Zubair Qureshi
The young Japanese singer, Kenta Shoji, sang popular Japanese, English and Pakistani songs at the Residence of the Ambassador of Japan, Mr Wada Mitsuhiro and the guests enjoyed for almost an hour his powerful performance.
The singer from Kyoto, Japan, started the evening with the Japanese songs but soon turned to English numbers and, lo and behold, he went one step forward by singing two Vital Signs’ hits ‘Dil Dil Pakistan’ and ‘Aitebaar.’
The audience broke into loud applause showering praises on him for singing the songs that were close to their hearts.
The listeners included students of the Department of Japanese Language & Literature, National University of Modern Languages (NUML), members of the Pakistan Japan Cultural Association (PJCA), music lovers and the Japan nationals.
Former Federal Minister for Culture & National Heritage and President of the PJCA Syed Jamal Shah was the Chief Guest on the occasion.
As the event started, Kenta first mesmerized the audience with a display of his mastery over playing at piano which was followed by captivating songs that he sang in Japanese, English and Urdu languages.
During the short breaks between the songs, he kept introducing himself to the audience and told how he chose to perform in Pakistan. It was during one of my shows in London when I was spotted by the Pakistani comedian Junaid Akram who appreciated my performance and urged his fans on the social media to listen to my songs, he said, adding, “Soon my Instagram showed I had over 10,000 Pakistani followers, thus said the Japanese singer who earlier knew little about Pakistan.”
This is his second visit to Pakistan and he likes the country, though not its weather during the summer season. About his selection of the Urdu songs, he said the songs received tremendous reception during his last performance in Karachi and those present in the audience started dancing at Dil Dil Pakistan.
Kenta started playing the piano at the age of 20 and produced a wide range of vocal/piano songs covering his favourite genres of music such as Soul, R&B, Rock, Pop and Jazz.
In 2022, he launched his album “Skip”. The following year he started travelling around the world performing his music on the streets and at various live music events.
An artist and travelogue writer Sameeha Khaliq on the occasion presented her book “Mai Tum aur Nanga Parbat” and paintings to Kenta, Ambassador and Madam Mitsuhiro. Political writer, analyst and member of the PJCA Malaika Afridi termed the event quite refreshing and a reflection of deep, cultural ties between Japan and Pakistan.
