Photo: Instagram/@a.you
entertainment

Singer Ayumi Hamasaki criticized by fans for 'inappropriate' Instagram picture

44 Comments
By Dale Roll, SoraNews24

These days the list of things to be outraged about is pretty long. Some things are worth addressing, like racism, sexism, and anti-Semitism, but sometimes the things that people get riled up about, particularly when it comes to celebrities in Japan, are major head-scratchers. Putting your hands in your pockets when it’s cold outside? …How dare you? Tattooing your family’s names on your shoulder? For shame…?

Even fashion icon and superstar singer Ayumi Hamasaki, famous for dominating the Japanese pop music scene in the 2000s, is not immune. She’s been under fire by Korean fans before, but now Japanese fans are mad at her too. Why? Because she posted a photo of herself sitting in a shopping cart on Instagram.

The picture looks entirely harmless. Ayumi is sitting in a red shopping cart, with her knees folded in front of her, wearing stylish round sunglasses and casually dangling her wedge sandals over the edge of the cart. She’s smiling happily and looking like she’s having a great time, and since the picture is off-center, and the colors of the graffiti-painted buildings behind her are bright and vibrant, it’s actually a pretty artistic shot.

But Japanese netizens had nothing but criticism for the photo, according to livedoor news. Many thought posing like this was inappropriate for a 40-year-old woman. Since Hamasaki is an internationally renowned celebrity, she is a representative of Japan, and has an undeniable influence on the youth of Japan. Apparently, sitting in a shopping cart is shockingly immature behavior for a woman of her age and stature.

Interestingly, people seemed half-pleased that she had removed her shoes before climbing in–as a polite gesture to maintaining the cleanliness of the cart, perhaps?–but some said it was not enough, and she was still setting a bad example by being in the cart at all. “Shopping carts are not for riding!” some people allegedly criticized.

Hamasaki is not the only celebrity to be criticized for misusing shopping carts. In January of 2018, pro baseball player Sho Nakata uploaded a shot of himself being pushed around in a cart by his teammates during a practice camp in the U.S., and was also called “an embarrassment to Japanese people” as a result.

That picture was quickly deleted, but Hamasaki appears not to be deterred; she seems to have disabled comments, but the picture remains up and proud on her Instagram. Whether in defiance of the criticism or simply as an inspirational quote, the photo’s caption says, “Take a deep breath for my brain…And live ourselves lives, not others”, perhaps intending to mean, “Live your own life” or “Live for yourself”. So it seems clear that she won’t be deleting it any time soon.

Source: livedoor news via Hachima Kiko

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© SoraNews24

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

44 Comments
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Half the people nowadays are looking for reasons to get offended. It's so tiring and is getting old quick. She's Ayu though, so the haters can try, but they literally cannot put her down. Also, to the writer of this article, ditto to what Nick Rixon said. Her song "ourselves" was released in 2003 conveying the same message as her photo caption.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

She probably meant ourselves as a pun on her song of the same name, which is always written in lowercase. Her English is pretty fluent.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Actually the photo is very poorly composed - vast open space in the background with the art walls far away lacks removes interest and anything to pickup. That is a total amateur shot. With Ayumi on the left that’s fine but the camera man should be over on the left zooming in and having Ayumi fill up a third to a half of the left of the frame. So with such a poorly composed photo, no wonder everyone’s angry!!! Problem is, they’re taking it out on Ayumi!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The image above has 42000 likes not exactly a lot of criticism.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Kenji FujimoriJune 10 12:55 pm JSTShe's a washed put star, trying to get her 5 mins of fame..

Andy Warhol said that everyone will be famous for 15 minutes. He was right and Ayumi's time may be up.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I don't think we have the right to judge how Japanese people react to this particular photo. Just as westerners have a specific way of life, so too do the Japanese; their culture and lifestyle are totally different. That's the beautiful thing about cultures - we're all different and see things from a different perspective.

So going back to the photo in question, we can have our own opinions on what we think is right or wrong - but I don't think it's fair to criticize Japanese people for how they react. Keep in mind that Japanese culture is all about conformity - there is a discourse, societal expectation as to how people should look and behave.

Note that I'm not saying it is absolutely wrong to sit inside a shopping trolley as I am probably guilty of doing so myself. But in a world where people are more connected than ever before, let's try and put ourselves in other people's / citizen's perspective to see why and how they might think the way they do.

By criticizing the outrage of the Japanese netizens, are we not doing the very thing we are outraged about?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

But Japanese netizens had nothing but criticism for the photo, according to livedoor news. Many thought posing like this was inappropriate for a 40-year-old woman. Since Hamasaki is an internationally renowned celebrity, she is a representative of Japan, and has an undeniable influence on the youth of Japan. Apparently, sitting in a shopping cart is shockingly immature behavior for a woman of her age and stature.

Interestingly, people seemed half-pleased that she had removed her shoes before climbing in–as a polite gesture to maintaining the cleanliness of the cart, perhaps?–but some said it was not enough, and she was still setting a bad example by being in the cart at all. “Shopping carts are not for riding!” some people allegedly criticized.

You have got to be kidding me?! Personally, I don’t like the woman’s music and especially her voice, don’t think she has a shred of musical talent, but having said that, she was a huge icon musically in Japan and I don’t see anything wrong with the photo other than, there’s nothing special about it at all. At this point in her life she should just throw her finger in the air and tell everyone to milk a rubber duck. The woman didn’t engage in any crime, who cares what she does for her music artistically. Wonder what they think of Lady GaGa or Björk...

The woman can do what she wants and talent or no talent, she should never cave into social pressure because the public finds it unethical. I found Yoko Ono’s artworks artistically disgusting, but she has the right in a free society to express her art anyway she pleases, I just choose to ignore it. People need to start leaving others alone, as long as it’s not destructive to your daily life, who cares?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

has anyone noticed that Japanese behave much differently when they are overseas? I highly doubt they would get in shopping carts in Japan.

Anyway, Hamazaki has not been relevant for about 16 years now so who cares?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Who cares what's she's in, give me break. This is a none story.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

BungleJune 10 08:38 am JST said:

It's funny, because earlier in the day, I was chatting with Ayumi in the supermarket. Another customer noticed that she was holding a barcode, and then asked us if we were an item...

Groan!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Make that BEING YOU

small keyboard on phone and large fingers

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Its nice and refreshing to see that my favorite artist is still human and knows how to have a little fun. Makes her that much more worthy of my admiration for her. KEEP BEONG YOU!!!!! We need more people like Ayumisan to keep us properly grounded.

Ken Dotson

USA Fan for life

2 ( +2 / -0 )

The sad part is that stuff like this is even considered newsworthy. I put this on a par with all the recent angst about Game of Thrones. Come on, news media, stop pandering to lowbrow minds and give us real news :P

3 ( +3 / -0 )

So it seems clear that she won’t be deleting it any time soon

Not that clear actually. If she values her fans ( and some non-fans), she just might delete it & apologize...knowing Japanese celebrities.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Those people criticizing are not fans, ignore them.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Oh lighten the hell up Japan! You've got worse things to worry about

2 ( +4 / -2 )

WTF? Seriously? Of all the things to complain about... sitting in a shopping trolley? Really? Ayumi should just ignore these complaints - they are made by people who are just a tad deranged.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Once upon a time, horror movies was scary. Now everything has become scary....right in your eyes...on your hand.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Not sure about her being an internationally renowned celebrity, but I would push her around in a cart (or do anything) else she wants...

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Why am I reading this?

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Ayumi Hamasaki posts a photo to get attention. The professional offence-takers react giving Ayumi Hamasaki more attention. The more sober minds weigh in criticising the professional offence-takers giving Ayumi Hamasaki more attention.

It seems famous people posting unusual photos on Instagram is a really good idea.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

The Age of Outrage. It wouldn't be a picture if someone wasn't angry.

Of course, people would be angry no matter the picture.

Personally, I think it's a pretty cool shot. And you could show me that shot 1000 times in a 1000 circumstances, and not once would I say 'be careful about putting that on Instagram'.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Making an entire article about internet trolls/netizens only feeds them to do more. It seems like half of the entertain and sports articles I read nowadays are about peoples' reactions on social media.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Since Hamasaki is an internationally renowned celebrity, she is a representative of Japan, and has an undeniable influence on the youth of Japan. 

If she's not on the Billboard list, she's not international anything..

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

She's a washed put star, trying to get her 5 mins of fame..

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

She just wants attention and reactions from people. I guess that's what you do when your star is fading. maybe she just wants to extend her Famous 15 minutes a bit longer.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

I kinda like the photo. Her comments don’t seem that interesting, though.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Olympic opening ceremony stage act gestating...

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

gee...it's just a shopping cart, not a sacred Japanese traditional item...give the poor woman a break for goodness sake...I didn't know shopping carts had such a venerated status here...cut the crap with the age/gender/role discrimination, she isn't purposely disrespecting anyone...

6 ( +7 / -1 )

I read the article, read the comments, then viewed her Instagram. Good Lord I'm bored.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

I don't think Ayumi is too concerned about the criticism being as how she has over 42,628 likes on that picture.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Rest of the world internet commenters: "you suck", comments about your mother, profanity, trolling

Japanese internet commenters: High and mighty self righteous nastiness that holds no bounds.

Its a scary world on Japanese social media/internet boards.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

It's funny, because earlier in the day, I was chatting with Ayumi in the supermarket. Another customer noticed that she was holding a barcode, and then asked us if we were an item...

The fact that this advanced-level Dad joke was downvoted just shows you how humorless people are around here.

And we're criticizing outraged netizens? Just take a look in the mirror.

-1 ( +7 / -8 )

It does look like something I would do as a bored 12 year old up to no good in the supermarket.

I guess it does makes her look trashy.

-8 ( +2 / -10 )

Haters gunna hate innit. Pay little mind to little minds!

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Since Hamasaki is an internationally renowned celebrity, she is a representative of Japan.

Only if she chooses to be, otherwise a ridiculous statement. Is Keith Richards a representative of the UK? Is Madonna a representative of the US? They are very "internationally renowned," after all.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Netizens today don't have anything to do instead criticize famous people. I mean, she was very popular, okay. But, what's the problem to take a photo like this?

Behind a PC, it's easy to do anything! DO SOMTHING USEFUL!

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Is she still relevant?

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

This puts us in the meta state of commenting on the Internet about comments on the Internet.

Full marks to them if its Hamazaki's own people who are drumming up the controversy.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I liked her way back in the days but Hamasaki has become weird and did too much unnecessary plastic surgery.

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

The internet at least since anti-social media took primacy is a vehicle of outrage, pearl clutching, virtue signalling and unbridled narcissism. We can feel outrage by Ayumi's actions or outraged by the wack job puritans critiquing her. What's the solution? Stop posting selfies, enabling comments, or discussing tempests in teapots on message boards? Hard to imagine putting that genie back in the bottle. Most of us 1st world-ers have too much time on our hands.

8 ( +11 / -3 )

Ayumi, don't know you but gotta say, don't listen to those criticizing you. 40 years old and still able to have fun and enjoy life without disrespecting anyone or damaging anything. Good on you to be happy and enjoy life. And to those criticizing her, get a life and stop harping on people trying to be happy.

16 ( +19 / -3 )

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