I meet at my work many Japanese people each week. Sometimes we talk a little bit more, and usually they ask what I like about Japan etc. Almost every time, when I mention Ayu, and that I like her music (sometimes I even add something like "I know she's not that popular anymore etc") they tell me "Yeah, but she's still the biggest singer in our country", and I get this answer from different age groups. But not that many people know when she is releasing something (but this happens with Namie too, people tell me that they like her, but then they're like "oh, is she releasing a ballad best album, really?". With Ayu they usually add "DID YOU KNOW THAT SHE MARRIED THAT FOREIGNER?!"
