TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) has invited Japanese singer Hamasaki Ayumi (濱崎步) to perform in the southern Taiwan city after China canceled her Shanghai concert Friday (Nov. 28). The cancellation prompted Hamasaki to perform for 14,000 empty seats, sharing photos Sunday (Nov. 30) of what she called an unforgettable "no-audience concert." Chen criticized the cancellation as "very inappropriate" while promoting Kaohsiung's thriving concert industry.
Kaohsiung has hosted over 103 concerts through November, drawing nearly 1.36 million attendees and generating over NT$4.4 billion (around US$140 million) in tourism revenue, according to the city. Kaohsiung's strong concert performance comes as a TVBS Poll Center survey shows 65% of citizens are satisfied with Chen's governance, marking a historic high. Also, 71% of respondents believe concerts contribute positively to economic development.
Hamasaki thanked 200 staff members, band members, and dancers from China and Japan who made the Shanghai performance possible, calling it one of her most unforgettable shows. She performed to 14,000 vacant seats after Chinese authorities canceled the concert without clear explanation. The incident underscores ongoing tensions affecting cultural exchanges between Japan and China, while Taiwan positions itself as an alternative venue for international artists. ◼