ASKA’s Kouhaku Appearance Rumor Fuels CHAGE and ASKA Reunion Speculation

First NHK appearance since arrest

NHK’s music program “tiny desk concerts JAPAN” Season 2 started late at night on April 27, and in the first episode, ASKA (67), a former member of the legendary Japanese male duo “CHAGE and ASKA”, performed.

ASKA led a total of nine musicians and passionately sang classic songs, including Chage and Aska’s signature hit “SAY YES” and his solo representative song “Hajimari wa Itsumo Ame” (“The Beginning Is Always Rain”), delivering his timeless vocal performance.

“Speaking of ASKA, he was arrested and indicted in May 2014 for violating the Stimulants Control Act, and in September of the same year, he was sentenced to three years in prison with a four-year suspended sentence. Furthermore, he was re-arrested on the same charges in November 2016 but was released without prosecution the following month.

Although the suspended sentence period has long since expired, there were voices within NHK opposing his casting, partly due to his repeated conspiracy theory-like statements on social media. Nevertheless, the production team decided, ‘It’s okay if it’s a one-time appearance,’ and he was allowed to perform,” said a record company official.

His NHK appearance—the first since his arrest—has sparked speculation about the possibility of him performing at the 76th NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen (Red and White Song Battle) broadcast on New Year’s Eve. If it happens, it will be his first time on the Kouhaku stage, including during his Chage and Aska days. Last year, the popular male duo “B’z” made their Kouhaku debut in a special segment. Initially, it was expected that they would only perform the theme song “Illumination” for the morning drama “Omusubi” in a pre-recorded segment, but they surprised everyone by appearing live at the venue. They also performed hit songs “LOVE PHANTOM” and ultra soul, bringing the audience to their feet and creating a historic level of excitement.

The possibility of a reunion is increasing

“In 1991, when CHAGE and ASKA’s ‘SAY YES’ became a big hit as the theme song for a Fuji TV Monday 9pm drama, NHK offered them a spot on the Kouhaku Uta Gassen. However, they declined with the reason ‘We don’t appear on TV on New Year’s Eve,’ so there have been no offers since then.

This year’s Kouhaku is expected to surely offer a spot to Akina Nakamori, who has been actively performing, for the first time since 2014. In addition, if ASKA can also be booked, it could boost viewership. But compared to ASKA’s solo act, a revival of CHAGE and ASKA, which is currently disbanded, would have a much bigger impact,” (same source)

CHAGE and ASKA declared an indefinite hiatus as a unit in 2009. Although they announced a restart in 2013, it was cancelled due to ASKA’s suspected transient cerebral ischemia and drug allegations, and ASKA announced his withdrawal on August 25, 2019, marking the 40th anniversary of their debut.

“When ASKA appeared on a YouTube video hosted by Ichiro Furutachi, he confessed he didn’t know how to contact CHAGE. However, when they lifted restrictions on CHAGE and ASKA songs for streaming in August last year, he revealed he talked with CHAGE over the phone.

It doesn’t seem they keep in close contact, and it is said that CHAGE is reluctant about reuniting CHAGE and ASKA. However, compared to before, it can definitely be said that the possibility of a reunion has increased. CHAGE is also active solo, but what fans really want to see is ASKA standing on stage with him,” said a veteran music journalist.

Is there really a chance for CHAGE and ASKA to reunite? This magazine send inquiries to CHAGE’s agency but did not receive a response by the deadline.

If the legendary duo revives for their first Kouhaku performance, it’s certain to create even more excitement than last year’s B’z.

 

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