CHAI to perform in Laos and Cambodia commemorating 50 Years of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation

Photo of CHAI's four members

Logo for the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan friendship and cooperationThe Japan Foundation (JF) will proudly commemorate the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan friendship and cooperation by putting on concerts of the all-female band CHAI in Laos and Cambodia.

Asserting that everyone has their own version of “cute,” CHAI introduced a new concept of kawaii (cute) called “NEO Kawaii” and attract a worldwide audience. CHAI, who have performed energetic live shows in the U.S., Mexico, France, China, and various other countries, will be performing in Laos and Cambodia for the first time. The concert, titled “CHAI NEO KAWAII NIGHT in Laos and Cambodia,” is sure to get the audience charged up through CHAI’s NEO Kawaii performance style.

In addition to the performances, the band will participate in a number of events and visits in each country. In Laos, they will be participating in the Japan-ASEAN Festival organized by the Embassy of Japan in the Lao PDR to give a talk on the meaning behind their music, and they will also visit a studio where women are engaged in producing textiles that feature traditional Laotian designs. In Cambodia, the four band members will visit CCMHA Orphanage, operated by the accredited non-profit organization Globe Jungle, which focuses on education through art, and hold a workshop on Japanese songs and how to play musical instruments. Through this endeavor, we aim to bring CHAI’s unique power to Laos and Cambodia and support future interactions between the two countries and Japan.

CHAI NEO KAWAII NIGHT in Laos and Cambodia

Organizer:
The Japan Foundation (JF)
Cooperation:
Embassy of Japan in the Lao PDR (Concert in Laos) , Embassy of Japan in Cambodia, Cambodia-Japan Cooperation Center (Concerts in Cambodia)
Laos Concert
Schedule 7:00 p.m. on Friday, December 8, 2023 (Laos time)
Venue Lao National Cultural Hall (Vientiane)
Tickets FREE admission
For further details, please refer to The Japan Foundation Vientiane Liaison Office’s website.
https://jfacvt.la/
Cambodia Concerts
Schedule 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 10, 2023 (Cambodia time)
Venue Factory Phnom Penh Flex Space (Phnom Penh)
Tickets Logo for the 70th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and Cambodia

FREE admission
For further details, please refer to The Japan Foundation Phnom Penh Liaison Office’s Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/JFphn

Artist Profile

Photo of CHAI's four members

Formed by the “miracle twins” Mana and Kana, along with the incredibly powerful rhythm section composed of Yuuki and Yuna, this band is known as the “NEO - New Exciting Onna (Woman) Band.”

Asserting that everyone has their own version of “cute,” CHAI introduced a new concept of kawaii (cute) called “NEO Kawaii.”

CHAI embodies this message in their music in a pop fashion, and has garnered sympathy and support from a wide range of generations, transcending gender, age, and nationality.

Their 2017 debut album PINK swept various music charts and was also praised by many celebrities beyond the music industry. In 2018, they made their debut in both the U.S. and the U.K., embarked on four U.S. tours, two U.K. tours, and an Asia tour. In 2019, they released their second album PUNK and successfully concluded their first world tour, spanning the U.S., Europe, and Japan. In 2020, they signed with the popular U.S. indie label Sub Pop Records. By 2022, they had completed their fifth North American tour and performed at major festivals in Australia and Central and South America, establishing themselves as a highly regarded artist internationally in recent years. They plan to release their fourth full album CHAI in September 2023.

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The Japan Foundation
Persons in Charge: Shin (Ms.), Kondo (Ms.),
Tel: +81-(0)3-5369-6063
E-mail: pa＠jpf.go.jp
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