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Southern All Stars Singer Apologizes for Emperor-Linked Jokes
3:15 pm JST
Jan 16, 2015
By JUN HONGO
http://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/2015/01/16/japanese-singer-apologizes-for-emperor-linked-jokes/

Keisuke Kuwata, one of Japan’s most famous singers, has apologized for jokes he made during a concert in December in which he impersonated Emperor Akihito.

The frontman of long-running pop rock band the Southern All Stars said in a statement that he was merely trying to entertain the crowd at Yokohama Arena.

During the performance Mr. Kuwata used a high-pitched voice to imitate the emperor and showed off an honorary medal he received last year that he said he might auction.

“My inappropriate handling of the Medal with Purple Ribbon made some people feel uncomfortable,” Mr. Kuwata said in a joint statement issued with his management company, Amuse Inc.

He said the stunt was intended as a joke and said he was deeply sorry for his actions.

Right-wing groups rallied in front of Amuse Inc.’s office in Tokyo and demanded an apology this month after footage from the show made the rounds on the Web.

A spokesman at the company told Japan Real Time that the apology was unrelated to the demonstrations.

The Medal with Purple Ribbon is one of the highest honors awarded by the government to those who contribute to the advancement of the arts or the academic world. The emperor presented Mr. Kuwata with the medal in November. The singer released a statement thanking his fans and other musicians at the time.

The Southern All Stars, one of Japan’s most successful musical acts, debuted in 1978 and is known for dozens of hit songs including “Itoshi no Ellie,” a tune later covered by Ray Charles.

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[jamawns' comment]
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Does he still like to hold the award? To whom did he apologized?
Actually, Japanese has no intention to accept his apology.
He should not have accepted the award. Of course he could return the award rather than making such a lip-service apology, and he is able to do so at very this moment if he hope.
Nobody stop him to return the award.
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@9:31 am January 19, 2015
What are you, real person or pretender? He never said such in Japan. Your way of cheating is the very same as communist/socialist way in Japan, and as JPN pretenders in overseas.
His apology is lie and listing excuses. Each sentence is humiliation. Kuwata must be shame on him.
Why does he pretend as victim? The result was from his belief, wasn't it?