Her agency Avex Management confirmed the news on March 30, saying that both mother and baby are in good health. To prioritize safety, Koda Kumi has decided to postpone its national tour scheduled for June 2026 and cancel upcoming appearances.
Following the announcement, fans flooded social media with messages of support such as wishes for a healthy birth and promises to await her return. However, the news also reignited controversy over remarks Koda Kumi made in 2008 during a radio appearance on All Night Nippon. At the time, he claimed that women over 35 experience a decline in reproductive health, using a phrase that sparked widespread backlash. He later issued a public apology.
Now, with her pregnant at 43, some online users have revisited those comments, criticizing her past words with reactions like, “Your words come back to you.” Others, however, defended her, arguing that the incident occurred many years ago and that continuing to criticize is excessive.
Koda Kumi, who debuted in 2000 with the single Take Back, remains one of Japan’s most recognizable solo artists. Despite the renewed debate, the announcement of her pregnancy once again put her in the spotlight, this time balancing celebration with reflection on past controversies.
Sources: Nate News
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