Hamasaki Ayumi and Avex face investigation by Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department

[zyoeru]

I think people should just stop arguing over this. TA have already said Ayumi isn't at fault, so why are people so adamant on blaming her? Jeeze.
Using the "quote" is ludicrous also. Don't we all realise that tabloids are ruining people's lives over rumours everyday?

Wasn't it the tabloids about 20 years ago who were ruining peoples' lives with rumours of them being Communist or being homosexual? Well tabloids today are even worse. 8-)

[truehappiness]

People in Japan give a hoot because it's in the mainstream media and for some reason in China, let alone the great number of fans there

We don't know that for sure though.

[ArchangelLegend]

Originally Posted by truehappiness

We don't know that for sure though.

You're right, we don't know for certain what those people feel. I was just stating the fact that it is major news in the mainstream media (as well as other Asain countries), and therefore I can only assume people will have strong feelings about this. And many people are easily influenced by the media and you probably know several examples. I wish that the media would stop making a controversy out of this because they can affect her image, so we can only expect apologies from her team. What she says can be seen as something good or something bad, and the media chose the latter. And they can label things that shouldn't be, like "scandal". To me some "scandals" are just misunderstandings like in this case. Any celebrity then should be aware of what they do in public especially when people like to criticize others for anything they do, even the opposite.

I was only critical of Ayu for her shallowness. Nothing more. No, I'm not saying she should apoloigize for walking down the street. Instead, I wanted her to acknowledge that maybe she had forgotten or didn't realize about the safety issues involved and just pay that fine. If that happened, there's not much to criticize because she was honest and paid the fine like what any good citizen would do. However, her reaction did not display that and the media will pick up on that and turn it into something it should not have been. That was my concern and this is my way to show concern for Ayu, so please do not misinterpret what I said.

[jimex289]

ImpactBreaker, I don't think the amniotic fluid incident with Koda Kumi had anything to do with her sales figures like you so nicely put it that she "couldn't sell a spoon" afterwards. Her popularity peaked during the years of 2006-2007. We know that after peaks there comes decline. I admit that incident did slow her down considerably for two months, but she's obviously selling enough to get #1 and #2 spots on the charts. She would still be considered one of avex's biggest artists atm as well. We can't even know for sure if the decline in her sales was just a natural occurence, or if it was due to that incident because there are always fluctuations in artists' sales.

Just so this post isn't off topic, IMHO the Kuu incident was a lot worse than this one in terms of "imagine tarnishing" is concerned. The fallout immediately after the incident was pretty apparent from the get go. She got almost all of her contracts with companies severed and basically pissed off a whole bunch of women, some of whom were not even fond of her to begin with. How is this incident different? There are a lot more parties people can blame; it could obviously be Ayu, Japan's beloved idol, it could also be her fans, her staff, the event organizers, even the police for being so incompetent that day. Anyway you look at it with Kuu, that came directly out of her mouth and hers alone.

[njanjayrp]

This is clearly going nowhere.

[ImpactBreaker]

Originally Posted by njanjayrp

This is clearly going nowhere.

It doesn't have to go anywhere. This is a board to dicuss things. Not a train with a destination. The dicussion can continue even if it doesn't go anywhere if people keep it civil and do not spam. Anyone can come here and voice their opinions, be it they agree with the whole thing, or disagree with points, otherwise this thread would have been closed already. A thread that is all praising doesn't go anywhere, and there's a lot of those in AHS, and people keep on posting in them without others complaining.

Originally Posted by jimex289

ImpactBreaker, I don't think the amniotic fluid incident with Koda Kumi had anything to do with her sales figures like you so nicely put it that she "couldn't sell a spoon" afterwards. Her popularity peaked during the years of 2006-2007. We know that after peaks there comes decline. I admit that incident did slow her down considerably for two months, but she's obviously selling enough to get #1 and #2 spots on the charts. She would still be considered one of avex's biggest artists atm as well. We can't even know for sure if the decline in her sales was just a natural occurence, or if it was due to that incident because there are always fluctuations in artists' sales.

By the terms I used, I think you should have noticed I'm making a joke. I'm not saying it severely hurt her sales, but her sales declines was extremly obvious after the incident, plus I'm sure kuu lost a lot of money from contracts that were cancelled. There's no proof whether it was just the usual expected decline after plateau peak that happened, but it was kinda coincidental that her popularity dropped at quite a considerable ammount after the event, and her career definitely isn't as strong as prior that. I agree with the other part of your post though.

[njanjayrp]

Originally Posted by ImpactBreaker

A thread that is all praising doesn't go anywhere, and there's a lot of those in AHS.
.

I'd say it's quite the opposite.

People have been repeating the same things the last 5 pages here. It's quite amusing that now people are comparing this to the KK x fluids incident. It doesn't really matter if people think if all this is wrong or right, whatever happens I am sure that in 3 days the Japanese public will forget about this "incident", that is as soon as they get a hotter headline. Clearly, as TA blog stated Ayu had no part in planning the event, it is pointless to keep pointing fingers at her. Plus don't you think it's weird they almost waited a month to put this in headlines?

[ayumisrael]

I'm glad for the Team ayu's message.

I knew and said myself (and all of us kind of knew) that it wasn't ayu's job to ask for the permission and the whole incident isn't her fault, totally innocent.

[jimex289]

Hmm it's because that incident and this one share some similarities...namely two big name artists are under fire from some kind of scandal. That and they both happen to be avex artists. As far back as I can remember that incident with Kuu is the most significant recent scandal along with SMAP's Tsuyoshi Kusanagi. It's only natural people start drawing some comparisons I think, especially those interested in knowing the damage that could possibly result from a scandal involving a big name celebrity. Somewhere inside me is saying this won't be half as bad as the other two I mentioned, which is definitely a good sign.

Just so everyone is on the same page as me:

A scandal is a widely publicized incident that involves allegations of wrongdoing, disgrace, or moral outrage. A scandal may be based on reality, the product of false allegations, or a mixture of both.

Source: wikipedia

[njanjayrp]

Originally Posted by jimex289

Hmm it's because that incident and this one share some similarities...namely two big name artists are under fire from some kind of scandal. That and they both happen to be avex artists. As far back as I can remember that incident with Kuu is the most significant recent scandal along with SMAP's Tsuyoshi Kusanagi. It's only natural people start drawing some comparisons I think, especially those interested in knowing the damage that could possibly result from a scandal involving a big name celebrity. Somewhere inside me is saying this won't be half as bad as the other two I mentioned, which is definitely a good sign.

Just so everyone is on the same page as me:

Yeah, well people in Japan actually cared enough about the Ku and SMAP scandals so it didn't take ages to report about those. All I am saying is that this has been blown out of proportions and is in no way similar to what the SMAP guy did.

[jbrat2219]

Originally Posted by Maxker

Update: From TeamAyu:

"According to some news organizations, there was an recent event which included Ayumi Hamasaki in a negative way. However, Ayumi Hamasaki was not involved in the planning and managment of the event, and will not be prosecuted for the incident. We regret the concern caused to all the fans of Ayumi Hamasaki, we urge you to understand this situation." - The office of Team Ayu.

Thank you Maxker for the update Unfortunately, it didn't put this whole nonsense to rest xD;.

Originally Posted by ArchangelLegend

I was only critical of Ayu for her shallowness. Nothing more. No, I'm not saying she should apologize for walking down the street. Instead, I wanted her to acknowledge that maybe she had forgotten or didn't realize about the safety issues involved and just pay that fine. If that happened, there's not much to criticize because she was honest and paid the fine like what any good citizen would do. However, her reaction did not display that and the media will pick up on that and turn it into something it should not have been. That was my concern and this is my way to show concern for Ayu, so please do not misinterpret what I said.

I don't understand, no one expected that big of a turn out and there were no reported safety issues that we know of, but because whoever was in charge (which we now know was not her) of the event didn't obtain proper permission you want her to acknowledge she didn't realize or "forgot" when it wasn't her job to realize or remember in the first place? I'm not trying to be over defensive, I'm just struggling to grasp your point... =/

I mean if they got the permission and there was the same exact outcome, would you expect her to do the same thing?

And if you're saying that she didn't acknowledge in the quote she supposedly gave to the tabloid, 1) that could have been taken out of context 2) the way I interpret it, she felt she didn't need specific permission to be there because she thought it was already taken care of, so she should be able to go where she wants (for the event or for whatever was cleared to her knowledge). You don't have to agree, we obviously view it two totally different ways.

[ArchangelLegend]

Originally Posted by jbrat2219

I don't understand, no one expected that big of a turn out and there were no reported safety issues that we know of, but because whoever was in charge (which we now know was not her) of the event didn't obtain proper permission you want her to acknowledge she didn't realize or "forgot" when it wasn't her job to realize or remember in the first place? I'm not trying to be over defensive, I'm just struggling to grasp your point... =/

I mean if they got the permission and there was the same exact outcome, would you expect her to do the same thing?

And if you're saying that she didn't acknowledge in the quote she supposedly gave to the tabloid, 1) that could have been taken out of context 2) the way I interpret it, she felt she didn't need specific permission to be there because she thought it was already taken care of, so she should be able to go where she wants (for the event or for whatever was cleared to her knowledge). You don't have to agree, we obviously view it two totally different ways.

The unexpected turn out, if it was one, isn't the problem. There were no reported safety issues because fortunately nothing happened. The fine is there because it was possible that the road blocks can prevent other police, medics, firemen, etc. to their destination on time if there was an emergency (like its possible for speeding to cause accidents, so there's a fine even though no accidents happened).

And they did have permission for the event. The problem is the scope or the range in which they can use the area. When Ayu started walking around, that went beyond the scope. That caused road blocks that were unintended.

I would say more here, but I don't want to farthur repeat myself since I already explain my views earlier. But I want to thank you for trying to understand. I rather have someone understand and disagree with me, and not someone agreeing with me while not understand what I'm saying. Thank you.



I have no factual basis for my opinion within this spoiler, so don't quote me on this as I can easily be wrong.

Spoiler:

"Ayumi Hamasaki was not involved in the planning and management of the event..." - office of team Ayu

I really believe that's false. She's the center of attention who's actually promoting herself in front of the people live, so she has to be part of the planning and management. She done so in the past. That's like saying she has no part in producing her concerts, in which some concerts she had taken full credit for. This is just the office of team Ayu trying to make her image like it was before. If I were them, I would do the same thing and put as much blame toward someone that no one knows publicly. That way whatever the media makes up, it will die down faster. In other words, they told a white lie to counter the media. Let's face it, in the entertainment world, there are many lies and this may be one of them.

[truehappiness]

Was the Tetsuya Komuro thing where he was arrested or w/e after the amniotic fluid?

[jimex289]

Originally Posted by njanjayrp

Yeah, well people in Japan actually cared enough about the Ku and SMAP scandals so it didn't take ages to report about those. All I am saying is that this has been blown out of proportions and is in no way similar to what the SMAP guy did.

I'd agree with you but for now I can't assume people in Japan don't care enough about this because I simply do not live in Japan and therefore do not know what the general public thinks of the whole thing. It really is kind of stupid but there are millions of people living on that island country and not all of them will be thinking the same things. Obviously someone who has never liked Ayu will be all over this news.

Originally Posted by truehappiness

Was the Tetsuya Komuro thing where he was arrested or w/e after the amniotic fluid?

This was definitely after and something I totally forgot was another big scandal involving a person affiliated with avex.

In Tetsuya Komuro's case, I think his "scandal" was the most clear cut and no-brainer in that he blatantly committed a crime in bilking someone out of millions of dollars. Definitely hard to liken his situation to the other 3 (Ayu, Kuu, Tsuyoshi Kusanagi) in the gravity of the act committed.

[Bigtop]

That's good news for Ayu, but not for Avex...

That's too bad about Avex and Kodansha for the planning failure...

[truehappiness]

She's the center of attention who's actually promoting herself in front of the people live, so she has to be part of the planning and management. She done so in the past.

While she does plan her concerts and PVs and so on.. I believe that meet and greets for just about any artist in Japan are handled by staff/management and staff alone. You'd have to be delusional to think that Ayu would do the paperwork and stuff herself! That's not what she's supposed to be doing. All she has to do is show up/be there.

When Ayu started walking around, that went beyond the scope. That caused road blocks that were unintended.

Again, she was walking around BEFORE the event started. I don't know where you're getting this "When Ayu started walking around" thing because she did the CD shop visiting and then did the DejiDeji event where it all freaked out and expanded.. then she left. I don't really understand you here. The event itself caused the road blocks. 8,000 people aren't going to fit around the area that they prepared for the event, so really, whether she walked around or not, the roads were blocked, I'd say.

[gogoayu]

I LOVE IT


the manifestation of a true diva is emerging!


Hell yeahs you can walk wherever you want!

YOU ARE AYU. The reincarnation of Venus. You are a Goddess, scratch that, GOD.

Ayu!!!

[ArchangelLegend]

Originally Posted by truehappiness

While she does plan her concerts and PVs and so on.. I believe that meet and greets for just about any artist in Japan are handled by staff/management and staff alone. You'd have to be delusional to think that Ayu would do the paperwork and stuff herself! That's not what she's supposed to be doing. All she has to do is show up/be there.

You have a factual basis for this? I already stated not to quote me on that as it is just my opinion on that particular statement, which I placed in a spoiler to differentiate it. I even acknowledge I may even be wrong because I don't have a factual basis and I expect you to do the same when you say things like that. And she is suppose to sign papers. There's no reason for her to be excluded. You act as if I think she does all the paperwork herself. No, she is just part of it.

And stop personally attacking me. Calling me delusional does not make your argument any more valid. Attack the idea, not the person.

Originally Posted by truehappiness

Again, she was walking around BEFORE the event started. I don't know where you're getting this "When Ayu started walking around" thing because she did the CD shop visiting and then did the DejiDeji event where it all freaked out and expanded.. then she left. I don't really understand you here. The event itself caused the road blocks. 8,000 people aren't going to fit around the area that they prepared for the event, so really, whether she walked around or not, the roads were blocked, I'd say.

And she was walking before. Your point?

Yes, the roads were already blocked (of coarse). But more roads had to blocked beyond the scope.

[truehappiness]

Yes, the roads were already blocked (of coarse). But more roads had to blocked beyond the scope.

What exactly is 'beyond the scope'? Instead of 200 feet of street, 600 feet? I don't really know why we're even talking about this since it's already confirmed Ayu really has no involvement in this 'case' at all, haha.

[ArchangelLegend]

Originally Posted by truehappiness

What exactly is 'beyond the scope'? Instead of 200 feet of street, 600 feet?

That's the idea of "beyond the scope" in this situation (I don't think they measure it with feet but maybe by block) . That's exactly what this traffic violation is about. Some roads were blocked, but not all were accounted for.

"Passages of buses and other modes of transport had to stop for a time. Fans tear down the stage, the stage and the sidewalk into the fence have been knocked down, and the scene was very chaotic and frightening for random bypassers, including several children." (first post)

Those passages of buses and other modes of transport were beyond the scope for example. They didn't account for that situation and possible problems may occur.

Now the other part of the quote is about the fans being violent. That's the fans fault and is unreasonable. They are probably being fined (hopefully) or not, but the media did not cover that part.

That part of the quote is an example of the media making a controversy out of this. They didn't say that a month before. But now, some casual readers of the news will probably relate that with Ayu because she's the main topic and is popular. That's not fair for her because she didn't cause that yet the media will make it seem so. The media placed the road traffic violation together with the violent fans as if they're interrelated. They're 2 different things and there's no need to mention that part.

I see the media do this very often, especially if a political issue is involved. Yes, this is the reason why I'm being sensitive here - media bias (not the media itself) makes me angry and it can influence us with factually wrong ideas. People should be aware on how to deal with this. And who knows, those other road blocks were probably blocked for only 2 seconds and media made it sound it went on for an entire day, which farthur makes this situation ridiculous. Unfortunately, Ayu was caught in the middle of all this.