Fukuyama Pitches Taiwan

During a recent tour of the island, the singer – also a successful actor – was approached by the bureau to be its goodwill ambassador so as to attract more Japanese visitors to Taiwan.

Fukuyama apparently accepted the job, saying he had been greatly impressed with how much aid Taiwan extended to Japan after the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

He also broadcast his regular FM radio show from Taiwan and started right in promoting the region’s food and culture. He also announced he would be appearing in a local TV drama called “You Light Up My Star,” though he didn’t go into detail.

Fukuyama has become one of the biggest rock stars in Japan in recent years based mainly on his acting gigs. Those include a year-long stint in public broadcaster NHK’s big budget Sunday night historical drama.

He will follow up his Taiwan dates with concerts in Hong Kong and Japan. The latter will include 10 consecutive shows at the Pacifico Convention Center in Yokohama, setting a new record for a Japanese male singer of 180,000 tickets sold in one fell swoop.

Fukuyama also holds the record for highest number of EPs ever sold by a Japanese male singer.