Society

Japanese folk singer Chiharu Matsuyama serenades irritated passengers on delayed flight with hit son

Aug 22 (Japan Times) - Japanese folk singer Chiharu Matsuyama sang his hit song on a plane that remained grounded over an hour past its departure time at a Hokkaido airport Sunday, in a bid to ease passengers' irritation, according to All Nippon Airways Co.

Matsuyama, a Hokkaido native, came forward and sang the popular opening line of "Ozora to Daichi no Naka de" (In-between a giant sky and the earth) using the microphone for in-flight announcements. The episode drew applause on social media, with some posts apparently from passengers saying it was a happy surprise.

The 61-year-old singer-songwriter was aboard ANA flight 1142 which was scheduled to depart New Chitose Airport, near Sapporo, for Osaka at 11:55 a.m. Sunday. The plane's departure was delayed until 1:03 p.m. due to security checks.

"Everyone seems to be frustrated," Matsuyama told a flight attendant at around 12:50 p.m. With approval from the plane's captain, he sang some phrases of the song and said, "Please wait for a while."

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