THE ASAHI SHIMBUN
February 9, 2020 at 18:01 JST
High fives and handshakes with fans are taboo amid the spread of the new coronovirus, as entertainers are being forced to take precautions against infection.
The all-female Takarazuka Revue Co. theater troupe announced on Feb. 7 that its performers will refrain from high fives and handshakes with fans when they descend from the stage and walk along a passage through the audience during shows, regardless of the venue.
On Feb. 1, two male groups from Johnny & Associates--the SixTONES, which released its first CD in January, and the Snow Man--announced the postponement of events featuring high fives with fans that were initially planned for February and March.
The popular AKB48 all-girl idol group has also postponed events to shake hands with fans.
Stories about memories of cherry blossoms solicited from readers
Cooking experts, chefs and others involved in the field of food introduce their special recipes intertwined with their paths in life.
A series based on diplomatic documents declassified by Japan’s Foreign Ministry
A series on the death of a Japanese woman that sparked a debate about criminal justice policy in the United States
A series about Japanese-Americans and their memories of World War II
Here is a collection of first-hand accounts by “hibakusha” atomic bomb survivors.
Children give high fives with heroes of the Ultraman TV series at Marumori, Miyagi Prefecture, on Jan. 26. (Eiji Shimura)
