J-pop group SMAP's concerts in Shanghai postponed over safety concerns+

TOKYO, Sept. 21 Kyodo -
Concerts scheduled next month in Shanghai by the Japanese pop group SMAP will
be postponed until yet-to-be decided dates, the group's agent, Johnny &
Associates, said Tuesday, citing the necessity to ensure the safety of the
audiences.
The agent made the decision after considering ''the recent situation,'' it said
in a statement.
The announcement follows reports that ticket sales in China for the concerts
scheduled for Oct. 9 and 10 have been suspended, possibly due to an ongoing row
between the two countries over Tokyo's arrest earlier this month of a Chinese
boat skipper involved in collisions at sea off the disputed Senkaku Islands.
Johnny & Associates said it will make an announcement as soon as it reschedules
the concerts and will refund those who have already bought tickets between
Saturday and Oct. 31.
The planned concerts in a major stadium in Shanghai would be the first-ever
overseas performance by the five-member all-male group since its establishment
in 1988.
SMAP was initially scheduled to take part in an event at the Shanghai World
Expo in June, but the Chinese authorities canceled it citing security
considerations, given the large number of fans expected.
The Chinese side and the SMAP agent then agreed to hold the concerts in October
at the Shanghai Stadium.
The Japan Coast Guard arrested the captain of a Chinese fishing boat Sept. 8
for allegedly causing his vessel to collide a day earlier with Coast Guard
vessels near the disputed Senkaku Islands. The arrest sparked protests from
China, which has repeatedly called for the captain's immediate release.
==Kyodo
2010-09-22 00:06:37