Several high-profile Japanese music events in Shanghai were abruptly cancelled over the weekend, drawing criticism from fans who called the actions “rude” and “extreme.”
On Friday, singer Maki Otsuki was interrupted mid-performance of the One Piece theme when lights and music were cut off, and she was escorted off stage by crew members. The following day, pop star Ayumi Hamasaki performed to an empty 14,000-seat stadium after her concert was cancelled due to “force majeure.”
The spate of cancellations comes amid escalating diplomatic tensions between Beijing and Tokyo following remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Taiwan. Takaichi suggested last month that Tokyo could consider military action if China attacked Taiwan, prompting protests and heightened friction between the two governments.
Otsuki’s management described the interruption as caused by “unavoidable circumstances” and said there were no other issues with the performance. Subsequent festival events were also called off “after comprehensively taking into consideration various factors,” according to Kyodo News.
The incident quickly went viral on social media, with fans drawing comparisons between Otsuki’s removal from stage and the 2022 ousting of China’s former leader Hu Jintao. Some criticized Chinese authorities for restricting cultural events, while others on Chinese platforms questioned why the concerts were allowed amid rising nationalist sentiment.
Hamasaki, who had been asked to cancel her Friday show, chose to perform to an empty stadium in a show of respect for staff and fans. On Instagram, she emphasised her belief that “entertainment should be a bridge that connects people.”
The cancellations follow other cultural disruptions tied to the diplomatic row, including delays in the release of at least two Japanese anime films in China, according to state media.
U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass also commented online, expressing regret over the disrupted concerts and offering support to the artists.