Jin Akanishi to make US debut in spring 2011

Johnny’s star Jin Akanishi (26) will make his US debut as JIN AKANISHI under Warner Music next spring, it was announced at a press conference in Tokyo today, reports Oricon, and Web The Television.

It has been reported that before a crowd of 200 or so press, Akanishi had made a statement in English saying he hopes people would look forward to watching his upcoming performances and songs as he, a Japanese singer, sets off to entertain a larger audience.

The singer had gotten a global contract with Warner Music Group, which starts today, who will be supporting Akanishi as he works between the United States and Asia.

“It’s today.  Today.  I’m feeling nervous being here.

“So many things were happening so fast (in the meetings leading up to the contract) that I didn’t have time to get excited every time.  It hasn’t sunken into me yet.

“I was told about the contract after my LA concert around the end of June.  I was really happy, but then I immediately thought, ‘I have to start writing songs!”,” he said.

It has been reported Akanishi said even though he had been signed to one of the world’s largest record labels, he still had the same aspirations as when he had embarked on his tour last month.

“I was just doing what I wanted to do and this is where I ended up.  I think I’ll go into it having fun like I always do,” he said.

Akanishi had also talked about last month’s 5-city US tour.

“It was greater than I had ever imagined.  And it was fun.

“During my tour I went to meet people at the Warner office and invited a number of them to my concert.  I thought it would be great if five of them came, but nearly everyone I had invited came to see me so I was really happy,” he said.

It has been reported Akanishi thanked his fans in Japan ahead of the Japan leg of his concert tour “Yellow Gold Tour 3010”.

“I get a lot of power from hearing the cheers from my fans in Japan.  I just really want to say thank you.  I wanted to tell all of you about this contract as soon as possible,” he said.

Akanishi’s US Tour has been reported to have attracted 15,000 fans, and is estimated to attract more than 100,000 fans in Japan during his Tokyo and Osaka concerts in January 2011.

Warner Music and Jin Akanishi's press conference (photo thanks to Oricon)

Warner Music Asia Pacific president Lachie Rutherford announces Akanishi's contract (photo thanks to Oricon)

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Source: http://news.thetv.jp/article/19092/

www.oricon.co.jp/news/entertainment/82858/full/

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Warner Music signs on Jin Akanishi, US debut confirmed

I’ll have more details coming soon, but in the mean time, here is a statement from Warner Music Asia Pacific president Lachie Rutherford:

“I am happy to be here today to announce that Jin Akanishi one of the great stars and talents in the Japanese entertainment industry will be joining the Warner Music family as of today. Warner Music Group and Warner Music Japan will sign Jin on a global basis and we will become responsible for his recording career in both English and Japanese language.

We first met Jin in early summer this year and I was impressed with his vision and the high aspirations he has for his career. He is a first class entertainer, he writes, arranges and produces most of his songs and he is now eager to team up with first class creators and producers in the US.
I am very confident our relationship with Jin will be a productive and successful one for both Warner Music and the artist and I am looking forward indeed to working with him in the future.”

Dec.9th 2010
Lachie Rutherford
President, Warner Music Asia Pacific
Chairman & CEO, Warner Music Japan

Source: www.wmg.jp/20101209/