Namie Amuro is now officially retired following her final concert in her home prefecture of Okinawa. Thousands of fans actually flew to the city of Ginowan, Okinawa last Saturday just to watch that final concert. And yes, this includes a few international fans as well! Of course, just that one concert put the city in the spotlight, with hotels fully booked throughout Okinawa, and not just Ginowan. And because Namie Amuro is indeed one of the islands’ most beloved daughters, Ginowan is actually thinking of erecting a bronze statue of her. They plan to make this statue a pilgrimage site for the retired singer’s fans as this was also the site of her final concert.

Aside from the plans of erecting a bronze statue of her, several Okinawa establishments also playing her songs throughout the week. In her hometown of Naha, The Ryukyu Shimpo’s building is also displaying a huge poster of her. Of course, this is in tribute to her career and all she has done. The singer herself also helped boost tourism for her home prefecture, as she offered photos and music to their tourism site FOR FREE! As they say, there’s no place like home!

And it looks like they’re not just planning to erect a statue. The Ryugin Research Institute Ltd.’s head thinks that the singer’s retirement might boost tourism even further, resulting in a bigger financial impact for Okinawa as a whole. There are now plans to build a chapel on the grounds of her final concert, and it will have the chime of her “Can you celebrate?” song.

Well, it looks like saying that Okinawa loves Namie Amuro is a bit of an understatement. Favored Daughter indeed!

source: The Sankei Shimbun