On August 16th, SMAP�s Kimura Takuya (38) attended a press conference in Beijing, where SMAP will be performing their first overseas performance on September 16th. Dressed in a black suit with a crimson necktie, he expressed his gratitude to China for the aid received after the Tohoku earthquake.

He� commented, �Right now, Japan is still trying to recover [from the earthquake and tsunami]. We are taking steps to accomplish with all our power responsibilities of what we can do now.�

SMAP, who suspended their concerts and events that was supposed to held in Shanghai, expressed their goals through Kimura with, �The performance in China will finally take place. With all our power, we want to represent Japan�s strength.�

After all the serious discussions, Kimura brightened the atmosphere with, �I believe there will be a lot of beautiful people in the concert venue so I am looking forward to that during the performance,� laughing as the fans in the venue screamed from this comment.

Source: Asahi
Image: CRI