CHINESE OFFICIALS BAN GIG TICKET SALES FOR JAPANESE POP BAND=20
Pop group SMAP have found themselves at the centre of a diplomatic disput e between their native Japan and China after officials in Beijing halted ticket sales of their upcoming concerts in the country.
The boy band is due to perform two shows at the Shanghai World Expo nex t month (Oct10) but fans have been told they won’t be able to purchase ti ckets to the gigs without an explanation.
It is believed authorities in China acted in response to the escalating feud brewing with Japanese officials over the arrest of a Chinese fishin g captain, who was taken into custody earlier this month (Sep10) when his boat collided with two Japanese coastguard vessels in disputed waters.
A Japanese judge extended his detention by another 10 days last week (e nds17Sep10) and the Chinese have vowed to impose "strong counter-measures " as a result - with SMAP’s tour of China appearing to fall victim to the protests.
The band’s Tokyo-based management is currently trying to work around th e issue by engaging in talks with concert organisers in Shanghai, accordi ng to local news sources.
Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)
