The Authenticity of Ayumi Hamasaki's Empty Concert Can Be Clarified With a Bit of Thought

On November 29, Ayumi Hamasaki and her team held a performance with no audience in attendance and shared footage from this 'no-audience concert'. (Composite image)

[People News] Following the publication of my article yesterday, some internet users, including members of the so-called 'fifty-cent army' and others who are unaware of the facts, have questioned me, asserting that it is fake news. They claim that a photographer captured images of a rehearsal and then falsely attributed them to Ayumi Hamasaki performing in an empty venue to discredit the Chinese Communist Party, and it is reported that the photographer has since issued a public apology.

While I have not viewed the live footage of Ayumi Hamasaki's empty concert, several self-media outlets that I trust have reported on it. Some reports even indicate that Ayumi Hamasaki shared the video on her social media account, where she changes outfits several times, and the backup dancers, stage lighting, and music are identical to those of a formal performance. Furthermore, Ayumi Hamasaki repeatedly expressed her gratitude to the staff from both China and Japan and continuously shouted 'Shanghai, Shanghai' on stage to convey her feelings.

I have also come across news regarding the photographer who allegedly fabricated rumours by misrepresenting rehearsal scenes, and the sources for this information are not limited to just one. Why do I choose to believe the former and not be misled by the latter?

In a context where true and false news are intertwined, and we cannot verify the information ourselves, it is essential to use our intellect wisely. Humans are endowed with brains, which are meant for thinking. It is important to develop a habit of questioning everything and to discern information based on fundamental logical reasoning.

If Ayumi Hamasaki's empty concert is indeed a rumour concocted by a photographer using rehearsal footage, then the first question is: what motive does this photographer have for creating such a rumour? Is he so bold as to exploit a foreign singer to fabricate a story that tarnishes his own country, thereby damaging its reputation? What does he aim to achieve?

Do people living in China really not understand the consequences of their actions? This individual is clearly spreading rumors and misleading the public, and he will soon be arrested on charges of 'provoking trouble.' He will face harsh punishment, be publicly interrogated on China Central Television, and ultimately receive a prison sentence of three to five years. Is he so idle that he is willing to pay such a heavy price for his life without reason?

Take a look at Hong Kong: a university student was simply asking for an independent investigation into the Hongfu Garden fire, and has already been detained by the government's stability maintenance department. Before this photographer spread rumours, did he not weigh the potential consequences of his actions?

Furthermore, Ayumi Hamasaki is directly involved in this matter. Regardless of the nature of the incident, she is always at the centre of this significant public discourse, and her actions could negatively impact the national dignity of the Chinese Communist Party. If she did not engage in this behaviour but it was wrongfully attributed to her, she should responsibly issue a statement to clear her name.

Even if this situation could potentially enhance her public image, a person with a conscience should not exploit it. She has not publicly clarified or provided evidence that this incident did indeed occur.

The occurrence of this incident has serious implications for the organising body in Shanghai. If it did not actually happen and was merely a rumour, it would create significant political pressure on the organising body. They must issue a formal statement to dispel any suspicions. The absence of action from the organising body suggests that the incident did indeed take place.

This incident is also a major concern for the Shanghai stability maintenance department. If the 'singing empty field' had not taken place, but rumours were still circulating in society, the Shanghai stability maintenance department should have made a formal clarification, as the incident touches on national dignity. Failing to clarify would place political responsibility on Shanghai, and when the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) holds them accountable, the local government in Shanghai would have to answer for it. The lack of any response from the Shanghai government afterwards indicates that the 'singing empty field' incident did indeed happen. The CPC has suffered a silent embarrassment and seems unsure how to address it, leading them to remain silent.

In terms of national image, after the incident, if it were merely one photographer causing the issue, the spokesperson for the CPC's Ministry of Foreign Affairs would likely need to step in, posing as a reporter to ask questions and publicly present evidence of the photographer's false claims to mitigate the CPC's embarrassment. Wouldn't that be the most logical response? If Ayumi Hamasaki did not actually sing in an empty field, and the CPC was manipulated by a mere photographer, could they really remain composed and not respond at all?

The reality is that the authorities have taken no action, and only a small number of photographers have suddenly appeared to take responsibility for the entire situation. After accepting this responsibility, the government did not respond, and he faced no legal repercussions. He acted recklessly and played innocent without any consequences. What accounts for his good fortune? Why have the CPC authorities suddenly adopted such a low profile?

Given these speculations and doubts, I conclude that the 'singing empty field' incident did indeed occur. That unknown photographer was likely brought in by the stability maintenance department to take the blame, to obscure the truth, divert public attention, and minimise the negative impact of Ayumi Hamasaki's 'singing empty field' incident as much as possible. This is a typical tactic employed by the stability maintenance department.

The points mentioned above are illogical and do not correspond with the unfolding of events. With a bit of critical thinking, one could easily reach their own conclusions, yet many people still struggle to understand. In addition to the 'fifty-cent army', there are numerous netizens who remain perplexed, merely echoing statements of dubious origin and being led astray.

Why is the Chinese Communist Party able to deceive people worldwide to sustain its authoritarian regime? The answer lies in the fact that a significant number of individuals willingly allow themselves to be misled by the CCP. They remain unaware of their deception and fail to reflect on why they are being fooled. Even after being deceived once, they do not awaken; a lifetime of deception still leaves them feeling content. This is one of the reasons our nation has struggled to make progress for so long.

Typically, when people are deceived, they feel ashamed for being foolish and lacking the ability to distinguish right from wrong. Yet, some individuals are repeatedly fooled and still consider themselves clever. Such people can never be roused from their ignorance; they will continue to drift through life, never truly understanding until the end.

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