“I guess the melody and the outfits struck a chord with the people in Thailand”

Even Takahashi Ai herself was surprised by the popularity of “Onna ni Sachi Are.”
“Onna ni Sachi Are” is one of the songs that came from the so-called “platinum era,” when Takahashi was leader of the group. Songs from this era in particular are highly popular with fans overseas.

“To be honest though, it was a really difficult period. We were doing a lot of performances overseas but our TV appearances and performances in Japanese media dropped dramatically, so at the time I didn’t really see this period as a particularly remarkable era.”

After the sweeping popularity of the first generation members and the initial era of the Morning Musume social phenomenon, the group just seemed to fade away from my field of view completely. At that time, I would hear about how great Morning Musume are to see live from friends who frequented their shows regularly, and looking back now it certainly makes me a little jealous. But from the point of view of the group members themselves at the time, it would’ve been like walking through the dark not really knowing where the path would take them.

However, it was the overseas fans who realized how spectacular the Takahashi Ai-lead Morning Musume were, long before most Japanese did. I first began my work in cultural diplomacy in 2008, and even then, Morning Musume would often come up in conversation whenever I spoke to young people overseas. At the time, I just thought that they were behind the times, but now I know, it was just the opposite: they were the ones up-to-date – ahead of the times even.

When you’re always in such close proximity to something it’s hard to see just how valuable it is. And it’s all the young people living in far away countries throughout the world who love Japan that taught me this.
“It makes me so happy that songs from the platinum era are so loved by people all over the world.”
This is what Takahashi Ai told me after her performance.

In the middle of her performance there was a segment where the four cover-dance teams broke into two groups and performed a dance while Takahashi Ai sat on the side of the stage and watched.

The song that the first group performed was “Onna ni Sachi Are.” The second group performed “Kimagure Princess” (Fickle Princess). Both platinum era songs. By the second song, Takahashi Ai began to stir and she got up and started dancing to “Kimagure Princess.” This brought everyone’s energy levels up even higher. Towards the end, Ai was invited into the group and she took over the center role. A cover dance featuring both the artist and the fans. Seeing their happy faces and the sheer excitement of the audience – it was deeply moving to watch.

I know just how long the fans and the cover-dance teams in Bangkok have waited for Takahashi Ai to come and perform for them. The dance teams performed just like they always did, but this time, the real thing was right there in the center. It’s something they probably never even dreamed would happen.

For the final performance, the thirty-odd cover-dance team members joined Takahashi Ai on stage to perform “Love Machine” and platinum era song, “Mikan.”

“I was joined by the dance teams, not even having a single rehearsal. Everyone knew to move to the front of the stage just through eye contact, everything else just seemed to fall into sync naturally.” Their performance together was virtually flawless. Watching this, it became quite obvious just how much love they have for Morning Musume and just how well they know their songs too.

Takahashi Ai’s mini concert at the Japan Festa was open to anyone and everyone. It wasn’t just a gathering of die-hard Morning Musume fans; there would have been people there who had no idea who the girls were too. But what I can say for certain is, Takahashi Ai captured the hearts of the entire audience there.

You probably couldn’t ask for a more successful Japan-focused event held overseas than the likes of that which was achieved with the Japan Festa in Bangkok.
“Ai-chan (Takahashi Ai) is amazing. And so kind too!! Now I know why you like her so much, Sakurai-san.”

These are the kinds of things that I heard from Thai friends after they got to meet the Morning Musume members at a handshake session held in Bangkok last year. For most Thai fans, this was the first time they got to see Takahashi Ai in the flesh, though.

Takahashi Ai has longed to visit Thailand and the fans have long waited for her to visit, so being able to witness Ai and her fans finally meet, as a Japanese, made me extremely happy. And for all the people who were there that day, the distance between Japan and Thailand suddenly seems a whole lot closer.

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