Ayumi Hamasaki has released new photos from inside Shanghai Oriental Sports Center, sharing a message to fans after taking the stage in the empty 14,000-seat venue following the last-minute cancellation of her November 29th concert.
The images, posted on her official Instagram account, show Hamasaki performing on the fully constructed arena set, complete with lighting, visuals, choreography, a full backing band, and multiple costume changes. The production had been assembled across five days by more than 200 Japanese and Chinese staff. Although the public performance was halted the day before, Hamasaki told fans she “felt so much love” from supporters around the world as she stepped onto the empty stage.
The concert had been cancelled the previous day by the local organiser citing “force majeure”, part of a wider pattern of sudden shutdowns involving Japanese performers in China throughout November.
In her caption, Hamasaki wrote:
“With 14,000 empty seats but felt so much love of TAs from all over the world, it was one of the most unforgettable show ever to me. I appreciate 200 of Chinese and Japanese crew, band members, dancers who made this stage happen. From bottom of my heart…”
The photos show Hamasaki and her dancers running through the planned set inside the empty arena, a gesture that acknowledged the crew who built the production and the fans who were unable to enter the venue after the shutdown. Hamasaki did not detail how much of the show was performed, and no official source has confirmed the extent of the run-through.
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The post circulated quickly across social platforms, with many fans praising her decision to take the stage privately and recognise the staff involved. In Shanghai, local posts reported that some supporters gathered at a Hamasaki-themed café after the cancellation. Users later shared that police vehicles were seen outside the café that evening, and promotional displays were removed from the entrance.
Comments from Japan, China, and overseas expressed pride in Hamasaki and her team for completing the run-through despite the circumstances, with supporters focusing on solidarity and gratitude.
Hamasaki continued to avoid political discussion, keeping in line with her earlier statement. Her latest post centred on appreciation for her touring members and crew, as well as her intention to maintain a connection with fans following the cancellation.
Editor’s note (Updated December 2nd 2025)
This article has been updated to remove references to a “full concert” following conflicting reports across Chinese-language media. One member of the filming team apologised for circulating rehearsal images and stated that claims of a complete one-person concert were inaccurate. At the same time, other outlets, including eyewitness descriptions and detailed follow-up reporting, have suggested that Hamasaki’s run-through inside the empty arena went well beyond a standard rehearsal.
As Hamasaki herself has not clarified the scale of the performance in her official post, and our reporting is based solely on what she released publicly, we have revised the wording to avoid overstating what occurred and to reflect the current uncertainty.
