Hamasaki Ayumi will not participate in the 2004 Japan Record Awards

[HanabiChick]

Sounds like Ayu's got a plan of what she wants to do in the future.

[lolo66]

ah? something must be lost in the translation, I think it just meant she's going to attend it right?

[lolo66]

Originally Posted by gakkun

I'm not sure if this is the reason but a Japanese magazine called Bubka published an article revealing how the network which holds the awards, TBS, had already arranged for an enka singer to win. But because he didn't have a popular song this year, and other artists such as Ken Hirai and SMAP did not want to participate, they decided to give the award to Ayu, possibly also as a gratulations to Max Matsuura for becoming head of Avex.

so I think Ayu dropped out to avoid controversy. People would probably say things if she won. But then again, I don't think winning the award really means that much because all these bigger artists have dropped out. Ayu doesn't have a chance if Ken Hirai was still in it.

If that's true the politics in East Asian entertainment circles is really weird.

[MedJohn]

I think there's already been some hint abt it in CAROLS PV

[Qt Mashi]

hmmm let me just watch the carols PV again carefully...

[viviphalen]

*confused*
well, im supporting ayu, no matter what!
*o*

[ruixiong89]

Well, I think the reason that Ayu doesn't want controversy to arise because of her win can be confirmed. The following extract was done through the WorldLingo Translation.

Ayu, レコ large refusal
With grand prix 3 winning successively after the decision next year non participation

　The Hamazaki walking of the singer (26), this year refusing "the 46th Japanese record grand prix" of New Year's Eve on the 28th, you understood. To last year it achieved the first 3 year continual grand prix prize winning in history from 2001, it remained in last nominating this year as a major candidate, but as for this person refusal those which decide. Hamazaki with the intention which you graduate from "prize race/lace" not just レコ large, aims toward new starting as one artist. Furthermore examination meeting is done on the 29th, gold prize 12 group of grand prix candidacy is announced.

　It was decided that the queen of the Japanese pop boundary pulls the レコ large empty body.

　According to the authorized personnel, Hamazaki side examination meeting on the 29th it offered refusal before. Not only レコ large, with the intention which does not participate in the prize event of all end of years, it is the head shareholder of post record company "エイベックス", "wire broadcloth networks" it sponsors "best hit song festival" (EXILE the grand prix prize winning) you refuse on old wire grand prix = 27th. December "Japanese wire broadcast grand prix" (the sponsorship can system) it seems that does not perform.

　Refusal from prize race/lace was decided with Hamazaki's herself intention. At the beginning the staff was advancing the preparation of prize race/lace according to ordinary year, but that Hamazaki "this year to refuse we would like", that you decided, you say. According to the authorized personnel, it seems that becomes one pause by the fact that for the first time レコ large 3 winning successively in histories is achieved. In addition mixing making disturb the fan as a representation of post singer in the infighting play of エイベックス of this summer "also the sense of responsibility feels", that (authorized personnel) it is said.

　Furthermore, you call the schedule where either after of the next year does not participate basically in the prize event. In addition to レコ large 3 winning successively, the stairway to the star you run by the fact that prize is acquired many and rise, designate the importance of prize as the body and try and feel, but prize race/lace seems that expects restarting with the field which is different.

With レコ large last year "SMAP just of one flower and" Sakura (the German singing/stating)"powerful artist 2 set, Naotarou Moriyama just announced refusal to the world" from last nominating Examination meeting is done on the 29th, gold prize 12 group of grand prix candidacy is announced, but Hamazaki's refusal may call the ripple.

Yup, I think she doesn't want to generate controversy and she does note that there are other artistes that might be even more worthy of the award than she is. Yar, a good display of character I must say.

It's definitely not her backing out because she thinks she can't win.

[akatsuki]

Originally Posted by gakkun

I'm not sure if this is the reason but a Japanese magazine called Bubka published an article revealing how the network which holds the awards, TBS, had already arranged for an enka singer to win. But because he didn't have a popular song this year, and other artists such as Ken Hirai and SMAP did not want to participate, they decided to give the award to Ayu, possibly also as a gratulations to Max Matsuura for becoming head of Avex.

so I think Ayu dropped out to avoid controversy. People would probably say things if she won. But then again, I don't think winning the award really means that much because all these bigger artists have dropped out. Ayu doesn't have a chance if Ken Hirai was still in it.

Very interresting~~ Ken Hirai is very big, you are maybe right...

[extepan]

so is she not taking part this year or forever??

[lovia]

lets hope not... if not all those prix award programs will be darn boring without her around =\ hahaha... and thanx for the translations!!

but i think ayu did the right choice!! its a wise move... its a win-lose situation... if u were to see that ayu were to join the awards.... if she is got the award people will say she won it because of internal relations... but if she dont, people will say her popularity is declining and so on and write loadz of ugly articles... =\ u see...

[Delirium-Zer0]

Wow, she's not doing ANY awards this year! Did anyone catch how that one awards show is run by a huge stockholder in avex? They'd have to pick ayu as a winner to make their stock go up. It'll be biased.

Wow. Ayu is one smart cookie to be pulling out of these.

[nmskalmn]

There is a statement from Ayu on her official site regarding her absence from the various 2004 music awards: http://www.avexnet.or.jp/ayu/news/041130.html

I'll be very, very grateful if someone could translate this announcement. I don't want to speculate about her reasons based only on autotranslations.

[Brittany]

Let's just keep it simple and clear: Ayumi Hamasaki is the queen of all Japanese music and she is stepping down to let others win.. I don't mind that

[greggerz189]

HOLY CRAP! Someone please translate that page!! ><

[greggerz189]

I think that Ayu is smart for doing what she is doing, even though I really wanted to see her win the Record Awards this year!! I was really expecting INSPIRE to win too!! XD i remember her last year when she won with No way to say!

Needless to say, I approve and respect whichever decisions Ayu makes and support her fully!

[Nu-NRG]

i hope this doesn't mean anything about quiting...
...ayu doing something she's been dreaming to...
the Asia Tour..then this declining to attend any awards..
T.T

[Coelacanth]

Why would anyone decline an award nomination? They should do it like any normal award show, you get nominated whether you like it or not. And if you don't want to be there to accept it, then fine... This awards show just seems very fake to me anyway...

[_CREA_]

Originally Posted by Phantoma

Why would anyone decline an award nomination? They should do it like any normal award show, you get nominated whether you like it or not. And if you don't want to be there to accept it, then fine... This awards show just seems very fake to me anyway...

Maybe she sees it as being kind of fake too, and that's partially why she's chosen to step out this time around?

[AyuLover]

I don't know if this helps, but I got this from Excite! Translator:

It is !& information now!! Since information って言って has also already got across to everybody, although it has been late. First, it is about the affair of this prize race declining. In fact, it thinks it mortifying that information will leak early for why or one day although we were planning KATACHI first called an announcement with tomorrow's [ つたえて to ] newspaper etc. to everybody here in ayu, and the language of ayu has become deferment in this way very much tonight. everybody is also asking nothing to ayu -! って思っ free wax Then, why does it release ayu made such a decision about this affair anew? First, as today's newspaper has also described, the AVEX disturbance which occurred in the summer of this year is a reason above all. By the own utterance of ayu, worries to the extent that it cannot be were applied to everybody. Trouble was made to many people. It has gone up to the notability of music [ he having enlarged the disturbance and also having just released to the ironical thing at that time ]. INSPIRE will serve as representation music of ayu this year awfully certainly. I am usual to the music made such a wind and I had people of a world recognize -- as -- " -- since it is the prize got all together -- representing -- " etc. -- even if -- it is not -- although -- I thought that it could not say terrible [ だって and ] -- having made everybody do a sad thought Therefore, it was made think that offering declining will hit impolite if I may be nominated for many wonderful prizes, and allowed to decline beforehand in this way this year. Although it might also be 色ん truly this year, everybody always believed ayu and followed. Since I can only do conveying the feeling of this gratitude and going in a song, I want to upgrade much more the entertainment highest on the part from which only a few was able to get time to turn to the live, countdown, and the continuing tour from former, and to send it rather than an ordinary year. Honesty and the man that it is not satisfactory may also be in inside. But this is the conclusion about which I thought and thought long and hard in the idea. This is the way which ayu chose. Since it has become long, is the South Korean talk made into next time again? Love is put... ayu.

I tihnk the boldened line might clear some things up.

[Coelacanth]

"I want to put power into the countdown live this year."

I auto-translated an article from Sanspo, which was also mentioned on Tokyo-Nights.

I'm sure thats not the only reason. But i'm glad she does want to focus on the countdown live, especially if its going to be a DVD release.