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Maki Otsuki, famed for her contributions to the popular anime series One Piece, recently experienced an unexpected interruption during her live performance in Shanghai. This incident is one of the latest setbacks involving Japanese artists in China, occurring amidst rising diplomatic and political tensions between the two nations.
Otsuki, who gained acclaim through her renditions of One Piece‘s memorable theme songs “Memories” and “RUN! RUN! RUN!”, was performing at the Bandai Namco Festival 2025. This festival, which began on Friday, November 28, spanned three days and celebrated iconic Japanese anime series like One Piece and Mobile Suit Gundam. The event was well-attended, with fans eagerly engaging in various interactive experiences related to their favorite anime.
However, as Otsuki took the stage on Friday evening, her performance was abruptly cut short. Halfway through her set, the venue’s lights and sound systems were unexpectedly shut down, bringing the event to a halt. This sudden disruption left attendees in shock and highlighted the ongoing challenges Japanese artists face in China amid strained diplomatic relations.
Before embarking on her solo career, Maki Otsuki was known as the lead vocalist for bands like CASSIS and Extal. Her contributions to the One Piece soundtrack have left a lasting impression on fans worldwide, further amplifying the disappointment felt by those who attended the Shanghai event.
On Friday evening, Maki Otsuki’s scheduled performance began. However, midway through her performance during the event, the atmosphere shifted abruptly. The lights and sound were suddenly cut off, forcing the show to stop without warning.
Officials walked onto the stage, instructed Otsuki to exit, and the singer left the stage with a visibly confused expression.
On Saturday, November 29, The Star reported that, according to Japanese entertainment firm Bandai Namco Holdings, the event’s organizer, the entire anime festival was canceled in the aftermath of the incident.
Maki Otsuki and other Japanese artists’ performances get halted in China amidst the country’s rising tension with Japan
Japanese singer Maki Otsuki and many other Japanese artists’ performances were disrupted over the weekend in China, amidst escalating political tensions between the country and Japan.
Maki Otsuki had been scheduled to perform across two days, November 28 and 29, at the Shanghai West Bank Dome Art Center for Bandai Namco Festival. However, after her performance was suddenly stopped midway, on the first day, her official website issued a statement from her agency and staff explaining the situation.
The agency, in their statement, first thanked fans for their ongoing support and then explained that the November 28 show had to be halted “at short notice” due to unavoidable circumstances.
“Thank you for your continued support of Otsuki Maki. Regarding the Bandai Namco Festival 2025, which is being held at the Shanghai West Bank Dome Art Center on November 28th and 29th, the performance on the 28th was in progress, but due to unavoidable circumstances, it has been forced to be suspended at short notice,” the statement read.
The agency also announced that the next day’s performance would also be canceled “due to similar circumstances.”
Maki Otsuki’s agency then apologized to fans, stressing the suddenness of the situation, and wrote:
“We sincerely apologize to all the fans who were looking forward to her performance for this sudden notice. We thank you for your understanding.”
Additionally, Maki Otsuki’s halted show was just one example in a wide string of Japanese cultural cancellations across China in the past 48 hours. The timing coincided with a sharp deterioration in diplomatic relations between Beijing and Tokyo.
Tensions escalated after Japan’s prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, suggested Japan could intervene militarily if China launched an attack on Taiwan. Beijing condemned the remarks, summoned Japan’s ambassador, and issued a travel advisory warning Chinese citizens against visiting Japan.
The Bandai Namco Festival, initially scheduled to run through Sunday, was later fully canceled. Japanese acts scheduled for the festival, including popular idol group Momoiro Clover Z, also pulled out as complications mounted.
Other artists were similarly affected. Pop icon Ayumi Hamasaki had her Shanghai tour canceled the day before she was due to perform.
Hamasaki took to Instagram after the cancellation of her Shanghai tour, announced on Friday, November 28, and wrote (in Japanese):
“I am moving forward with the people in the company, the Chinese staff, and the large Japanese family that fought through this tour. Please don’t worry about me… I still strongly believe that entertainment should be a bridge that connects people, and I want to be on the side of creating that bridge.”
Jazz pianist Hiromi Uehara also canceled scheduled events in China. Meanwhile, anime-music publication LisAni! called off its “LisAni! LIVE Shanghai 2025” lineup. In its notice, the company cited “force majeure,” indicating uncontrollable external circumstances, and assured fans that ticket refunds would be processed within 30 days.
With escalating tensions between Japan and China, neither Maki Otsuki nor her agency has released an official statement regarding the artist’s next performance in China.
Edited by Shayari Roy
