Maki Otsuki has recently become the latest Japanese performer whose performance was halted in China amid the tensions between China and Japan.
The “One Piece” singer, who was scheduled to perform on 28 and 29 November at the Bandai Namco Festival 2025 in Shanghai, had to halt her performance abruptly, said her team.
“Other than the performance being cancelled, there were no particular issues, and the local staff were very kind to us,” her agency said on 1 November.
The company also continued, “We have already received numerous inquiries and requests for interviews regarding this matter, but all information has already been posted on our website. We apologise, but we will refrain from responding any further, and we ask for your understanding.”
Otsuki also announced her return to Japan on her Instagram, stating, “My only regret is that I didn’t have time to say thank you to the fans who came to see my performance, looking forward to it. Thank you so much!”
“I believe that what I can do is to continue to carefully deliver my voice to those who need it through music. I also hope that I will continue to make new encounters and make new connections through my songs.”
The Bandai Namco Festival, an annual event that began in 2023, was scheduled to feature characters from popular Japanese anime, such as Gundam and One Piece, as well as live performances by Japanese singers singing anime songs.
Aside from Otsuki, other Japanese performers who had problems for their shows in China included Ayumi Hamasaki and jazz pianist Hiromi Uehara.
The issue between the two countries sparked after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested that Tokyo could intervene militarily in any attack on Taiwan, despite China claiming the island as part of its territory.
(Photo Source: Ayumi IG, Maki Otsuki IG)