Arashi Exhibition Journey - more like a journey into racism and exclusion.

[kerrol]

Okay, I was staying in Japan,planning to return to Australia in late August. I really, really wanted to go to the Arashi exhibition because... der... I've been an Arashi fan for over 12 years

Comments

[wjktl]

Thanks for your Info. So sad to read this.

[kerrol]

Thanks.

[nyonyo]

re: the concerts, no, it's not true. It is technically the rule (the same rules apply to both 5x20 and the exhibition in writing in banning of international passports), but as far as I've heard, nobody's blinked at the international passports yet at concert security check. I just flew over in August to 5x20, and I didn't have a problem. Sho said a few months ago during a concert that they knew there were lots of international fans flying over, and that they were happy about it, so it seems like they're aware of the situation and wanted to make it clear how they feel about it.

I saw someone on twitter said that they brought their newsletter envelope to the exhibition with their name on it, and that got them through. The strictness and enforcement may shift once it moves on to different locations, though. I'm sorry this happened to you, but I'm glad you got in.

[kerrol]

Thanks. Yeah we got in okay to the concert with just a passport.

I sometimes wonder if the Arashi members know what their office is doing with international fans and how hard it is for us.

[nyonyo]

Sho made a pretty deliberate point of talking about it (and he often comments on other similar issues that have caused twitter kerfluffles in roundabout ways like that during concerts lately; he clearly reads all the Drama online), so yes, I think they're definitely aware of the controversy and not thrilled about how it's been handled

[kerrol]

Yeah I've been planning to write a letter and my Japanese friend has offered to translate it for me so that the Japanese is all correct. I am also wondering if it's worth writing to somewhere like the Japanese Tourism people because the government is really pushing for overseas tourists atm.

I think with Arashi, the Japanese fan base is so big that they (the agency not the members) feel like they don't need international fans but there seems to be a big push with junior groups. Even though you still need a Japanese address for the juniors fc, everything is online and you can even enter your details in English.

[anonymous]

I m sorry you must through this :( I wonder if something happened on the exhibition since the ID check on July to August wasn't this strict :/

[simopimo]

hello I'mvery sad about it. Ysah, in august we didn'thave a problem with our passport wich let you enter in other countries easily but maybe for the jimusho it'snot enough. I can understandtey to avoid reselling etc but... if I'mpaying my FC fee, I ballot and won, spent money to fly to Japan (or stay longer there spending money to delay my flight , i really can'tunderstand whers is the problem. As someone said above Sho stated that they know a lot of people come to see them from.outside Japan I fled from Italy just to attend their5x20 in Osaka 2 weeks ago. I'mquite sure they're unaware of our struggle and fears. I was scared until they let us in, which was really easy .
I'msorry you couldn't enjoy such a beautifulexperience for some jerks.

[simopimo]

I'm sorry. I'm writing while on a train and... my comment has underlines? Sorry!!!

[kerrol]

It's such a worry. Sometimes I envy Japanese fans who can go to concerts with no stress.

[nadzsanz]

Hello 🙋 #Hug. I'm sorry for what you've been through. The feeling won't be same isn't it. Even they let you in. You've been through a lot but it feel they didn't approved what you did. And you also paid for your fc! Johnny or whoever should do something about it. Honestly.
When I read your story, I guess it the staff that make fuse of it. A girl right? I hope she been fired hahaha 👿 .
I don't care about sho or other member acknowledge international fan. We supporting them and it not easy, but when we denied. It not good for our heart.
This make me feel I need lucky for everything. Balloting and going and pass or not in front of the entrance. I read fan didn't have problem like you did, but still. I'm very thankful and need to be still aware if I'm going to let go other things just to attend this kind of fc event. Thank you for sharing.

[kerrol]

Yeah. TBH, I ended up buying a lot less goods than I intended because I didn't want to give them too much of my money after that.