Interest
Prime Minister Abe: I'm Looking Forward to Hatsune Miku Concert
posted on by Lynzee Loveridge
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe might be the latest to fall for virtual idol Hatsune Miku. The prime minister expressed excitement about Hatsune Miku's upcoming concerts abroad at the third Japonismes Integrated Promotion Conference held during the sixth Nihon'nobi (Beauty of Japan) Comprehensive Project meeting at Prime Minister Abe's official residence on June 22.
During the meeting, the discussion turned to the Japonismes 2018 Exhibition in Paris and then to Hatsune Miku's influence overseas. Abe remarks that he's looking forward to the idol's upcoming concerts in Europe.
The Japonismes 2018 Exhibition is a collaboration between Paris and Japan to contribute to world peace by acquainting people with Japanese culture through mixed media. The program line-up includes a performance of the Tōken Ranbu and Sailor Moon musicals and The Hatsune Miku Expo 2018 Europe event. The exhibition itself runs all year with different art and performances available to view.
The Hatsune Miku 2018 Europe event opens on December 1. The event is Hatsune Miku's first live concerts in Europe with three events planned so far. The first takes place in Paris followed by a show Cologne, Germany on December 4 and London on December 8.
Abe has previously weighed in on Japan's anime and manga culture. He appeared as Mario during the Olympic Closing Ceremony in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and also assured creators that dōjinshi (fan comics) would be safe under the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) in 2016.
Source: Seifu Internet TV via Hatsune Mikurin, Yara-on!
