[polka-dot-jewel]

I wouldn't be surprised if she has bought an apartment in Hiroo. Her Mom lives and works in Hiroo, so if she does have one, I wouldn't be surprised if it was so she could be close to her Mom (at times).

I know people who liked both BoA's and Utada's album, but it all has to do with promotion. If it isn't being promoted, and it the artist isn't so popular (esp. here in America), then it probably won't do well. But, yes, it's funny how Ayu is brought up around other J-Pop artists here in America, haha.

But, like Max said, Ayu IS practicing up on her language skills, so maybe she is preparing to take her career to the "next level" aka moving to more English-speaking places (England, USA, Canada) or other places around the world.

If she does try to perform or release music (or do both) around the world... it's very hard to say where she'll start first. Europe holds more Japanese music concerts, but Ayu has been to the USA many, many times and loves it there. She has a very interesting look, something foreigners both love and hate, and people are always very intrigued by it, so they may check out her music just because of it. They may check it out because she is known as the Queen of J-Pop, too.

In my opinion, if she WERE to release something worldwide, she might be better off with doing another "best of" compilation. She can put either her favorites or her biggest hits on a CD or two, and then have an international tour promoting it.