Japanese pop stars present Taiwan with quake aid

Asian Economic News, Dec 27, 1999

TAIPEI, Dec. 20 Kyodo Three of Japan's leading pop music acts met with Taiwan's Vice President Lien Chan on Monday to present him with 10 million New Taiwan dollars (33 million yen) that was raised at a Tokyo charity concert for the victims of Taiwan's massive September earthquake.

Taiwan-born star Judy Ongg along with Shazna lead singer Izam and Shinji Tanimura met with Lien at the Presidential Office to hand over the money that was raised at a Nov. 16 concert that drew big-name performers, including Chage and Aska and Jackie Chan.

Ongg said after the meeting Lien was very grateful for the donation and indeed for all of the money and aid that had been received from Japan since Taiwan was shaken violently by the Sept. 21 earthquake that killed more than 2,400 and toppled thousands of buildings.

The perennially multicolored Izam admitted after arriving on Sunday that he was planning to wear formal male attire and return his hair color to its natural hue for his meeting with Lien.

But, while he did dress in a formal black suit -- with some observers commenting it may have been the first time for him -- Izam could not muster the heart, or perhaps the black hair dye, and left his locks as they were.

Izam expressed his appreciation for his Taiwan fans, saying the warmth with which he has been received during past visits had helped him to find himself.

"If this piece of land needs my help, then no matter what, I will find time to come and show my affection," Izam said.

The singer, who sometimes dresses in female attire on stage, took time off from promoting his new album to travel to Taiwan.

Ongg and Izam met Sunday and made tentative plans to cooperate on an album, despite their sharply divergent styles. Ongg is known for her soft pop melodies while Izam and his band Shazna prefer hard rock.