During her LOVEppears era, releasing the album LOVEppears I think she could have done well in EUrope (Dance music), considering the type of music that was popular then. SHe probably woulden't hit big though. When it comes to a lot of dance music few people seem to care about the lyrics, (Like dragostea din tei)
. As Ayumi is no one hit wonder artist. I doubt it would suite her.

I think the biggest problem many j-artists would face abroad except for language barriers is their singing style.

English is a required part of Japanese people's primary education, but that sure doesn't mean most Japanese can speak English. Think of it this way: people are required to take a second language in America, but does anyone really remember how to speak it once they leave school? No, not unless they keep up with the practice.

As an American studying abroad in Japan, let me assure you that you cannot trust in the English skills of Japanese people just because they were required to learn it at one point in their lives.

^^but again, as said before, her handler did everything, and she even said on TV that she stayed in her room.

I was also under the impression that most Japanese people could speak English, of course not fluently, but definitely little phrases here and there. But then again, I would think that as English is becoming more and more popular around the world, many people can speak English, or at least know how to say most of the basic phrases.

But I think that her English is definitely limited to Hello, Goodbye, Thank you, Your welcome. At the MTV Asia Awards in 2002, as said above, she did say, "Thank you so much, I love you all." But also while they gave her the award she just kept saying "thank you" which I think is one of the things she can definitely say without getting looks of confusion, or being confused herself.

I think that with English, its easier to understanf than speak? like, if you asked for directions in Japan, someone would probably be able to help you, and with the overwhelming number of foreigners in places like Shibuya and the Roppongi District, you would think that the people who lived there would assume that you did not speak Japanese, or would try to talk to you in Enlgish.

I've always wondered it she can too... I mean at least can she interact with english speakers... If so I'll bet her accent is very adorable! But spending all that time in NY had to help her english tremendously... even if she can't really communicate alot I'll bet she learned alot from that trip!

I'm glad there's a person speaking from recent experience. When I went to Japan the first time, my family and I were initially under the impression that there'd be a lot of people who could speak English but we were wrong. When we wanted to find a street (their address system is somewhat odd) there was a lot of pointing and gesturing. Realistically, though, you can get around without knowing the language.

Also, regarding use of sporadic English and the possibilities of fluency: think of it this way, it's just like how so many non-Japanese speaking members here use phrases like "kawaii", "sayonara", "konnichi wa", "ohayou", "sugoi". You know the basics and possibly say it perfectly but that doesn't mean you can converse, right? It's just like how many people memorize Ayu's lyrics & the translation.

For ladies night ->
B.G.vocal：Gloria Ryann， Chantale Cerisier， Vickie Natale
Vocoder Voice：Jusme

don't have time to check if it's already posted or not.. but here is the info xD Ayu didn't sing it.. but that doesn't take away anything I said earlier about Ayu speaking english

see I always thought the rumors about kids having to learn english were false... do they take a foreign language at a young age? Or is it even required...?


oh and the Vocoder voice is probably the word 'danger' not the rap that everyone is debating right? Because the rap doesn't sound THAT synthesized right?

^English is a required subject in Japanese primary education.

DEVILAYU: YES, the address system hurts my brain! @_@

Also as another side point...if Japanese people were all great at English, you'd see a lot less...um...molestations of the language all over the place. Check out www.engrish.com for lots of funny examples.

ROFL, I WENT TO THAT SITE. Got a good laugh out of it! XD XD XD XD

nope, she definetely doesn't have fluent english. i'm 100% sure of that.

omg me too!! :roflmao

No, she can't speak fluent English, but she knows enough of it.

Note: The background vocal people were also credited in 'Bold&Delicious' which means that they are part of the SPECIAL CHOIR. I think they just sang the background in the chorus, not the "rapping" parts.

True, she probably knows enough to get around.

O_O That really surprises me that Soulhead doesn't speak English at all....they really do sound fluent.

- Haven't checked this thread in a while.
Anyway, about real me.
Yes, they have translated it, but it rhymed perfectly, I doubt ayu's lyrics somehow translated perfectly to rhyme. She had to know enough english to write that song.

And i get my facts from sources where i practice my Japanese. Alot of the time, it mentions japanese artists time-by-time. I heard that most japanese CAN speak a little english. I Did not say that Ayu can speak perfect, nice vocabulary, and grammar english, but english.

I do tons of research on the japanese language, and japanese people, and iv'e come across that fact many times. Most Japanese people can speak english, atleast some.