The day has finally come. Namie Amuro has officially retired.
The day before her retirement, Namie held her final concert on her home island of Okinawa. Before Namie hit the stage, special guests Ken Hirai, MONGOL800, and BEGIN performed. Each act performed a selection of their own songs, along with a Namie cover. Ken Hirai sang “WANT ME, WANT ME”, MONGOL800 performed “TRY ME ~Watashi wo Shinjite~”, and BEGIN covered “Tempest.”
Namie performed a mixture of solo songs and collaborations during her segment of the show. These collaborations were “Grotesque” with Ken Hirai, “I’m Not Yours” with Jolin Tsai, “UNUSUAL” with Yamashita Tomohisa, and “BLACK DIAMOND” with DOUBLE. Namie closed the show, and her career, with “How do you feel now?” She then thanked the audience and the concert’s special guests. After she left the stage, the audience chanted Namie’s name in hopes that she would return.
Pictures from the concert:
Tonight, Namie’s career ended in a burst of fireworks in Okinawa. An array of Namie’s hits played during the fireworks display on the beach. Namie was in attendance and looked at the display happily.
Pictures from the fireworks display:
Today, Namie left a message on her official website thanking fans for their undying support over the past 25 years. She acknowledged the various emotions her fans felt when she announced her retirement, but hoped that there would be all smiles in the end. Namie is glad to have been a singer who deeply touched the hearts of her fans for the past 25 years, and for that, she is filled with gratitude.
Following her announcement, it was announced that Namie’s official website, fanclub, online store, and FaceBook page would shut down on September 30.
Namie then left a follow up message, this time addressed to the media. She thanked them for their support during the course her career, but asked that they refrain from bombarding her family and staff with interview requests.
We here at Arama! Japan thank Namie Amuro for sharing her gifts with us and wish her the best in her future as a private citizen.
