Japanese pop star Ayumi Hamasaki’s scheduled concert in Shanghai was abruptly cancelled on Friday afternoon, 28 Nov 2025, just one day before the actual show. The concert organiser cited “force majeure” as the reason for the cancellation.
The 47-year-old singer said in a social media post that she was suddenly asked to cancel the event on Friday morning. She wrote that she still could not believe it and did not know the words to express how she felt.
Despite the cancellation, Hamasaki and her 200-strong Japanese and Chinese crew went ahead with a full-scale performance to the empty 14,000-seater arena. The crew had spent five days setting up the stage for the concert.
The performance was speculated to have been recorded for potential release at a later date.
On 30 Nov, Hamasaki posted photos of the empty venue on Instagram. She noted that although the theatre was empty, she felt “so much love” from around the world.
When news of the cancellation first broke, Hamasaki wrote: “I still firmly believe entertainment should be a bridge that connects people, and I want to continue building that bridge.”
Her decision to proceed with the performance was widely praised in the comments section of her social media posts.
Cancellation Part of Broader Pattern Following Japan PM’s Taiwan Remarks
Hamasaki’s cancelled concert is part of a broader pattern affecting Japanese performers in China. Concerts and entertainment events by Japanese artistes have been cancelled or postponed in the country in recent weeks.
The cancellations followed a remark made by Japan Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae on 7 Nov 2025. Takaichi hinted that Japan could get involved in Taiwan militarily.
China reacted with harsh criticism for days after the remark. Takaichi said she did not intend to retract her comments.
Hamasaki’s Asia tour started in Hong Kong in 2025. Following a massive blaze at a high-rise residential complex in Hong Kong, she posted on social media: “Our prayers go to Hong Kong.”
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