Exactly what they did with hitomi and she still slayed

You guys watched her latest ig stories? She’s rehearsing it seems. I don’t know if it’s Ayu the one dancing but if she is, it’s really hard to believe she’s pregnant doing that... maybe she gave birth already (?). How the heck can the dancer hold her by the stomach if she is pregnant? Lol

^ I thought maybe that's her double. Wonder what they rehearsing

^didn’t thought of that! Probably that’s the case

Maybe the dancers are rehearsing for a music video or for a tv performance for A Ballads 2 promo tv appearances :) She can only just wear a pretty dress and they will do the job.

My mind is kind of set on a PV rather than a live performance.

She's still heavily pregnant from that video of hers watching the laptop! Wonder when she's due, probably very soon now...

Ayu has been honored with the "Dark Blue Ribbon Medal" by the government for her 10 million yens donation to the National Center for Global Health and Medicine last year, according to the government page "(this medal) is awarded to individuals who have made exceptionally generous financial contributions for the good of the public.It is conferred when the occasion arises, after the Decoration Bureau of the Cabinet Office has screened the candidates recommended by relevant ministries."

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/00...0d68c66ebe3fdb

I was a bit worried seeing Ayu trending on Twitter tonight so had to come here and check everything was ok!

Nice to see her doing charitable works :)

Yeah let's see how this gets spinned into "she is seeking attention".

Most comments I've seen are positive while there a few saying things like "I don't care" or "They should also give this award to *another celebrity name*" but no direct attacks towards Ayu so far lol

That should be it’s own thread :rolleyes

I'm glad she's got this medal :) It's good in all possible ways, for publicity and in general it's nice she donated and it helped people.

I came to announce this, but you beat me to it!

I was happy to see the positive reactions from people too. Haters gonna hate, but in these last couple of years there's been a lot of positivity toward Ayu too, and I've only seen one "Look at how she's deteriorated, she should quit already!" articles in months and months. ^_^ Hopefully she's graduating out of that nonsense and settling into being a legendary veteran like Matsuda Seiko or Dolly Parton.

Ayu's dog Choko passed away at the age of 22

man, the death of a pet that had been such a family member is devastating :( this might partially explain why she's been rather quiet on social media recently.

It's so hard to lose a pet. I hope she's coping with it and has support right now. Our cat is almost 16 and has a lot of health concerns and losing him is one of my greatest nightmares.

That doggo was with her almost her entire musical journey so far. What an incredible life.

Have you ever read Clive Barker's "Coldheart Canyon"? It has the most beautiful, heart-wrenching description of a man losing his dog. The man is a star, and so the dog is the only one he knows for sure loves him for himself. It's a horror story, but the chapter where the man loses that source of affection is really beautiful.

Maybe I'm projecting on Ayu, but it would make sense that a dog with her through her entire adult life would be a huge loss.

That is so sad :(
(also, how many dogs does she have now?)