Japanese city pop legend Onuki Taeko makes Taiwan debut

日本City Pop傳奇歌手大貫妙子首度來台演出

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Japanese City Pop pioneer Onuki Taeko made her Taiwan debut Sunday, performing on the closing night of the Jam Jam Asia music festival at the Taipei Music Center.

Onuki, who has been active in music for more than five decades, reflected on her career during the performance and became emotional as she thanked fans for their continued support. She said she had considered whether to continue performing, but the unwavering support of her fans had allowed her to keep singing, according to MNews.

Onuki has expanded her overseas performances in recent years, including appearances in Los Angeles and South Korea. For her first JJA performance, she selected songs that had proved popular with audiences during her overseas performances.

“I’m really happy to meet everyone,” she told the audience before leaving the stage. She also reminded fans to “stay healthy” and thanked them again for their support.

Onuki's appearance was one of the highlights of JJA, which brought more than 80 Taiwanese and international acts to seven stages at the Taipei Music Center on Aug. 29-30. The lineup included Accusefive, Yang Nai-wen (楊乃文), LINION, Asian Dub Foundation, Le Petit Soldat, and DJ Krush, among others, per a press release.

Born in Tokyo in 1953, Onuki formed Sugar Babe with Tatsuro Yamashita and other musicians in 1973. The group released the album “SONGS” in 1975 before disbanding in 1976, when Onuki launched her solo career with “Grey Skies.” She has released 27 original albums.

Her music has incorporated pop, electronic, and Brazilian influences, as well as acoustic and orchestral arrangements. She also collaborated with Sakamoto Ryuichi on the album “UTAU.” Her music production for the 1997 film “Tokyo Biyori” won the Japan Academy Film Prize for Best Music.

Onuki's earlier recordings have gained a new international audience amid the global resurgence of City Pop. Her 1977 album “SUNSHOWER,” in particular, has been rediscovered by younger listeners and reissued on vinyl.

JJA was held as part of the Taipei Music Expo, which ran from Thursday to Sunday at the Taipei Music Center. TMEX focused this year on technology and sustainability and included exhibitions, international forums, industry matchmaking, and performances.

Organizers said TMEX brought together more than 60 international and domestic music brands and industry organizations, along with more than 100 international industry professionals and creators, to strengthen connections between Taiwan's music industry and overseas markets.