First important announcement in a while

I can't believe how quickly time goes - it's already been 12 years since my debut with "Automatic," which was called "that sensational video of dancing in a low ceiling room."(lol) I was 15 at that time.


Lately when I first meet someone they say, "Oh so you're still 27~! I thought you would be around 30, since I have this image that you have a very long career~. And you looked quite grown-up when you debuted."


27 years old, it's young in a sense . . . but not that young in another sense.


When I think back I find I've always worked on music ever since I was 15. Spent my life overprotected by people around, so that "Utada Hikaru" can stick to music. People say I have plenty of life experience for my age, but as a matter of fact what I've experienced is quite lopsided.


I have had chances to do something uncommon thanks to this job. I thank you all my fans, all my staff from the bottom of my heart.


That said, there is this part of me which has stunted since around 15, when I started living my life focused on artist activities. That is the part, important as a human being.


Over the past 12 years I've challenged various things as an artist, and I think I've grown up a bit through those experiences. And I need to grow up as a person, aside from music, to evolve further.


Based on those thoughts I have made a big decision!




I am going to stop flashy "artist activities" for a while and focus on "human activities, " starting from next year.




This is not a "retirement announcement"! Nor is this "rest" or "recreation."


This period is going to be the period form me to face the real me as a person, by studying something new eagerly and humbly, seeing and learning things in this while world I don't know yet. I think that's something that should be called "human activities," different from "artist activities."


And that should lead to my growth as an artist too, as a result.


Of course I may be making music or singing as I like, during that time.


When the time comes that I realize I have grown up a little as a person, and I feel the need to let you all hear my music, that is about time I should do so.




I didn't like it just to hide without showing up in front of my fans, and to jump into "human activities" with no regrets, I'm gonna go on full-throttle to do music activities till the end of this year!


First of all, I'm gonna release Single Collection vol 2 in upcoming autumn. I've made a lot of singles after the relase of vol 1.


This time I'll put some new songs in it!


Maybe 4 songs or so, 5 hopefully . . . ! I'm right in the middle of recording, trying to make them something that can tell you my recent feelings, change of my heart. Pleae wait for a while, I'll let you know as soon as the release date is fixed.


Other than that there are more things already fixed and I'll tell you about them soon! Like, a CM I appear in and such . . . expect a lot!




I thank all the staff of EMI being receptive to my offer to take off from artist activities from next year.


I've always made them nervous or worried, still they've always believed in me, supported me. Thank you very much.


I can focus on "human activities" with an easy mind thinking they will wait for my return, believing me.


I guess each one of you has a different impression on my decision, but please believe me and wait for my return. I have no idea how long it gonna be - 2 years or 5 years, but I shall return, more matured. Give me some time.


Well before that I'm gonna release new songs in autumn, then winter and there should be some opportunities to show you recent me, as well as interact each other. So that's all for today. (Also I'm thinking of starting twitter for a limited time! That way I can reply to you directly)


Last of all, thank you for reading this long message. I hope this can help to tell you my current feeling, as much as possible.


August 9th 2010


Utada Hikaru