Many concerts cancelled in Japan amid coronavirus spread

February 27, 2020

Tokyo--Many concerts by Japanese musicians have been canceled in line with the government's request on Wednesday for voluntary curbs on big events to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Concerts and other events by idol group AKB48 and its sister groups between Wednesday and March 11 were canceled or postponed.

Avex Management Inc. said that it will cancel 15 concerts by nine musicians, including female singers Ayumi Hamasaki and Kumi Koda, originally scheduled over a period through March 11.

Boy band Exile and related groups as well as pop female trio Perfume canceled concerts on Wednesday and some other days.

Singer-songwriter Kenshi Yonezu has canceled four concerts planned in the northeastern prefecture of Miyagi and the central prefecture of Mie from Thursday.

Rock band Wanima called off four concerts between Saturday and March 8. Male singer Naotaro Moriyama postponed performances on Thursday and Friday to June.

Johnny & Associates, a major Japanese talent agency, put off concerts by boy bands SixTONES and NEWS to mid-April and late May, respectively.

Shiki Theatre Company said it has decided to cancel all theater performances in major cities in Japan planned between Thursday and March 8. Jiji Press