SMAP plans concert in Beijing this September Sunday May 22, 2011 Japan Rate Topic: #1 meoinkie2 If you see a friend without a smile; give him one of yours.
Group:News Crew Posts:7,123 Joined:16-July 07 AFzs7,342 Posted 24 May 2011 - 11:12 AM
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao is currently in Japan, and on Saturday he met with boy band SMAP. Looking to improve relations between China and Japan, he asked the four members present (Katori Shingo, Kusanagi Tsuyoshi, Kimura Takuya, Nakai Masahiro) to sing a song for him, and they obliged with Sekai ni Hitotsu Dake no Hana. During the event, Wen revealed that SMAP plans to have a concert in China this summer.
According to Johnny's Jimusho, SMAP aims to hold a concert in Beijing on September 16. This will be their first concert in China, as long as it does not get canceled like their two previous attempts last year. They had been scheduled to perform at the Shanghai World Expo last June, but the show was canceled due to safety concerns. SMAP then planned for two shows at Shanghai Stadium in October, but those were canceled after the Senkaku fishing boat incident.
SMAP to release a new album + announces fan meeting events by Shiso on June 19, 2011 at 9:23 pm
Its been announced that SMAP will be releasing a disaster relief album called SMAP AID on August 17th!
When the Tohoku earthquake struck Japan back in March, SMAP received many letters and messages that said, I was cheered by SMAPs songs or I was encouraged. The SMAP members were encouraged in kind by the messages, and so they decided to release a special album with tracks decided by fans votes.
The album will include a handkerchief (either a Shiawase no YELLOW-AID or Genki no RED-AID), and its been priced at 3,570 yen (approximately 44.52 USD). 200 yen from every album sold will be donated through Marching J.
SMAP will also be holding fan meeting events for those who purchase the album, as well as for their fan club members.
The fan meeting event for the album purchasers will be held at Nami no pool at Seibuen amusement park on September 9th. A lottery ticket will be included in every album, and 10,000 lucky people will be invited to the event for free if their lottery application gets picked. Seibuen amusement park holds a special significance to SMAP, since it was where the group held their debut single release event 20 years ago. Thus, its sure to be a deeply emotional event for both the members and the fans.
The fan meeting event for their fan club members will be held in 4 cities; Fukuoka Sun Palace (8/14), Hokkaido Nitori Bunka Hall (8/17), Kobe Bunka Hall (8/27), and Nagoya Century Hall (9/4). There will be two stages for each day, and all profits from the fan meeting events will also be donated through Marching J.
More details on the new album, including how to vote for its tracks, will be revealed during June 20ths episode of SMAP×SMAP.
HWong 23 hours ago I admire SMAP so much for the way they've handled themselves since the disaster. They've been very constant and consistent in their efforts to help out. First, they have a special SMAPxSMAP live broadcast right after the earthquake to raise awareness on what can be done to help in the aftermath of the earthquake. They've also personally gone out to talk to some of the people involved in the earthquake (whether they have suffered from it or are helping in it) to encourage them and give voice to their situations. On top of that, they've "walked the walk"; they encouraged people to conserve fuel and have done it themselves by cancelling the release of a physical single (because of the fuel cost of producing and transporting physical CDs) and instead changed their release plans to have a full digital release for their newest single.
They've donated their appearance fees from that special live broadcast to relief funds. And, for every download of their single "Not Alone ~ Shiawase ni Narou yo", 100 yen has been donated to the relief funds. They've also been having weekly community announcements on SMAPxSMAP to encourage people to donate and help out.
And now, this... show more Tommy Van Damme and 9 more liked this Like Reply
nnnc 21 hours ago in reply to HWong Beautifully written.
On top of all things you said, SMAP individually has donated about 400 million yen to the relief efforts. Nakai also went to volunteer at the shelters 4-5 times already. During SMAPxSMAP filming breaks in studio, they also hold video conferences with those at the shelters to entertain them.
A true National Idol and living legend. HaruhoKaisser and 6 more liked this Like Reply
HWong 18 hours ago in reply to nnnc Thank you. :D You do me so much honour with your compliment.
And, thanks for adding the extra details. Also, not forgetting that Kimura has been spotted as well helping out, encouraging volunteers and donating goods at one of the volunteer relief centers.
You have put it so aptly. SMAP is indeed a true national idol and living legend.