Original Article and Photo from Nikkan Sports.com here.

Thanks to miskiq@AHS for sharing.

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ayu spotted at Narita returning from LA

Hamasaki Ayumi (32), who failed to make an appearance on TV Asahi’s “Music Station”‘s 25th Anniversary Special Programme on the 16th, returned to Japan through Narita Airport, on a Singapore Airlines flight from Los Angeles. A little after 7:30pm, Hamasaki appeared at the arrival lobby, surrounded by numerous staff members, and wearing black sunglasses and a large white mask. When asked about her health, she replied with a simple “Thank you, I’m fine”. According to staff, Hamasaki went to New York earlier this month for work. Due to a delay in the schedule for her calendar photoshoot, her flight back was changed, and soon after, she caught a cold and contracted acute pharyngitis. It seems like she was unable to board the rebooked flight because of her condition.

Original Article from Sponichi Annex here.

Thanks to miskiq@AHS for sharing.

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Severe consequences for ayu for last-minute cancellation, avex states this as “setting a bad example”

Hamasaki Ayumi (32), who did a last-minute cancellation of her performance on TV Asahi’s “Music Station”‘s 25th Anniversary Special Programme on the 16th, returned to Japan via Narita Airport, from Las Vegas in the US on the night of the 17th. For this breach unbecoming of a top singer, Hamasaki offered a “deep apology”. On one hand, her record company avex had also hinted at punishment, stating that she will be “dealt with harshly”. There is a possibility that she may be forced to take a break, in order to refresh her mind and body.

At around 7pm, Hamasaki returned on a Singapore Airlines flight, with transit in Los Angeles. Surrounded by staff members at Narita Airport, she apologized with a “I truly deeply apologize for this incident”. She sounded worn out, talking in a small voice. Under her mask, she exuded a tough appearance, as if reflecting on this serious breach and loss of not appearing on the Anniversary Programme of this popular music show which had supported her performances since her debut in 1998.

Regarding the last-minute cancellation, a source from avex stated that “ayu has a special existence within our company, as a “goddess of restoration”. However, because she did not manage herself well this time, letting her off will be setting a bad example for the younger artistes. We have no choice but to deal with her harshly”. Last month, at the company’s live event 「a-nation」, she also got into a confrontation with the organizing staff about performance issues. As a distinguished artiste within the company, most of her demands had been granted, but this is the first time since her debut 14 years ago that this “Queen of no-pretense” has to be put back into the position which she has come to forget.

On this day, to questions about her health, Hamasaki replied with a weak “Not yet…”, and nodded thanks to words of encouragement. In these 13 years, this remarkable song princess has run non-stop with all her might, pulling avex along for the ride. In this memorable year which started with lightning announcements of her “marriage”, her future activities may start to meet with heavy resistance, and she may be forced to take a break to have a complete, slow rest.

Original Article and Photo from Daily Sports News here.

Thanks to miskiq@AHS for sharing.

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ayu cancels MSta performance, returns home from the US

On the night of the 17th, singer Hamasaki Ayumi (32) returned home to Narita Airport, from Los Angeles, US, where she had been staying. Wearing sunglasses and a mask, Hamasaki responded with a simple “Thank you” to media questions “How is your health?”, and boarded a car which was there to pick her up. She seemed calm and on the way to full recovery. According to staff, she will not be going to a hospital, but will be making a quiet recovery at home.

Hamasaki was scheduled to make an appearance on TV Asahi’s “Music Station”‘s 25th Anniversary Special Programme on the 16th, but had contracted acute pharyngitis while abroad. Unable to return home, she cancelled her performance, and apologized on her homepage, stating that “I really feel pained and regretful”.

Original Article and Photo from niconiconews here.

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New updates have come up about JUNO, whose debut single 「Fate」 was chosen to be magazine 『AneCan』’s TV CM theme song. This time, he is to feature in an advertisement. Furthermore, the photographer in-charge is Leslie Kee, the one who took the jacket cover for Hamasaki Ayumi’s newest mini-album 『FIVE』, which JUNO featured in as well.

Brand 「LANDS OF Eden.」, whose shop will be opening on the 2nd floor of la foret Harajuku on 17 September, has featured JUNO in their advertisement. The brand theme for LANDS OF Eden. is “Adam and Eve standing up and chasing after paradise, to return to the LANDS OF Eden. filled with love and peace”. In order to relay this concept in the visual, the advertisment was placed in the hands of world famous photographer Leslie Kee.

JUNO, with his strong arms and big hands, holding a blonde short-haired Eve. And Eve’s hand, holding on to JUNO’s shoulder. This visual will be displayed at la foret Harajuku from 13 September onwards.

“Because I love fashion, this was a very fun shoot. I’m really happy that a visual featuring me will be displayed in the middle of Harajuku. I wish to look at everyone from la foret Harajuku as Brave Adam!” —– JUNO

The 2nd set of visuals will be revealed on 7 October.

Original Article from Oricon here.

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Singer Hamasaki Ayumi’s new mini-album 『FIVE』 (released 31 August), which contains 5 songs, continues to rank in as No.1 on the Album Rankings chart for the week of 19/9, achieving V2. The last time Hamasaki Ayumi’s work maintained No.1 position for 2 weeks straight was back in January 2006, with 7th original album 『（miss）understood』, 5 years and 8 months ago.

This work contains 5 songs, including 「Why・・・」 featuring JUNO, the elder twin of Junsu from popular Korean unit JYJ, a duet 「ANother song」 with AAA’s Urata Naoya, and the theme song for PS3 game 『Tales of Xillia』 「progress」. The DVD contains the PVs and making-of clips from these 5 songs, to make a total of 10 tracks.

Read more about new work 『FIVE』 here!

To celebrate the 160th anniversary of English brand Aquascutum, a collaboration trench coat will be out for sale starting 21 September. Furthermore, there’s also a lottery gift campaign going on!
Each coat will have a double name tag from both Aquascutum and Hamasaki Ayumi!

Price: 72,450yen

Please access the URL below, log in to Twitter and leave a tweet about what you think of the trench coat to take part in the lottery.
http://www.ayu-aq.com/campaign/

[Campaign Duration]
12~25 September 2011
*Winners will be notified through direct mail.

●Aquascutum × Hamasaki Ayumi Campaign Site
http://www.ayu-aq.com/

●Enquiries： RENOWN PRESSPORT
TEL:03-5772-7170

Ayu’s discography can now be purchased through your PC, via either iTunes or mu-mo!

iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/jp/artist/id73951471
mu-mo: http://music.mu-mo.net/DispDetailArtist.php?id=%E6%B5%9C%E5%B4%8E%E3%81%82%E3%82%86%E3%81%BF

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In order to commemorate the release of 『FIVE』, Recochoku is also holding a limited campaign!

★Chaku-uta Full at half price
20 of Hamasaki Ayumi’s famous songs available at half price for a limited period!

★Everyone’s ranking
Everyone gets to vote for their favourite among Hamasaki Ayumi’s famous songs in 3 different polls!

★Recochoku Package limited to Smart Phones
Summer songs and other upbeat live songs will be sold in 3 differently-themed packages, limited only to Smart Phones!

QR Codes

Original Article and Photos from 21CN.com here.

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Hamasaki Ayumi goes to meet fans in singlet and shorts, wound on exposed arm resembles teeth marks

2 nights ago, Japanese Pop Queen Hamasaki Ayumi did fan service for her lucky fans when she turned up in singlet and shorts, revealing her waist as well as a strange teeth mark-like wound on her left arm! After dinner, Hamasaki stayed out to party till late, and concluded her 3-day stay in Hong Kong yesterday with a flight to the US!

When Hamasaki arrived on Saturday, about 200 fans turned up at the airport to welcome her. 2 days prior, she abruptly changed plans and prolonged her stay in HK. At 7:45pm that night, Hamasaki left the hotel with many staff members and rumoured boyfriend Shu-ya, satisfying fans who had been waiting for hours.

Staff wields fan to cool her down

Hamasaki, who had been dressing in a sexy manner throughout the trip, continued the trend with a singlet and low shorts, revealing her tummy and waist, as well as a tiny portion of the tattoo on her lower back we glimpsed on the jacket of new album 《FIVE》. She was extremely responsive and friendly, walking up to the fans to sign autographs and take photos. Meanwhile, her staff wielded handheld fans to keep her cool, but Hamasaki’s chest and back were still covered in sweat. In addition, a large wound which looked like teeth marks could be seen on her arm. Shu-ya was by her side the entire time, talking and joking with the fans.

After satisfying the fans, Hamasaki boarded a 7-seater car and headed to Causeway Bay for dinner, and only returned to the hotel late at night. Early yesterday morning, Hamasaki and her staff left the hotel for the airport, where she made a last-minute decision to fly to NY instead of back home. It is believed that she is going to meet up with her husband.

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Gallery (click for larger images)

Original Article and Photo from 163.com here.

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Hamasaki Ayumi visits HK and interacts with fans, rumoured boyfriend accompanying her everywhere

Hamasaki Ayumi, who reached HK last Saturday, initially planned to leave the country the following day, but changed her plans at the last minute. Last night, around 10 fans waited outside the hotel to greet their idol, but Hamasaki stayed hidden in her room. At 7:45pm, she finally emerged, accompanied by many staff members as well as rumoured boyfriend Shu-ya.

Wearing a sleeveless midriff-baring top plus hipster shorts, Hamasaki immediately spotted the waiting fans and walked over to sign autographs and take photos. Some female fans also took photos with Shu-ya. During the autograph session, Hamasaki was sweating from the heat, and the staff members immediately brought out a fan to help cool her down.

After 15 minutes, Hamasaki, Shu-ya and others boarded a 7-seater car bound for Causeway Bay to have dinner, and only returned to the hotel late at night. At 9am on the 5th, Hamasaki revealed on Twitter that she was already at the airport, and would be flying off to New York. Ditching her initial plan to return to Japan, she probably changed her schedule so she could meet up with her husband.

Original Article and Photo from sina.com.cn here.

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Hamasaki Ayumi in HK to promote new movie, appearing brazenly with rumoured boyfriend

Following news from Hong Kong media, Japan’s Pop Queen Hamasaki Ayumi reached Hong Kong Airport at 1:30pm yesterday. She is here to promote her 2nd 3D concert movie. When Hamasaki, who is already married, appeared on the arm of former rumoured boyfriend dancer Shu-ya, the near 200 fans present erupted into chaos. Brazenly holding onto Shu-ya with one arm, Hamasaki shook hands with fans for nearly 15 minutes before leaving.

That day, Hamasaki spent nearly 2 hours within the private area of the airport changing her clothes and make-up. She emerged wearing a low-cut long skirt which revealed her cleavage, stunning both the media and fans. The already-married Hamasaki held onto the arm of former rumoured boyfriend dancer Shu-ya the entire time, and shook hands with fans with her free hand, displaying her friendly demeanor. In the midst of 200 fans and 30 bodyguards, Hamasaki also tried to help fans who had been pushed down, but was too surrounded to come to their aid. Some fans lost their shoes, bodyguards lost their hats and lights, and a cameraman was even manhandled by a bodyguard. Hamasaki managed to emerge from this chaos only after 15 minutes.

Hamasaki then changed into a low-cut, short dress for the movie premiere showing. Once again holding onto Shu-ya, she was totally unafraid of invoking jealousy in her foreign husband. First, she introduced herself in Cantonese, then conducted the rest of the session in English. She said she was glad to be back in HK, and would love to explore, but since she could only stay 1 night, she could not do as she wished. She also pointed out the difficulties in making this movie, but proudly stated that she had made new history. She added that, without the fans’ support, she would not have succeeded. Next, she shared her motto “Seize the day”, because life is short, and she hoped her fans would treasure each day. On the other hand, Shu-ya was all smiles and jokes, teasing Hamasaki for being too fierce and a crybaby, but very serious with her work and that she is an inspiration to him. After that, the two took a group shot with the audience, then left hand-in-hand. That night, Hamasaki travelled to Causeway Bay to attend the “Love & Hope + FIVE” photo exhibition hosted by good friend Leslie Kee.