SHANGHAI - Local authorities in Shanghai have urged some Chinese amateur underground idol groups not to sing Japanese songs amid tensions between the two Asian neighbors over Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan, according to entertainment industry sources.
Since July, officials in several Shanghai districts have verbally warned music venues that songs with Japanese lyrics should not be performed onstage, the sources said.
In China, artists need to submit song titles and lyrics to authorities for review ahead of planned performances. In July, some concerts featuring Japanese idol music as well as anime theme songs were canceled after organizers failed to obtain permission.
As of last year, there were more than 250 underground idol groups in China, according to Chinese media. Many amateur idols wearing Lolita-style outfits sing Japanese songs and address audiences in Japanese during performances at small concert venues.
A member of a Shanghai idol group said the authorities' instructions have forced changes to their gigs, with performers replacing planned Japanese songs with Chinese ones.
An entertainment industry source said the local authorities were believed to be acting in line with the central government's stance toward Japan. Beijing has ramped up pressure on Tokyo in various sectors, including tourism, trade, education and entertainment, since Takaichi made the parliamentary comments last November.
The bilateral dispute stems from her suggestion that Japan could use its defense forces in the event of a conflict over Taiwan, a self-ruled island claimed by Beijing.
The diplomatic feud has led to the postponement or cancellation in China of movie screenings, concerts, performances by artists and animation events.
"Chinese artists who sing in Japanese have substituted for Japanese singers whose concerts were canceled, but they can no longer do so," another industry source said.
