23rd July 2007, 02:25 AM
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OK here's my translation of the first article:
Quote:
3 Reasons for Pop Princess Ayumi Hamasaki's catastrophic decision.
[Originally posted July 18, 2007]
It was too sudden. Ayumi Hamasaki (28) and TOKIO's Tomoya Nagase (28) have come to an end. Last week on the 13th, Hamasaki declared on her own official homepage, "Though it's sudden, I have broken up with my lover."
Last year, the pair was caught holding hands upon their return from Los Angeles and living together. There was even a "wedding countdown" so what happened between these two ---- ?
■ Indecisiveness
Called "Pop Princess" and "Queen" Hamasaki is already 28 years old. She is of a marriageable age. Though she had been in relations for 7 years, Nagase had never said a word about marriage, so she had given up on him.
Entertainment reporter Tomoko Kawauchi had this to say -
"The cause of this is "nagasugita haru" (long spring). As Nagase is a member of Johnny's Jimusho, it is better for him to go with the flow (in other words, for him to be seen as single). There is a sense of obligation to the office, so there is a feeling that you can't propose marriage. So to Hamasaki, this is an indecisive man. She finally had enough and put her foot down."
[devilayu note: "Nagasugita Haru" is the title of a movie in which the lead couple leads a pure life. So for this article, Kawauchi is basically saying that she thinks Ayu had enough of pretending that they weren't together. Johnny's does not want their performers to be in relationships as it turns female fans away.]
■Power Balance
The two had a chance meeting filming a drama in '93 but started dating in '01. At that time, Hamasaki had hit after hit, setting new records and receiving awards. She was taking off.
On the other hand, Nagase as a member of TOKIO had not had such big achievements. There was a great disparity between them as a couple.
"Hamasaki herself had overwhelming superiority, position-wise, at that time. She was comfortable with Nagase, I think. But in those 7 years, Nagase was both an actor and a singer, a star on the rise. Inversely, Hamasaki had less hits, a "power-down". The balance between them began to crumble. I think that was the cause." (entertainment reporter)
■I choose work
With the rise of a younger artist, it was becoming clear that Hamasaki's position within Avex was changing. With 3 consecutive albums selling 1 million copies, appearing in CM's and movies, and even appearing as a pachinko character, Koda Kumi's existence was becoming a threat.
"It's very likely that Hamasaki chose work over Nagase. Evidence of this is that her schedule for the next two years is packed. She has tentatively chosen to be a lead actor in a movie next year. She has reset her feelings and absorbed herself into work, deciding to separate with Nagase." (Tomoko Kawauchi)
Choosing to break-up, will we see that day when Hamasaki once again ascends to being "Queen"?
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Please do not distribute this to other forums as I did this specifically for AHS.
If you'd like to post this elsewhere, please PM me first and be sure to credit me.
Last edited by devilayu; 23rd July 2007 at 02:30 AM.
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