On August 5th, the details on SMAP�s first overseas performance were revealed!

The group will be performing at the Workers� Stadium in Beijing, one of the largest venues in the nation. The theme of this concert will be, �Ganbare Nippon, Arigatou Chuugoku, Asia wa Hitotsu" ("Do Your Best Japan, Thank You China, Asia is One�).

Although SMAP were supposed to perform their first overseas concert in Shanghai back in June 2010, the performance was cancelled due to the fact that it had more influence than expected, and organizers were worried about the chaos that could occur during their live.

In addition, their October concert was postponed due to the tense relationship between Japan and China after a Chinese fishing boat collided with boats from the Japanese Coast Guard. That tension alleviated on March 11th, after the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami struck Eastern Japan. The Chinese gave a lot of support through donating charity proceeds and other goods to Japan, so SMAP's live concert aims to showcase their gratitude to China for their support.

In addition, SMAP met with China�s Wen Jiabao back in May, and Wen Jiabao referred to their upcoming performance and said, �I wholeheartedly welcome your performance in China.� On this day, SMAP even performed the Chinese version of �Sekai ni Hitotsu Dake no Hana�.

For this upcoming overseas performance, SMAP announced that they will perform their songs in Chinese. Member Katori Shingo stated, �There will be a lot of songs we will perform in Chinese. Although it is very difficult, I feel like it�s a good challenge. I will sing wholeheartedly while infusing my feelings of gratitude at the same time.�

Other Japanese artists who have performed at Workers� Stadium in Beijing includes GLAY, Hamasaki Ayumi, and Tanimura Shinji.

Source: Nikkan Sports