Singer/songwriter�Oda Kazumasa (63) has just started his nationwide tour, "'Do-mo Do-mo' Sono Hi ga Kuru Made" at Nagano BIGHAT on May 7th.

This is his first nationwide tour in 2 years and 5 months, and Oda performed 35 songs, mainly from his latest album, "Do-mo" (released on April 20th), and he performed the sprint which is customary at his concerts.



During the concert, Oda started talking about the Great East Japan Earthquake. �"That day, I was at the rehearsal for the tour. �The earthquake was the biggest one I have ever experienced, even in Tokyo, and it shook for a very long time."

When he started talking, all 6,000 people in audience were all listening intently. �"I thought that it was impossible to hold a tour in this situation, both mentally and physically, and I also thought this concert in Nagano would not happen either. �However, my thoughts started changing in the sense that singing would be helpful to this situation someday."

Though Oda is from Yokohama city, he graduated from Tohoku University, therefore, he has a deep relationship with the devastated area.



This nationwide tour was�initially�planned to be started on March 26th, however, it was postponed due to the disaster, and 7 stages (in 4 locations) have been cancelled.

This tour is also the�beginning�of the biggest tour in his 41 year career as a singer, as he will make the rounds in 25 locations (48 stages total), and he will also make a stop at the 5 big domes, which will renew his own record for "the oldest solo artist to hold concerts at the domes".

Before the encore, Oda said to the audience with teary eyes, "I definitely would like to see the recovery of Japan. Let's do our best!"

Source & Photo: Sanspo