Hamasaki Ayumi will not participate in the 2004 Japan Record Awards
 

Ayumi Hamasaki has declined to participate in the 46th Japan Record Awards. These awards are sponsored by the Japan Composers Association (site) and are based on merit, not sales. Ayu made history by winning the Japan Record Grand Prix award 3 times consecutively:
2003 for "No way to say"
2002 for "Voyage"
2001 for "Dearest"

Ayu's albums and songs have also been recognized in other prizes besides the Grand Prix. For example "SEASONS" and "Duty" won awards in 2000.

Apparently it was Ayu's own wish not to be considered as a nominee for this year's prizes. Refer to this article for more info: http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/hochi/geino...0041128_10.htm

Please correct me if any of this info is wrong.

oh wow.. why is she doing this?! O_O but thanks for the info.

maybe she feels it would be unfair to the other artists coz she always wins :D

..or is she not confident about her songs this year..o.o

There were some reasons given in the yomiuri article if anyone cares to attempt a translation.

i think that is a very noble move on her part, i applaud her

I'm sure she has her reasons.

I'd like to hear them, if anyone is willing to translate.

I actually feel that natalaxie may be right. Maybe Ayu feels that she shouldn't qualify because she's already won so many times before. Stepping down to let other people have a chance. If that's the case, then this is a very noble act. If it's because she's not confident in her songs, well... She shouldn't worry. She is the best, after all. :)

I'm interested in atranslation of this aticle as well, cause we all could be dead wrong. :P

Mm, that's interesting.
I don't have any ideas why she doesn't want to participate so I'll just wait for the translation.
:)

i hope we can get a clear translation.
but i think it's because she won so many times like Hazard & natalaxie said.

But I'm sure she wouldn't actually say that's one of the reasons. "I don't want to because I want to give others a chance at winning." That makes her sound very pompous and egotistical.

oh that's weird
i wonder wat her reason is

whattt. the performance last year of no way to say was awesome!

Aww..I'm kinda sad that she isn't participating but if she wannit to give someone others a chance then I think it was very nice of her. :)

I agree that she wouldn't reply exactly like that, but if she words it right, she won't sound egotistical at all. *tries to think of a better way of saying that and fails* Well, it's Ayu. I'm sure she could think of something clever. =^.^= I could be wrong, of course. *raises hands* Translation! (I wish I could translate... ;.; )

support ayu
i think ayu's decision is correct

i translated it using dictionary.com but it doesnt make sense

The Hamazaki ‚ ‚ä of the singer you saw and (26), this year refusing "the 46th Japanese record grand prix" of New Year's Eve on the 28th, you understood. To last year it achieved the first 3 year continual grand prix prize winning in history from 2001, it remained in last nominating this year as a major candidate, but as for this person refusal those which decide. Hamazaki with the intention which you graduate from "prize race/lace" not just ƒŒƒR large, aims toward new starting as one artist. Furthermore examination meeting was done on the 29th, gold prize 12 group of grand prix candidacy the departure float ³ ‚ê ‚é. decided that the queen of the Japanese pop boundary pulls the ƒŒƒR large empty body. According to the authorized personnel, Hamazaki side examination meeting on the 29th the perpendicular µ inserting of refusal was done before. not only ƒŒƒR large, with the intention which does not participate in the prize event of all end of years, with the head shareholder of post record company

:D waiting patiently for a better translation :innocent

People might take that the wrong way, like she thinks she'll win and is overconfident. I think she should still do it though...

aiya > < i still don't get why she's refusing...

maybe ayu thinks win the award three times is enough

Weird. I don't think it is because she's not confident with her recent songs. They are awesome!

It remind me about the carols MV

*GASPAGE* aww...nooo.... T.T

I'm not sure if this is the reason but a Japanese magazine called Bubka published an article revealing how the network which holds the awards, TBS, had already arranged for an enka singer to win. But because he didn't have a popular song this year, and other artists such as Ken Hirai and SMAP did not want to participate, they decided to give the award to Ayu, possibly also as a gratulations to Max Matsuura for becoming head of Avex.

so I think Ayu dropped out to avoid controversy. People would probably say things if she won. But then again, I don't think winning the award really means that much because all these bigger artists have dropped out. Ayu doesn't have a chance if Ken Hirai was still in it.

Chances were that ayu wouldn't have won the record award last year, if either SAMP or Naotaro Moriyama didn't declined a nominee.
For this year there are heaps of DECENT artists (including Ken Hirai?) who also refused to participate the award. I think ayu has made the appropriate choice. It's time to move on.

I feel the same way. Ayu has her reasons and for her to gracefully decline when other artists would go for the sheer bragging rights...its a good sign of character. :yes

i'm really shocked...

Jooo got it all i wanna say! *High 5*

Well, the auto translations apparently say she has some examination. o_0

i totally agree with you there. avex knows carols dont have a chance to win, so they just say they are not taking part. so if they dont take part, they cant win, so people cant make a fuss about it if ayu doesnt win.

and the excuse of her giving other people a chance to win is so lame.

if she doesn't want to participate, then she's working on something big! Maybe she takes better care of her album and tours now and doesn't just make them in a few days like in the rainbow time. I mean, about you came out in september. So she's working the best she can on the album from october

i think she's just shy :D :laugh

I have to admit I was pretty surprised to see this as well, since this award is so prestigious and I always am happy when Ayu wins. (Unlike some other awards that I really could care less about) But as others have said, I'm sure she has her reasons. She HAS won three times in a row now, and to me the idea of her stepping down because she actually doesn't want to win again doesn't seem all that strange. Another thing, though, that crossed my mind is that maybe she wants to step down because she sees all these other "big" artists stepping down as well, and sees the chance to come off being generous or something. I really wouldn't believe that myself, but it was a thought.

Oh well, it's not to say that she won't be participating next year! :yes

I'm a bit sad because I've liked her performances at the event but it does seem that she's been working a lot and I hope she gets a chance to rest, even if it's just for one night.

[QUOTE=CalicoOh well, it's not to say that she won't be participating next year! :yes[/QUOTE]

no. in the newspaper, it said that she will not participate all competition this year and are not going to join them from now on (あゆ、レコ大辞退
大賞３連覇で決断　来年以降も不参加<-- this sentence mean not join anymore next year)she said she want to be a brand-new artist who doesn't sing for award. she said she will not get prize anymore

this is the tarnslation by using Excite Japan:


It turns out on the 28th that Ayumi Hamasaki (26), a singer, withdraws from
the "46th Japan record grand-prix" of New Year's Eve this year. It is her
decision although she is the first in history to attain a three-year
continuation grand-prix award from 2001 to last year and also being remained
in the last nomination as a major candidate this year. Hamasaki is inclined
to graduate not only from Record Award but from a "prize race", and aims at
a start new as one artist. In addition, an examination meeting will be held
on the 29th and 12 sets of a grand-prix candidate's Gold Award will be
announced.

The queen of a Japanese pop community will pull the body from Record Award.

According to the persons concerned, the Hamasaki side declares to withdraw
before the examination meeting on the 29th. Not only Record Award, inclining
to participate in no year-end prize events, she also declines to participate
in the "best hit song festival" (Old cable grand-prix = EXILE's grand-prix
award on the 27th), which is held by "cable broadcast networks", the largest
stockholder of the affiliation record company "Avex". It seems that it does
not appear on "the Japanese cable-broadcasting grand-prix" (sponsorship KYAN
system) in December.
Declining from a prize race was decided by Hamasaki's own intention.
Although the staff was advancing preparation of a prize race as the ordinary
year at the beginning, it is said that Hamasaki decided saying "I want to
decline this year." It seems that it became one pause by having won three
first successive victories in history at Record Award according to the
persons concerned. Moreover, it is also said "To also feel a sense of
responsibility" (persons concerned) as an affiliation singer's
representative to have confused the fan on the internal trouble play of Avex
of this summer.

In addition, next year or subsequent ones is fundamentally said to a prize
event as the schedule which does not participate. It seems that begin three
successive victories of Record Award and it runs up the stairs to a star by
winning many prizes, and the restart in the field different from a prize
race is expected although the importance of a prize is permeated and felt
for the body.

SMAP's "being only one flower to the world" and 2 sets of leading artists
called the Moriyama 直太朗 of "Sakura (solo)" having also announced
declining from the last nomination in Record Award last year. Although an
examination meeting will be held on the 29th and 12 sets of a grand-prix
candidate's Gold Award are announced, Hamasaki's declining is likely to call
a ripple.

Actually I think she'll definately win because of MAX and also CAROLS is a nice song. So I think the reason suits the situation perfectly! :thud

CAROLS is actually getting the No.1 in lyrics and music so I'm sure she can win with this song even without max's influence as the new director of avex!
http://www2.oricon.co.jp/ranking/word.html
http://www2.oricon.co.jp/ranking/melody.html

Oh yamogi thanks!

yay thx for the translation!

Sounds like Ayu's got a plan of what she wants to do in the future. :yes

ah? something must be lost in the translation, I think it just meant she's going to attend it right?

If that's true the politics in East Asian entertainment circles is really weird.

I think there's already been some hint abt it in CAROLS PV

hmmm let me just watch the carols PV again carefully...

*confused*
well, im supporting ayu, no matter what!
*o*

Well, I think the reason that Ayu doesn't want controversy to arise because of her win can be confirmed. The following extract was done through the WorldLingo Translation.

Yup, I think she doesn't want to generate controversy and she does note that there are other artistes that might be even more worthy of the award than she is. Yar, a good display of character I must say.

It's definitely not her backing out because she thinks she can't win.

Very interresting~~ Ken Hirai is very big, you are maybe right...

so is she not taking part this year or forever??

lets hope not... if not all those prix award programs will be darn boring without her around =\ hahaha... and thanx for the translations!!

but i think ayu did the right choice!! its a wise move... its a win-lose situation... if u were to see that ayu were to join the awards.... if she is got the award people will say she won it because of internal relations... but if she dont, people will say her popularity is declining and so on and write loadz of ugly articles... =\ u see...

Update
 

There is a statement from Ayu on her official site regarding her absence from the various 2004 music awards: http://www.avexnet.or.jp/ayu/news/041130.html

I'll be very, very grateful if someone could translate this announcement. I don't want to speculate about her reasons based only on autotranslations.

Let's just keep it simple and clear: Ayumi Hamasaki is the queen of all Japanese music and she is stepping down to let others win.. I don't mind that :P

HOLY CRAP! Someone please translate that page!! ><

I think that Ayu is smart for doing what she is doing, even though I really wanted to see her win the Record Awards this year!! :yes I was really expecting INSPIRE to win too!! XD i remember her last year when she won with No way to say!

Needless to say, I approve and respect whichever decisions Ayu makes and support her fully! :love :luv2 :love

i hope this doesn't mean anything about quiting...
...ayu doing something she's been dreaming to...
the Asia Tour..then this declining to attend any awards..
T.T

Why would anyone decline an award nomination? They should do it like any normal award show, you get nominated whether you like it or not. And if you don't want to be there to accept it, then fine... This awards show just seems very fake to me anyway...

Maybe she sees it as being kind of fake too, and that's partially why she's chosen to step out this time around?

I don't know if this helps, but I got this from Excite! Translator:

I tihnk the boldened line might clear some things up.

I auto-translated an article from Sanspo, which was also mentioned on Tokyo-Nights.

I'm sure thats not the only reason. But i'm glad she does want to focus on the countdown live, especially if its going to be a DVD release.

hello everyone, I am a newB. I think Ayu is trying to sustain her popularity with her fans by not being in the spotlight all the time, sort of keeping her fans talking about her... hey, isn't what we doing?

On her homepage, she said that there were many things surrounding her decision. She said that she wanted to write on her homepage about the refusal of the nomination, because with the AVEX rebellion (family problems LOL) there were many people making a lot out of her apology. So, she wanted to communicate directly. She thought that this year, her music has been more toward the fans that she is always grateful to and that INSPIRE was really her message about how she has come to affluence in the music world because of her fans and their support. REgarding the rebellion, there was a lot of cynicism at that time. (I'm not following 100% at this point ^^;;; ) Anyway, INSPIRE is her masterwork for this year and she would like to turn her attention to her lives, countdown, and toward her fans. So she will politely say that she will not enter into the award consideration, because it would be very rude to be nominated and then refuse to be considered.

Thank you!!!

According to the article in SANSPO, the decision was to face her fans, her countdown, and her tour with full-on determination.

According to YOMIURI and someone with ties to Ms. Hamasaki, there was also the idea that when she received three awards, she was struck by how precious receiving the awards was. She realized that now, she has new goals in mind. Moreover, she will not enter into any of the usual awards for consideration. She will probably not enter into any anymore. So it said.

Thanks for the translation!! Ayu always seems very honest with her fans about what's going on <3

Poor ayu :( Little does she know a lot of her fans hate INSPIRE. :no I'm glad I love the song though. Now she actually explained what the title of the song means, INSPIRE comes from the inspiration she gets from the support of her fans, she makes art (music) because she has people who appreciate it. That's why INSPIRE was used as a theme of that art conference! Thanks a lot for the translation hanabiwings!

^I agree with you.I really like INSPIRE and I think it is very noble thing for Ayu to do by not being involved with the awards.I also find it very nice of her to turn her attention towards her fans.

....news on ayu official site
 

its from ayu's official site n dated 30th november (in japan time)... anyone can translate it?... if this news has been posted before forgive me..

2004年11月30日 ayuからのメッセージ

ただいま！＆お知らせ！！
お知らせって言っても、既にみんなへ伝わってしまったので、出遅れてしまったけど。まず、今回の賞レース辞 退の件について。
本当は、今夜ayuがまずここでみんなにつたえてから明日の新聞等で発表というカタチを私達は予定していた んだけど、何故か一日早く情報が漏れてしまいこうして、ayuの言葉が後回しになってしまった事がとても残 念だし悔しいなぁと思う。
みんなも、ayuから何にも聞いてないよー！って思っただろうね。
それでは、改めて今回の件について、何故ayuがそのような決断をくだしたかをはなすね。
まず、今日の新聞でも触れてあったように、今年の夏に起きたAVEX騒動が何よりの理由です。
ayu自身の発言によって、みんなにはありえない程の心配をかけました。たくさんの人達に迷惑をかけました 。自分が騒動を大きくしてしまったうえに、皮肉な事にあの時リリースしたばかりだった曲の知名度まで上がっ てしまいました。今年のayuの代表曲となるのは、きっと、いや確実にINSPIREでしょう 。
そんな風にして、世の中の人々に認知してもらった曲に対して、私はいつものように『みんなで貰った賞だから 、代表して』なんてとてもじゃないけど言えないと思いました。だって、さんざんみんなに悲しい思いをさせて しまったのに。
だから、今年は数々の素晴らしい賞に、もしも私がノミネートされる事があったら、それから辞退を申し入れる のは失礼にあたると考え、こうして前もって辞退をさせて頂く事にしました。
今年も本当に色んな事があったけど、みんなはいつもayuを信じてついて来てくれた。私は歌でこの感謝の気 持ちを伝えて行く事しか出来ないから、例年よりも少しだけ、ライブへ向けての時間をもらえた分、カウントダ ウン、そして続くツアーで最高のエンターテイメントを今までよりもっともっとパワーアップして届けたいと思 っています。正直、納得がいかないという人も中にはいるかも知れません。でもこれが、私が考えに考えて考え 抜いた結論です。これが、ayuの選んだ道です。

では、長くなってしまったので、韓国の話はまた次回にするね！
愛を込めて...ayu。



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

う～んっ...
何か、いまいちうまく伝えきれてないような気がするっ。
考え過ぎ？
つまりは、あの騒動に関して、自分のとった行動が嘘になってしまうのが嫌で、自粛したという部 分もある。
という事だけ、付け加えさせて下さい。

今度こそっ。またね！！！

thanks for the info
this is what i got from excite

November 30, 2004 Message from ayu

It is !& information now!! Since information って言って has also already got across to everybody, although it has been late. First, this prize race 辞 About the affair of 退 In fact, we were planning KATACHI first called an announcement with tomorrow's [ つたえて to ] newspaper etc. to everybody here in ayu tonight. It is very 残 that information will leak early for why or one day, and the language of ayu has become deferment in this way although it is ん. I am a sense and think that it is mortifying. everybody is also asking nothing to ayu -! って思っ free wax Then, why does it release ayu made such a decision about this affair anew? First, as today's newspaper has also described, the AVEX disturbance which occurred in the summer of this year is a reason above all. By the own utterance of ayu, worries to the extent that it cannot be were applied to everybody. Trouble was made to many people. It has gone up to the notability of music [ he having enlarged the disturbance and also having just released to the ironical thing at that time ]. INSPIRE will serve as representation music of ayu this year awfully certainly surely. . I am usual to the music made such a wind and I had people of a world recognize -- as -- " -- since [ ] it is the prize got all together -- representing -- " etc. -- even if -- it is not -- although -- I thought that it could not say terrible [ だって and ] -- a sad thought is carried out to everybody -- making -- Kept. Therefore, declining will be offered if I may be nominated for many wonderful prizes this year. I thought that it hit impolite and it was made allowed to decline beforehand in this way. Although it might also be 色ん truly this year, everybody always believed ayu and followed. Since I can only do conveying the feeling of this gratitude and going in a song, I want to upgrade much more the entertainment highest on the part from which only a few was able to get time to turn to the live, countdown, and the continuing tour from former, and to send it rather than an ordinary year. Honesty and the man that it is not satisfactory may also be in inside. But this is the conclusion about which I thought and thought long and hard in the idea. This is the way which ayu chose. Since it has become long, is the South Korean talk made into next time again? Love is put... ayu. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- obtaining -- ~ んっ ... something and a not quite satisfactory mind which can be well conveyed as it cannot be cutting -- するっ thinking too much -- ? -- getting it blocked -- part that it was disagreeable that the action which he took became a lie about that disturbance, and it exercised self-control a part -- it is Please only let it add to say. Next time こそっ. It is !!! again.

i have a bad feeling about this too... i dunno... just got this feeling about her retiring... and i don't want that at all... love her music

=__=;; I'm still confused..;; what's happening?

isn't it something about the thing she declined to participate in?

hmmm i still dont get it~

um...must rephrase or something?

I think it's about not participating in the Japan Record Awards... Somethign about how she wants to focas on her Live Preformances and achieve some level that few have. Also, she declined to participate because of the Avex ordeal earlier this summer, ie her potential defection. It seems like a simple explanation to her fans...

Can someone summarize it the reasons about Ayu not gonna participate in the award? Thanks!

That's her newest message on the TeamAyu website, and they've also put it on the main site.

Basically, it's her explaining why she isn't participating in the awards thing this year. She also expresses a bit of dissapointment that the information made it to the papers before she was able to tell her fans etc herself. It's been on TV and in the newspapers in Japan today. I believe they were going to officially announce it today and Ayu was going to post that information the day before, however it must've been 'leaked' in some way or another.

Thanks for the info, matt. Pity the info was leaked before Ayu could announce it.

She confirmed she's not accepting any possible award from this show.

Oh just saw this infor. thanks for the tranlations matt and didnt know that INSPIRE is her masterwork for this year. Yeap love the song it is a master piece :yes

AH! I know her reasons. I read it on yahoo.co.jp! It's because of this summer. Japanese people haven't forgotten the big conflict between Avex and Ayu. So, she wants to be quiet about this. It's not my opinion, it's what I read and understood. Since Ayu didn't agree with Avex on most of points, someone could say "Oh, Ayu's style of selling CD is too dirty. She said she dislikes Avex but she claime prizes because of their way of selling." It's for that. But... since this is the 4th page, I guess nobody will read my post.

I will say it again: I hope she goes to another record label. AVEX is not a very good place to work.

BEST AUTO TRANSLATION EVER! :yeek

Hey, I read your post! Thank you for explaining Ayu's reasons.

This is a translation of a Chinese translation of her message on 2nd December...since it's a second translation I hope not too much is lost in translation :) anyway here it is, Ayu speaking:

I have something to say to everyone!

Although it is an announcement, some newspapers have already reported it so it is a bit late.
Let's start from my quitting of the awards.
I've wanted to tell everyone about this on here, and then let the newspapers publish it. But somehow the news got leaked, and it's regretful that I have to say this late.
Maybe you all are thinking, 'we haven't heard anything from Ayu herself'?
So, then, let me explain it to you all. Just like how the newspaper said, this is related to Avex's internal conflicts this summer.
From my point of view, I have made people worry and caused trouble for alot of people.
Not only did the situation get worse because of what I said, ironically, my single sales at the time (she's refering to INSPIRE) have increased. If you remember, INSPIRE is the my signature song of this year.
In the current state of situation, in such a well known song like this (INPSIRE again), although I did not have the usual "because everyone accepts me, therefore I became their role model" type thoughts, I could not say it in the song. What the heck, I have put such sad thoughts in everyone. *
Therefore, in this year's award ceremony, I decided to quit first because if I quit after I am nominated it would be a rude thing to do
Alot of things have happened this year, but everyone like always have still trusted Ayu. I can only use my songs to get my gratitude across, if only slightly more than in the past. I want to present to everyone even better lives, countdown lives, and the upcoming tour, giving everyone the best enjoyment! But then, there would be people who won't accpet this decision (to quit the award). However, I have made this decision after much thinking. This is this path that Ayu chose.

Ayu who feels full of love

um....don't know why but I feel like I didn't get the message across clear enough.
Maybe I'm thinking too much?
Anyway, about that conflict (in summer), I hate the bad decision I made, even though I tempted to control myself.
Just wanted to say these few things.
This is a real goodbye!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~

* this whole paragraph is a bit unclear. The original Chinese translation didn't make much sense either. But then again I think Ayu herself is jumping around a bit between her thoughts which is why it doesn't make alot of sense. Sorry about that. :doh

Didn't say what will happen yet next year.

i will support what her decision~~~!!