Utada Hikaru Returns to TV with ‘Music Station’ Performance of ‘Sakura Nagashi’
With mere days (!) to go until the September 28 release of her long-awaited return to the Japanese music scene, Utada Hikaru is steadily ramping up the promotion for her sixth studio album, Fantôme. (There's even a Fantôme Café in Shibuya!)
And, after delivering her teardrops-at-the-disco club pop "Michi" ("Road") and her intergalactic escape with fellow J-legend Shiina Ringo, "Nijikan Dake no Vacance" ("2 Hour Vacation"), Hikki made her grand return to television today (Sept. 19) following her 5+ year hiatus with a performance on the long-running program Music Station, where she performed her Evangelion 3.0 soundtrack song co-written with Paul Carter, "Sakura Nagashi" ("Flowing Cherry Blossoms").
Yes, that song was first released in 2012 — but it's fine.
Standing stoic in a red dress (similar to the one in the Fantôme promotional artwork), the beloved First Love icon slowly, solemnly crooned the piano-led tune for the first time live on TV, ever. She sounded great, if not understandably slightly nervous to be back after so long.
It's a welcome return. Watch Utada perform "Sakura Nagashi" on Music Station in two parts below.
The Queens of J-Pop: