

holy shit. then that does sound like the likely decision for both of the upcoming concerts :(

EDIT:

SEE NEW ANNOUNCEMENT—it seems they're both going to go on, just without audience? (This is based on Google Translate)

^ yes, just that the Christmas live will be streamed on youtube but no recording crews were planned originally. So on such short notice they will organise sth but are asking to expect worse video and sound quality than normally. Countdown goes on on Thumva as planned. Yay :)

thanks for confirming! I guess this is the least-worst scenario for people who have bought tickets for the live performances.

It will be no-audience live

Very content with this.

She must be really sad about the sudden change on plans. But I'm glad it's for the best!

Very glad that both shows will still happen. So the Chrismas one will be streamed for free? I wonder how Ayu will sound live VS pre-recorded shows we witnessed.

quite interested to see ayu performing to an empty Yoyogi stadium

It's nothing new to her though, dress rehearsals and stuff. We probably have such footage in some bonus materials. Although I have no idea how it looks after renovation.

I mean, it was obvious from the beginning Corona Virus was going nowhere, and now everybody is acting surprised for some reason. Although I think no one can deny the government feels okay in sacrificing essencial workers but not concert goers

So glad to hear this! :love

Does thumva works for overseas audience?

It worked for Ai Otsuka's live, and since then it has become easier to get a ticket as well - you just need a Japanese zip code.

This is available only for the PC version, the mobile app is region locked.

I got my ticket, hopefully there won't be a need for a VPN but from the information we currently have, it will work without one.

^ I think someone posted a guide on how to sign up for thumva without a real Japanese zip code earlier in this thread. I followed it and i was able to get a ticket. The test video worked for me without having to use Japan vpn.

Check this twitter thread :) https://twitter.com/WeLoveAiOtsuka/s...31564289232896

Just take any japanese zip code xD I took the one from my tenso address xD

^ lol that's brilliant! I have a tenso address too so I could've done the same haha, but it's good to know for next time. I was just referencing the twitter link that maxikot posted, since it was useful to me when signing up, just couldn't remember who originally posted it. I think you could plug any numbers into the zip code field as long as it's in the correct convention. Either way, I'm super stoked for the countdown live and it's nice to be able to buy an official stream ticket and watch it without having to first find and then pay a secondary service to gain access to a region-restricted cable channel.

Thank you for sharing this link! Just got my ticket and I can't wait till thursday. :love

I hope she sounds as good as she did this week.

Cancellation Notification for the ayumi hamasaki COUNTDOWN LIVE 2020-2021 A ～MUSIC for LIFE～ Broadcast


Thank you for your continued support of ayumi hamasaki.

ayumi hamasaki and her staff have been preparing for the live countdown broadcast scheduled for Thursday, December 31.
However, Monday, December 28, one of our support members felt ill, and the results of a subsequent PCR test found that they were infected with the novel coronavirus.
We immediately reported the case to the public health center of our jurisdiction, and they are currently undergoing medical treatment and observation under the guidance of the public health center.

Those who have likely been in close contact with the virus include ayumi hamasaki, who participated in rehearsals, the backup band, and nearby staff. For this reason, ayumi hamasaki, the backup band, and all affiliated staff members who were in close contact have taken PCR tests and are currently waiting on the results.
Whatever the results of these tests may be, the healthcare center later determined that ayumi hamasaki herself qualifies as someone who has been in close contact with infected persons.

Due to the fact that ayumi hamasaki will not be able to perform a period of time, we have no choice but to cancel the ayumi hamasaki COUNTDOWN LIVE 2020-2021 A ～MUSIC for LIFE～ broadcast.
We apologize for the inconvenience, and ask fans their understanding.


We will begin refunding tickets to those who purchased spots for the performance broadcast.

CDL just got canceled....

I'm so disappointed.

What a horrible twist. Was looking forward to the show. One financial loss for AVEX after another.

I’m concerned for Ayu and all her staff :(
I hope they’ll all be okay :(

This is a scary situation and I think they will be doing the live at some point but I really hope everyone will be fine.

My thoughts are with her staff and everybody in general affected by the current situation.

This is scary, but I guess the safety of everyone is more important than anything else. Hopefully no one else in ayu's troupe catches Covid.

Oh no, I hope everyone’s fine :(

Disappointing but totally understandable. Hope the member of staff recovers and that everyone else is OK!

This is too bad but totally understandable. I hope she will be able to perform the show at some point. It's a lovely theme.

2021 is 20th Anniversary of A BEST, maybe she can hold the show on the 28th March, maybe even with audience, it´s a sunday^^

oh no, hope everyone is okay, specially ayu who's pregnant. pray for all of them.

Too bad that the CDL, out of all concerts, had to get cancelled... Yea, they could do it at a later date but I think the countdown is an important factor of the show. It really adds to the hype, so it's incredibly unfortunate that they had to cancel it. :(
If they want to hold it at a later date, then I assume it's going to be relatively soon (assuming nobody else is sick) because I think there will be a few months where Ayu can't perform due to pregnancy/giving birth. Unless she wants to do a PL 2.0 (which I loved but she was very exhausted afterwards).

I hope that nobody else got infected. Especially since Ayu is pregnant... Even if she were to have a 'light' version of the virus, it would definitely take its toll on her health. Pregnancy is already a lot to deal with for one's body...

She can sing on Zoom meeting and broadcast by herself.
Like what ladygaga did.

I hope she would not affect by this. Coronavirus can be very dangerous to pregnant women.

Wait what? There was going to be a band? :weep Could be just the chorus tho

Hope everyone is ok. I doubt They reschedule the concert anytime soon. They’ve learned the lesson the hard way.

Yeah, the band was shown rehearsing a bit ago. Yocchan and everyone.

how truly awful that that one staff member got infected. I hope they are eventually OK and I hope they did not end up infecting many in the company, especially not the pregnant ayu. this must be such a disappointing blow for her—first the cancellation of the in-person concert and now the cancellation of the concert altogether :(

so sorry for everyone who has purchased tickets. this is just very sad news.

I hope she and her team don't even have to recover to begin with but if any of them have it, then I truly wish for them all to return to full health (and also that they have light process).

Oh nooo! That's so terrifying. :( I, myself, have been in contact with someone that had the virus and didn't knew and waiting for the result of my test was pure torture. Hope she and all the staff will be safe and covid-free!

I think getting some rest would be better. Even if she is not infected, let's just be careful rn.

That's really unfortunate, I was counting the days for the show :( but everybody's health now is more important and I hope everything turns out fine.

^Agreed. Plus, I don't think it would be a proper 'replacement' to begin with.

Hope everyone involved in this is well or recovering, it's sad that the concert had to be cancelled even as a digital event.

It would be nice if avex could stream, or even just the fans could "get together" to watch, her CDL 2000-2001, in celebrations of (almost) 20 years of her CDLs.

I believe ayu was really careful. Hope she didn't catch virus and will not bring it home to small child and kinda old mother. She should be around 60 now?

Yes, Mariko should be in her early 60s. I think she was around 20 when she had Ayu.

I see no point in rescheduling the show. More likely it could be adapted into another tour later.

I hope everyone is safe!
There's been no social activity from her or staff/Ichiza since the announcement came, I really hope they don't feel isolated...

I think TA messages of encouragement should help.

These are really sad times and the symbolism that the CDL has to Ayu cannot be replaced by a concert done two weeks after. I will love any live from her, of course, but I feel that at this time it's more important for her to rest and stay safe.

This year continues to be sad and stressful to the very end it seems...

^I suspect there is going to be a TA update from Ayu once they know the results.

Yesssss :(

Damn that's such a disappointment for everyone, most of all for ayu herself :( She was clearly having a rough day on the Xmas concert but she persevered for the CDL as well. Maybe they can incorporate the plans into an anniversary concert or something?

I hope the staff are all safe, Covid is no joke and pregnant women already have to worry about a lower immune system for the pregnancy. Could be devastating if she contracts it or any of the staff's elderly family members get it.

I hope the insurance Avex has on these live events is sufficient to cover the losses of streaming and (presumably) the later DVD/BD sales.

I really hope that she doesn’t get sick :(

Praying that Ayu will come out of this alright.

Regarding the PCR test results for ayumi hamasaki, Support Members, and Surrounding Staff


Thank you very much for your continual support for ayumi hamasaki

Regarding the no-audience countdown Livestream "ayumi hamasaki COUNTDOWN LIVE 2020-2021 A ～MUSIC for LIFE～" that was scheduled for December 31st, because a support member felt uncomfortable about their physical condition on December 28th (Mon). Upon undergoing a PCR test, it was determined that this member had been infected with the novel Coronavirus. For this reason, it has been decided that this performance will be canceled.

As announced yesterday, it was reported to the local juridictional health center that a support member had become infected, those participating in the rehearsal, ayumi hamasaki, support members and surrounding staff all underwent the PCR test and as of December 30th (Wed), although ayumi hamasaki tested negative, 5 amongst the support and surrounding staff tested positive.

Up to now, we have been rehearsing for this performance under the advice of experts undergoing daily temperature measurement for all people involved in the rehearsal, strict disinfection as well as ventilation, and also requiring all staff other than the performers to wear masks. As for the performers, they were asked to ensure that other than when the performance required them to be maskless, that masks were worn, and ensure that a distance was kept between members when possible as per the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare so as to exercise maximum caution to prevent infection with the Novel Coronavirus.
In addition, the same system was adopted for the venue of the "ayumi hamasaki Special SHOWCASE ~ Xmas Eve 2020 ~" that was held on December 24th (Thu) as well as at the rehearsal site, and all parties concerned made sure to follow infection prevention measures.

However, in the end, infections were detected as described above.
The specific details of the infection route are unknown, but we deeply apologize for this situation.

At the present time, the support member and surrounding staff who were found to be infected are showing mild symptoms, but we are keeping watch of developments as they recuperate and recover while following the instructions of health centers and medical institutions.

Also, ayumi hamasaki and others who tested negative in the PCR tests but were deemed by the health center to be in close contact with infected persons are self-isolating and refraining from going outside their homes.

Also, the rehearsal studio and venue for "ayumi hamasaki Special SHOWCASE ~ Xmas Eve 2020 ~" have also been disinfected at regular intervals and the disinfection has been completed again.



We sincerely apologize to all the people who have always supported us as well as to all those involved for the inconvenience and concern caused.



Avex Management Inc.

So ayu herself is fine but 5 staff tested positive. Hope they recover completely.

And of the 5 only 1 "felt" ill, so 80% were possibly asymptomatic? That's terrifying...

I'm relieved that Ayu (and thus, her baby) are fine but still, several members are infected. :( It could've ended a lot worse, though, so I'm glad they took immediate action. I truly hope that all of them will recover fully. :heart

Thanks God Ayu is negative. I still can’t understand how a person can be freaking asymptomatic and another can die, weirdest virus ever.

so so glad ayu tested negative and I hope the five staff members recover soon. from what I read, even these so-called "mild" symptoms are actually quite taxing for your body and mental state.

this virus is so so terrifying. even when you've done all these precautions, you could still catch it and infect others. this is why I get so furious whenever I see or read accounts of people not taking this disease seriously—they're a danger to themselves and others.