Okinawa Pref. Honors Pop Diva Amuro

May 24, 2018

Naha, Okinawa Pref.- The Okinawa prefectural government on Wednesday granted an honor award to Japanese pop diva Namie Amuro, 40, a native of the southernmost prefecture.

In a ceremony at the prefectural government office in Naha, the prefecture's capital, Okinawa Governor Takeshi Onaga praised Amuro for keeping many people in Japan and around the world fascinated.

"You've given prefectural residents a big dream and moved them," Onaga said, calling her a diva of the Heisei era.

"I am very happy to receive this honor," Amuro replied with tears in her eyes.

Amuro became a solo singer after making her debut as a member of girl dance group Super Monkey's. In the 2002 Kyushu-Okinawa summit of the Group of Eight major countries, she sang "Never End" before the G-8 leaders.

Amuro has said she will retire from show business in September this year. Jiji Press