Chapter 6

That was the moment 陳美齢 woke up from a long dream called the "Agnes Chan."
　

 As for her, 陳美齢, the two months follow would have been just like a simple paperwork time for her retirement. However, the treatment of "dream" was not as easy as she thought. She thought the ripples she caused were small , but actually those were unexpectedly big.  In 1976, Tokyo had an unusual cool summer. But, the people around her
were hot as if they were on fire.
 
  On June 15th, 1976, Agnes returned to Hong Kong with an awaiting of her parents and sisters.  Her father, 陳燧棠 asked, "Isn't it about time for you should retire from  show business?".

  The family sat down and discussed.

  It was not an easy decision since her mother, 端淑 was so strongly against the idea of her retirement. "It will be such a waste to throw away the hard works she's been building up " As for her, 端淑, it was too reluctant to bring everything to nothing. She had gone through the difficult time to bring up six children in the past. Nevertheless, she agreed that the following decision:

  - Agnes retires from show business and concentrates only on her education.
  - For this purpose, she leaves Sophia University and enter to a University in Canada, to earn her bachelor degree   effective in Hong Kong.
  She would need only one year to graduate since she has already earned her two-year post secondary level credits from Sophia University. At the time, Canada had a three-year bachelor degree program.

  The reason why Canada's university was chosen was because her eldest brother was living in Canada at the time. The conclusions of the council were just about those.

  Her retirement had been set. the remaining problem is the time when she put it in action. I don't know whether it's intentional or coincidence, all of her contracts in Japan had been expired around that time (except the contract with Watanabe Music Publishing Company which was automatically renewed). Using this situation as a good opportunity, she quickly put in action. At the same time, as she kept her retirement secret, she accepted interviews and appeared on the film of Japan's new TV program "新・二人の事件簿 Shin-Futari no Jikembo"on from 18^th to 20^th.

  It was at 2:30 p.m. of June 25^th. There were about 50 local entertainment reporters presented in the press conference room of CTV, the Hong Kong's TV Station, but none of the Japanese reporters. They thought the topic of the press conference would be the introduction of contents of the new program called "The Best of Agnes" which was scheduled to air on July 4^th by CTV, or something like that. Agnes, her mother, 端淑 and her sisters, Irene and Helen appeared led by 朱奇才 Zhu Qicai, a program manager of CTV. And Irene deliberately announced the retirement of Agnes from the show business and leaving for Canada to study.

  The press conference room was thrown into a commotion. Agnes was asked questions one after another. When she was asked a question that "Why did you announce about your retirement here without telling your participants and friends in Japan?," she tearfully answered that "I know they would stop me if  I do this in Japan, and I wouldn't be able to do it because I feel so sorry for my fans. I've left my father and my sisters everything about the contracts, but for the retirement it was my family conclusion."

  This sudden announcement of her retirement made a headline as a Top news in Hong Kong newspapers on 26th. The reports were favorably disposed toward her in general, for example that "She has bravely returned from the life which inclines her to money to serious one." The initial report of her retirement arrived in Japan in the afternoon on that day.

  "That can't be true !" the Watanabe Agency turned pale. They were not ready for the surprising news about her  retirement. The news was thunderbolt from a clear sky for them. Some people involved in the agency denied the report itself. But, because the press conference was held in Hong Kong where was far from Japan, and none of Japanese reporters were presented, the local newspapers' articles which involved speculations, were only the source of information for the agency.

  According to the information, the reasons of her retirement were : she had turned 20 years old and wanted to continue her study in Psychology (from Sophia University) at a University in Canada which begin in September : the tax was too high in Japan; she had to pay 85 % of her income tax and so on.

The information also said that about the new TV program "新・二人の事件簿 Shin-Futari no Jiken-bo," on which she appeared and of which filming was just begun, she said that "I don't care if the story kill me by traffic accident." And it said that she said "Everyone will soon forget about me."

  It was easy to imagine that the information like those threw the participants into turmoil. It was because her schedules until November were already planned. In the original schedules, after she returned from Hong Kong on July 28^th, then performed "Agnes Chan Show" at Umeda Koma Theater in Osaka on August 4th to 6th, performed her show at the
Nagoya Civic Hall in Aichi on 8^th, appeared on TBS' TV program "歌のアルバム Uta no Album" on 12^th, appeared on TBS' TV program"８時だヨ！全員集合 Hachi-ji dayo Zen'in Shugo" on 14th, appeared on Fuji's TV program "君こそス
ターだ！Kimi koso Star da!" on 17^th, performed "Agnes Chan Show" at  Nichigeki Theater in Tokyo on 29^th to September 1^st, and so on. In addition to the schedule, her jobs were packed such as radio, TV, stage, campaign, fan club event and so on.

 All the Japanese newspapers reported her retirement on 27^th.
　

 At Watanabe Agency, 松下治夫 Haruo Matsushita, a head of the production department, phoned Agnes in Hong Kong to query her the true intention of her announcement., But she was absent from home because she went off on a
trip to Taiwan (some article says it's Philippine) with her mother and her sister Irene. He was told that they would return home on July 3^rd. Mr. Matsumura flied to Hong Kong from Haneda International Airport by 12:30 flight of the Swiss Air along with 青柳哲郎 Tetsuro Aoyagi, a head of the production department of Warner Pioneer, to have a discussion with 陳燧棠,  who was staying in her house.

 They two went to Agnes' home with a determination "to inquire about the truth of her declaration of retirement and to bring her back to Japan at any cost." They took a considerably hard line with 陳燧棠. In the midst of ongoing discussion, they offered him on 30^th as follows:

 "Once Agnes returns to Tokyo and to Sophia University, she would continue her show business. With this plan, we will give a maximum effort and consideration for her to go the university and studying there. She then would enroll at a university in Canada the following year. We hope that she doesn't completely retire from the show business and she would continue her activities of singing on stage and recording in Japan while she is on her vacation."

 陳燧棠 accepted this proposal. But he mentioned that "My wife and daughters are absent from home now, and I alone can't make a decision. I want to hold a family discussion, after my daughter return home from a trip in Taiwan."

 The topic of discussion was announced during a press conference at Hong Kong Hilton Hotel on the same day. At the conference, when 陳燧棠 said that  "...taking one year holiday..." about Agnes' going to Canada to study, Mr.
Matsushita interrupted him in a mad rush that "One year holiday is not going to be good for us" The announcement like this one, gave an impression to the reporters that 陳燧棠 and the agency did not reach a mutual  decision. There is also the question about how much 陳燧棠 succeeds to  convince her, he said that it was fifty-fifty chance. But both of two,
manager Matsushita and manager Aoyagi, took an aggressive attitude expecting the success of his persuasion to her. Consequently, they gave the go-ahead signal of the advance ticket on July 3rd, three days after the
announcement, for "Agnes Chan Show" at Umeda Koma Theater in August. The tickets were sold very well.

 On the same day July 3rd, Agnes, who returned to Hong Kong from Taiwan, said to the local reporters that "I won't change my mind about my retirement, because it's what I've once decided. My tear came down thinking of my enthusiastic fans and friends I've made in Japan. But this is different from my decision."

 After that, Agnes returned to her home, but soon after she stayed at Irene's second house in Xin-jie. Both Mr. Matsushita and Mr. Aoyagi were staying in Hong Kong at the time, but she would not see them. They returned to Japan in the afternoon of the 5^th.

 However, after Agnes returned to Hong Kong, 陳燧棠 did not have a discussion with her. This means that 陳燧棠 himself did not try to encourage her to withdraw from the retirement in spite of the agency's strong requirement. But it's not clear whether he wanted to make her retire completely, or temporarily one--let her concentrate on her study. The
confusion is seen in the descriptions about this in her works. I think he was going to make her retire completely from show business and to make her go enter solid business. But he would have changed his mind to that her return to the show business after graduate would be inevitable since he saw the unexpected hard attitude of the agency and knew her big popularity in Japan. However, Agnes' feeling at this time was nothing more than a completely retirement.

After the announcement of her retirement. In Hong Kong

Those conditions were:
 (1) to hold a farewell concert, and
 (2) to have a recording session in Los Angels twice a year.

 In retrospect, this was a big success for Japan side as they made her to accept the recording in Los Angeles. Because this condition would make her continue the contact with the staffs in Japan and made her fans in Japan believe that her retirement is a temporary one due to overseas studying. This would also be one of the motives for her to return after graduated.

 Agnes left the issue with father, and on the same evening she flew to London with Irene. At the airport, her fans in Hong Kong were flocking and were reluctant to part from her.

 In the meantime, Mr. Matsushita returned to Japan in the afternoon of 9^th and told reporters the result of the negotiations at the press conference. On his announcement, he strongly suggested that her retirement was temporary.
 Now then, the feature of this happening of her retirement for fans in Japan, was the absence of Agnes from beginning to end. And to convince mass media at the time in Japan, it was not enough that to concentrate on her study was only one reason of her retirement. Consequently, one speculation called another speculation and more rumors started to go around.

 In addition to the news reports from Hong Kong, there were rumors like:

 (1) The unsatisfactory endorsement       Agnes had dissatisfaction that her endorsement in Japan were too low.
 (2) Bad relation with Watanabe Agency   Agnes was dissatisfied with the attitude of Watanabe Agency.
 (3) Lover - marriage - retirement

   The young man was 26 or 27 years old and good looking and was from a good family background. He had visited her home in Hong Kong when she returned and stayed there.
　

   The schedule for her farewell concert was planned for the late July. Originally, "the Agnes Chan Show" was scheduled for three-day shows at Umeda Koma Theater on August 4^th, 5^th and 6^th, but it was changed to "Farewell Concert" and from three days to only two days. The show on the 4^th seems to have been covered by extending the holding periods of Candy's show from three days to four days. The show had been scheduled for three-day performance from 1st to 3rd. The following schedules were those. 7^th; she would return to Tokyo, and perform the concert at 郵便貯金ホール
Yubin Chokin Hall: 8^th; she would go to Nagoya and perform the concert at 名 古屋市民会館 Nagoya Civic Hall. There were two performances at each concert, the afternoon and evening show.

  On August 4th, 1976, just fifty days from Agnes returned to Hong Kong This day, she vigorously arrived at Haneda International Airport at 3:20p.m. by Pan Am Airline. She was mobbed by about 80 reporters and curious crowds. And she went to a press conference, at the annex lobby of Tokyu Hotel nearby the airport.

  At the press conference, Mr. Matsushita first explained the topics, and then Agnes spoke.
 
  From here, I'd like Agnes to speak. The following is her speech and talk with reporters at the press conference. It was aired on Fuji TV's program "スター千一夜 Star Sen'ichiya" on August 6^th. This is not covering everything  during the press conference since the air time of the program was just a little more than ten minutes.
 
  Well, hello everyone.
　

  I really feel sorry about the announcement of my retirement I made in Hong Kong, and it caused this big brouhaha. I didn't think that the announcement would become a big topic like this.
　

  It's been about 7 years since I entered the show business, including the time in Hong Kong. And, I think I have taken courage and need to make a decision, to retire from the show business more than to enter the show business. I had moved back and forth, and had a discussion with my family and it was made that I'd better to go to school after all. I've made a decision to go to Canada to study and leap toward the next step.
　

  But, if I did not have a formal farewell to Japanese people and my Japanese fans, I would feel very uncomfortable when I go to Canada. So, the reason why I returned Japan at this time is to have a formal farewell and I'd love to hear from them "Be good!"

 
  One thing I promise that, I will do my best anytime and anywhere and will never forget anyone in Japan. And if I was allowed, I will return to Japan after my graduation. Although, I don't know what is my circumstances, but I will definitely return for sure, even to see them. I promise. And I'm very sorry for my retirement. Thank you all so much.
 
  My father and my family is thinking that it's better for me to go to Canada to studying and graduate there, because I was born in Hong Kong and my nationality is United Kingdom. I have discussed many discussions. Since my major is psychology, but I think I would have a better education in a foreign country rather than in Japan, though I shouldn't say this, because I am a student at Sophia University. After all, the psychology program at Sophia University is not that strong, the program runs in English. The number of professors, resources, books, and libraries are less when compare
with Canada.

  When I returned to Hong Kong, I had been mentioned it was about time for me to change the school because I am entering my fourth semester. But I put this thought away because I was very busy with my works.
  After I took a bit of time off, I have discussed with my family. And I was suddenly told to do so. I was quite surprised. I didn't know what to do. I had an argument and discussed with them. But I didn't talk about this issue with anyone, except my family because the retirement was not yet set.

So I kept this issue to myself.
　

 I was still doing some work over there. I appeared on the film"Shin-Futari no Jiken-bo" and did some interviews. And I did many Hong Kong-oriented works. Then this issue came out.
　

 - Did your father bring up this issue ?

  Yes
　

 - You mean your father told you that it was about the time you thought of your retirement ?
　

  Yes. My father brought the topic of school up.
　

 - Then you had an argument and discussed about many issues with your family. And you've set a conclusion of your retirement then announced at the press conference on the 20^th. Is that right ?
　

  Yes. My sister have tried to talk to me all night long on the day before the press conference. I didn't want to talk, and then I had an argument with her even just before we were about to go to a press conference. She said, "Is this for real? I can't understand. Is this for real?" It was so incredible intense in my home. That's unthinkable.
　

 - You mean that you had a discussion all night on the previous day of the press conference ?

 Yes, though my retirement has actually been already set. But After all, we felt we couldn't yet believe what my father suddenly said or we felt that it made no sense. So, my sister, my mother and I cried. It was so emotional.
  (To the question why she unilaterally announced in Hong Kong, she answered it with tears,)

 I've decided suddenly, you know. I'm sure if... to tell the truth now...if... if people from my agency and... my fans asked me not to retire, I'm sure I would lose my determination. So, I thought I told the people in Japan after I announced in Hong Kong.

  - Don't you have any regret ?
　

  Even now, I don't know well if this is the best decision. But my father thinks this decision is best. So, I believe this so too. And I think it's the best if you all believe so. My father has thought this is what I must do to grow up.
 
  Uhm, I hadn't yet known well my own true feelings. It's because I had never thought of my future or what I wanted to do since I have been very busy during the past 7 years. So, I would also use this time as an opportunity for myself.
  (To a question that she intended to return Japan, she answered,)

  I don't know whether I would return. However, I will not stop singing. I would sing at home and sing for children, even if I don't come back as a professional. I won't leave music.
    (She was asked her feeling right now, then she answered,)

  I was happy. It's because I wanted to return. I wanted to return because I didn't say good-bye to people in Japan.
  Some of my friends (in Hong Kong) told me that it was better not to go back to Japan because I would change my mind. But I would feel like a wrong thing to do, if I went to Canada without returning to say good-bye even once. So I felt relieved so much as was expected, when I heard my plane announced that "We've now arrived at Haneda Airport."

  - Is it certain that Agnes come back to show business after graduation ?
　

  (her agency person) Agnes expressed only her feelings now. We'd like to have discussions about many things with her because we will go through time-consuming processes. Even at this stage, we want Agnes to come back without further delay after graduation. So, we're talking her to come back for sure because everyone waits for you. And we think she herself thinks to want to do so.

Agnes at the press conference

 she answered, "I can't forget that I was so moved when I visited a home of blind people and knew that they listened to my singing."
 
　

  After the press conference, Agnes went to Osaka at 18:30 by JAL. Osaka was the first place for her concert. She once checked in at "Hotel Plaza," but soon after half an hour, she went to Umeda Koma Theater, the Concert
hall, and had had lesson of her last new song she would sing at the concert, until 7 o'clock in the next morning (the morning on 5th ). After that, she continuously did run-through and entered her key stage.

  The concert began with tears and ended with tears. For example, while She sang "白いくつ下は似合わない Shiroi Kutsushita ha Niawanai," she could not  continue singing with tears. Her sister Irene had to hurry towards her from the wing.

  The situation of both concert in Tokyo on 7^th and Nagoya on 8^th, was the same. The concert in Tokyo was recorded as a live album "また逢う日まで Mata Au Hi Made" and we can still join the concert. The program of the concert, including the introduction of her works, was aired as a 90 minutes special TV program on NET TV network at the evening on 8th.

The farewell concert

 Agnes simply wept due to the farewell. She would have thought that they understood her choice for sure. But, the grievous cries, "Don't go!" echoed throughout the concert hall. Another Agnes in Agnes choked with tears was
blown away by the cries. She said later,  "People cried at the thought of me leaving Japan. I couldn't believe it.
It hadn't entered my head that people would be so sad. I think parents liked me because I had a positive image. They wouldn't have minded their children being like me."

 It was a sad misconception between Agnes Chan and her fans, which was revealed at the very end.

 Finally, Agnes completed the concerts. She made her last appearance at a video recording for NET TV program "Shin-Futari noJiken-bo" in the morning on 9^th and appeared on Fuji TV's program "Yoru no Hit Studio" at the night
on the same day. That was her final job.

 The next day, August 10^th was her 1,327^th day from December 22^nd, 1972 since she stepped her foot in Japan for a full-time activity in Japan. She left Japan for Hong Kong with her family at 4 o'clock in the afternoon on this day. This day was also a day her 14th new single was released with the absence of her.

 It's said Agnes left sales of six billion-yen or ten billion-yen in during her three-year and eight months activity.
 Thus, Agnes Chan, the super idol, abruptly brought the curtain down on her first act in Japan.
 
 By the way, Agnes contributed the all of the guarantees she obtained by performing the concerts for the Catholic Church. She hoped that the Church will use the money for home or facility in Japan. But, She was furious at the attitude of the Watanabe Agency that "If you intend to change the concerts to charity concerts, we will reduce your guarantees from 10 thousand dollars to 4 thousand dollars." And the gap between them had deepened more.