Quote:
Originally Posted by DeepRiver
I am her fan since 2004 ... 14 looooong years! ... these are sad times ... 
but i think we will have a comeback ... in 5 or maybe 10 years ... She is a true performer ... I do not think she will leave the stage forever ... |
That doesn't usually happen in Japan. When artists specifically use the word, intai (retirement), they usually stay that way.
Anyway, I first heard Namie in 1994/1995 because I was living overseas on one of the military bases there. But I was a child and didn't speak much Japanese so I didn't actually become a fan until the 2000s. It's been over 14 years since then and I have seen her live many times. Even though she is retiring, it still hasn't quite hit me yet. Although, I agree with the decision; she hasn't seemed to enjoy herself on stage in several years now.