NHK's decision to omit veteran enka singer Sachiko Kobayashi, 59, from this year's "Kohaku Uta Gassen" (Red and White Song Contest) on New Year's Eve, has generated a lot of buzz in the tabloid media and online.
According to a survey conducted by Yahoo Japan! news, 72,000 out of 82,000 respondents -- about 90% -- agreed with NHK's decision to omit the singer known for her lavish costumes.
Many of those who agreed gave as their reason the ongoing trouble between Kobayashi and her former long-term business partner.
The trouble started earlier this year after Kobayashi fired Yoshie Sekine, president of Sachiko Promotions, who had managed her for more than 30 years. The tabloids speculated that she was prompted to fire Sekine by her new husband (whom she married in November 2011) who thought the extravagant costumes were a waste of money and didn't look good, especially after the March 11, 2011 disaster.
"The world of enka is all about morality and dignity, but Kobayashi destroyed this image by getting involved in such a dispute," said one respondent. Another said the whole incident has sullied her public image.
The survey will continue until Dec 6.
© Japan Today
26 Comments
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some14some
not really. extravagant stage for AKB48 is acceptable but not Kobayashi's costumes? Anyway, i am not her fan and would accept survey results :)
papasmurfinjapan
Sounds like her new husband has some common sense. I agree with him.
basroil
Looks like the ratings are going to drop.
megosaa
Nooooooo! was looking forward to what she is gonna wear this year! :p
nath
End of an era. Sad. AKB will have to take up the challenge.
Pixilated
I'm a bit confused. So this enka singer was not invited to be on this year's show simply because she fired her long-term business partner, on the grounds of wearing such lavish costumes (which I assume her manager was responsible for) was distasteful and a waste of money after September 11th? Is that a correct summary?
So ninety percent of the people on this survey think that not inviting her because she fired someone for this reason to be without "morality" or "dignity?"
electric2004
Actually maybe many persons think listening to her singing is terrible.
So they found a more polite way to kick her out.
smithinjapan
Pixilated: "...was distasteful and a waste of money after September 11th? Is that a correct summary?"
Just a point of order that it was March 11th of last year referred to in the article, not the Sept 11 terrorist attacks.
DudeDeuce
At least she sings her song on stage. SMAP, AKB, Arashi, Perfume and many more will once again lip sync their way into brainwashing people that they have talent.
GW
“The world of enka is all about morality and dignity
Dang, guess this is why I never get THAT call for the year end thingy, think I will continue to survive.......
Himajin
Not only that. She was on all the afternoon shows making a fuss and all the details were all over the news every day. After days and days of it, she started to look bad.
nath
The whole Kigali program doesn't have to snow, it's the most boring thing to do on new years eve....why not show concerts of foreign singers..tha would be more interesting.
Pixilated
That was a typing mistake, I knew that the article referred to March 11th, but out of habit I typed September 11th without realizing it.
Yubaru
Do you know the difference between AKB and enka?
kyushubill
I guess I will just have to go out New Years eve with my wife as we planned any way. Dinner at Cerise and dancing in the Conrad ballroom. This news about Kobayashi will have zero effect on my life and I'm pretty sure zero on yours as well.
CHAMADE
Ill miss her sublimely ludicrous, three story high skirts.Although I never took her singing seriously . Enka is Japan's country and western....
Tomasz Stasinski
In that case I won't invite NHK to my home. Who am I kidding? I never invite them anyway.
nath
i like the okama guy that used to duel with her over costumes at kohaku. he hasnt been on for years and maybe half of her appeal went with him...
Pukey2
You mean Mikawa Kenichi? Having NEVER watched this show, I've always wondered which team Mikawa represented.
nath
I was looking forward to seeing what Sachiko was going to wear this year. Between this and the grand Korean exclusion from this year's Kohaku, this year's show may be one big let down... but I am still routing for Akagumi.
nath
thats him Pukey 2. what side he roots for?
Ninoh
Hey she had a good run as long as it lasted, it's time to move on!
combinibento
I've seen enough of her phoniness to last a lifetime and anyway I think she sounds like a guy when she sings.
Sim Meng Hai
Hope NHK will keep in mind that Red & White Contest is watch worldwide. In Singapore, if we don't watch the programme, the new year celebration would feel the same. We wish very thing will turn out well between NHK and Sachiko Kobayashi. Many thanks.
nath
I wish she would come back.
Hafiz Yahya
look at the experience of that person in her heart,not the fashion cause the her song sayonara arigatou have a meaning and that was she saying thank you to people in japan,so appreciate the word she said from the bottom of her heart.