Southern All Stars vocalist Keisuke Kuwata, leader of the legendary pop rock band, offered an apology Thursday for performances at the end of last year that were widely taken as a swipe at Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
In a joint statement, Kuwata and his talent agency Amuse Inc. said his four shows at Yokohama Arena on Dec. 27, 28, 30 and 31 were intended to send out messages of peace and never meant to convey his political opinions.
"Given the various worries here and there, Kuwata expressed his pure desire for peace," the statement said.