[info] Regarding about A BEST 2, Asia tour from max matsuura blog

[Ayumiko]

Found this from his blog:...from the rough translations, its something about the asia tour and A BEST 2

ayu アジア進出

いよいよayuがアジアへ進出 する。
ayuとこの話しをしてからもう、
かれこれ5年くらいかかった気がする。
5年前のアジアと今のアジアでは
ものすごい変化が起きている。
その中で時期をうかがいつつ
やっと、今年、ベストアルバム を
引っさげてのアジア進出となる。
この間の香港への来訪の時も感じたが
あゆのアジア特に中国での人気はすさまじい。
若い人で知らない人はいないくらいだ。
「濱崎歩」　ピンチーブー　と呼ばれている。
北京でも開催したかったが
2008年の北京オリンピックの準備のため
ほとんどのホール等が改装されていて
場所がなく、北京は止む無く断念した。
とにかく初めての事なので不安も多いが
いつもayuは僕らの期待に答えてくれる。
彼女のがんばりに期待している。

translation from excite:

Ayu Asia advancement

Ayu finally advances to Asia.
After doing ayu and this speaking, I have already thought that it
nearly takes about five years.
Portentous changes have occurred in Asia and Asia today of five years
ago.
It finally becomes the Asia advancement of ..best album of this year..
...pull.. looking for time in that.
Popularity in Asia of feeling, especially in China is terrific at the
visit to Hong Kong between these.
Nobody knows by a young person.
It is called "Hamazakiayu" pinch boh.
Even Beijing : though I wanted to hold.
Most halls etc. were redecorated because of the preparation for the
Beijing Olympics in 2008, there was no place, and Beijing abandoned
that it was stopped.
Anyway, ayu always answers our expectations though there are a lot of
uneasiness because it is the first time, too.
It expects it of her holding out.

There was a link from the entry which leads to this from yahoo headlines:

　歌手・浜崎あゆみ（２９）が、２月２８日に６年ぶりとなるベストアルバム「Ａ　ＢＥＳＴ　２」をリリース することが３日、分かった。せつない１４曲を集めた「Ａ　ＢＥＳＴ　２　ＢＬＡＣＫ」と、明るい１４曲を収 録した「-ＷＨＩＴＥ」の２タイトルで、それぞれＤＶＤ２枚付きの特別バージョンも発売される。４５０万枚を売り上げ た前作「Ａ　ＢＥＳＴ」を超える究極の作品になりそう。また、３月からは初めて海外（上海、香港、台北）で の公演を含む全国ツアーをスタートさせる。
　新年早々、あゆからビッグプレゼントが届くことになった。４５０万枚という驚異的セールスを記録した「Ａ 　ＢＥＳＴ」から６年。今作は、３年連続レコード大賞の金字塔を打ち立てた受賞曲「Ｄｅａｒｅｓｔ」（０１ 年）、「Ｖｏｙａｇｅ」（０２年）、「Ｎｏ　ｗａｙ　ｔｏ　ｓａｙ」（０３年）のほか、０１年のミリオンシ ングル「ｅｖｏｌｕｔｉｏｎ」～最新曲「Ｂｏｌｄ　＆　Ｄｅｌｉｃｉｏｕｓ」までの作品からセレクト。ファ ンならずとも垂ぜんものの計２８曲で“歌姫”の集大成的アルバムに仕上がった。
　明るい曲を集めた「ＷＨＩＴＥ」と、タイトル未定の新曲を含む、切ない曲を詰め込んだ「ＢＬＡＣＫ」の２ バージョン。いずれもＣＤのみ盤と、ＣＤ＋ＤＶＤ盤の２パターンを発売。初回限定版はカラーケース入りの仕 様になる。目玉は貴重な映像たっぷりのＤＶＤ。“黒版”ではＣＤ収録曲のビデオクリップと、「カウントダウ ンライブ０６-０７」の貴重な長編ドキュメンタリー映像入り。“白版”は収録曲ビデオクリップとカウントダウンライブの本 編映像が盛り込まれる。
　昨年はソロアーティストとして、史上初めてシングルの総売り上げ２０００万枚を突破。大みそかの紅白歌合 戦のステージでも「ＪＥＷＥＬ」を貫録十分に歌い上げた。大ヒット確実の“究極ベスト”発売後の３月１０日 からは全国ツアーがスタート。ツアーとしては初の海外公演となる３都市を含む８カ所１３公演を行う。女王は ０７年も“あゆみ”を止めない。

Translation from excite:

Singer and Ayumi's Hamasaki (29) releasing best album "A BEST 2" that becomes February 28 after an interval of six years has understood the third. A special version of the DVD2 piece adhering is put on the market respectively by two titles of "-WHITE" that collects "A BEST 2 BLACK" that collects 14 who is not Setsu and bright 14. It seems to become an ultimate work that exceeds work "A BEST" before having sold 4.5 million pieces. Moreover, a nationwide tour including the performance by foreign countries (Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Taipei) is started for the first time in March.
At the beginning, the Big present will reach in a new year. Six years from "A BEST" that records marvelous sales of 4.5 million pieces. The work now is selected from the work to Mirionshingl "evolution" ? latest tune "Bold&Delicious" of 01 years besides winning tune "Dearest" (01 years) that builds up the monument of the Japan Record Grand Prix 3 years in a row, "Voyage" (02 years), and "No way to say" (03 years). It finished by 28 total of the coveting one ..not fan.. becoming.. ..compiled album of "Female professional singer"... Content of new song of "WHITE" that collects bright tunes and undecided title, and two versions of "BLACK" that packs painful tune. Only CD puts both of the two patterns (the board and the CD+DVD board) on the market. The limited edition first time becomes a specification with the color case. The eyeball is DVD enough image valuable. It is addition in "Black version" valuable long documentary image of video clip of CD collection tune and "Live 06-07-countdown". As for "White version", this live volume image for the collection tune video clip and the countdown is included. Total 20 million sales of the single were exceeded for the first time ever as a solo artist last year. Dignity sang "JEWEL" out in a loud voice also in the stage of the Red and White New Year's Music Special of the large last day of the month at ten minutes. A nationwide tour starts on March 10 after a certain smash hit is put on the market "Ultimate the best". Eight place 13 performances including three cities that become the first overseas performances are done as a tour. The queen doesn't stop "Ayumi" for as many as 07 years.


*If someone can translate them better please do!

OK...so to sum it up,

-each A BEST 2 will have 14 tracks
-A BEST 2 BLACK will have painful tunes
-A BEST 2 WHITE will have bright tunes
-tour starts on March 10, 07 after a certain smash hit is put on the market "Ultimate the best"?...could it be the new song?
-tour will have 8 places with 13 performances including the 3 foreign countries
-something about they wanted to hold a concert in beijing but most halls etc. are being redecorated for the Beijing Olympics in 2008, there was no place?

[~X2RADialbomber~]

Why is every site stating she's 29? I thought she was still 28...

[Ayumiko]

yea I always see them add one year older for some ppl.

[minkAYuko]

interesting... I wanted to see her perform in Beijing! for 2008 they will have the most spectacular arenas and domes ever! I want her to go back after the Olympics!

[summersnow]

thks for sharing this. ya why did they add one year older for Ayu's age? Maybe that's her age for year 2007?

[ayuflareup!]

OMG, ayu will be 30 next year..-.-~~~~how about Namie??? is she older than Ayu?
i only know Ai is around 24
Koda is 23
Suzuki is 25 this feb
Mika is 22
Olivia is 26
BoA is definitely 20 (MADE IN TWENTY album)

[~angel*ayumi~]

Originally Posted by ~X2RADialbomber~

Why is every site stating she's 29? I thought she was still 28...

She IS still 28, she will turn 29 in October this year.
Oh and Namie is 29, she will turn 30 this September

[krishna]

Why only 13 performances?
I thought AT 2006 had like 32 performances?
But thanks for the info anyway.

[simonlau]

thanks for the info

[emi♡]

because she is in her 29th year technically.
I dont know yet if I like the news of the Ultimate best...though I was never an advocate for the idea...I think some people will understand why I'm not too keen on that.

Oh well. We'll see what happens.

[Olw---A]

thnaks for traducing...
ok she's 28 but in her 29th year...
it's a pity to do 2 A Best... I mean : I want her best... not every single released after the first one ! and do you rememder A Ballads? it didn't sell as much as A Best. So I'm a little dissapointed to know what I'm gonna buy...

[freedreamer]

14 songs each?..Wow..they really gonna select the BEST of the BEST...im sure she will perform her new song in the AT07 but.. "Ultimate the best" sounds really 'ehh' for a title

[suzaku]

first the problems with too expensive show in Singapore, now no place in Beijing. They have real problem with this tour o.o

[perfectdeath]

ah, 14 tracks... it would've been nice if they tried to cram as much on as possible like a best 1...

[Jettles]

Originally Posted by Pamplemousse

in Asia, well, at least Taiwan and China, they are 1 year older than other areas.

If you are born in 1988, you are considered 1 year old. I was born in 1988 and in America, I am 18 years old. But in Taiwan, I will be 19.

Same thing goes for Korea I believe.

I thought there was going to be 15 tracks on each album? ...or maybe that was just speculation. Oh well. 14 is good enough I suppose. I just hope they include most of my favourites.

[Terri]

^ Yeah, I first heard about this age subject when I was researching a Korean artist.

[explodingbird]

Originally Posted by ayuflareup!

OMG, ayu will be 30 next year..-.-~~~~how about Namie??? is she older than Ayu?
i only know Ai is around 24
Koda is 23
Suzuki is 25 this feb
Mika is 22
Olivia is 26
BoA is definitely 20 (MADE IN TWENTY album)

Mika's only 22?!

EDIT: Or 23, considering she was born in 1983 (from what I'm reading).

So she'd be 24 this year...

But still. Damn. Although 24 seems a bit more fitting, she still seems a few years older than that.

[ayuflareup!]

OMG, Namie will be 30-.-~~ Avex will starts to eliminate old singers-.- because this is the trend in Japan-.-........ Male will stay for longer, just like Ken Hirari, but females are rare-.-~ perhaps MISIA.-.-~~
I don't know why, ages beyond 29 seem old to me-.-~~

[criminal]

Originally Posted by Ayumiko

After doing ayu

Max, you devil!

14 songs sounds quite alright to me. 14+14=28=Ayumi's age.

[Zeke.]

Thanks for this news! Hmm... "Ultimate the Best"? It sounded like that was the title of the song by the way they put it but it doesn't sound too great, but neither did "STEP you" and look what amazing piece of work we got with that one! I want another "STEP you"! But I was hoping to hide the song title from myself until I got my actual copy!