Aspiring “idol” singing and dancing acts in Nagoya, said to be a hothouse for the emergence of new talent, are trying to revive the all-important close contact with fans after long struggling under coronavirus-related restrictions.
The proximity of audiences with idol-pop performers, both boy and girl groups, and solo acts, is a key part of the fan experience, but opportunities to perform live have decreased sharply due to restrictions on face-to-face activities introduced to combat the COVID-19 crisis.
Although performances have resumed in the central Japanese city, they come with a whole new set of rules, such as following strict social-distancing protocols and even registering names and contact information at events in some cases.