Live 8 kicks off with a whimper in Japan

The worldwide Live 8 charity extravaganza got off to a bit of an anticlimactic start today as Bjork and Good Charlotte joined a handful of Japanese bands for a concert that failed to generate much interest in Asia’s only G8 nation.

Added on to the Live 8 list at the last minute, the concert in Japan drew only about 10,000 people, all of whom were selected in a lottery. The venue in the Tokyo suburb of Makuhari normally holds about 20,000.

“It’s always better to have more people,” said Jesse, the lead singer for Rize, a Japanese hard rock/rap band that had the honour of being the first act to play in the Live 8 event.

Live 8 aims to push aid for Africa high on the agenda of the Group of Eight major industrial nations when they hold their annual summit in Scotland next week.

Still, he said it’s the thought that counts.

“It’s a good event for Africa, a good event for the world,” he said. “We’d play even if it was just for one person.”

“So many people are going to be watching it on their televisions – that’s what really matters,” added Harry Judd, of the British band McFly.

Japan became the kick-off point because it is in an earlier time zone than the other host cities around the world. Organisers say Live 8 will bring 100 artists on stage in nine countries and reach an audience of more than 5.5 billion.

It failed to create much of a buzz in Japan, however.

Japan’s line-up, announced just a week ago, was a far cry from U2, Madonna and Paul McCartney, who will be performing in London, or Stevie Wonder and Destiny’s Child, who will be among the stars coming out in Philadelphia.

But organisers say the inclusion of Japan was what matters most.

Japan is the only Asian country hosting Live 8, and is also the only Asian country in the G8. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi will be travelling to Scotland next week to attend the summit.

“Japan is an economic powerhouse,” said Claire Lewis, of Oxfam, which is helping organise the event. “We feel Japan should be represented and there should be a voice from Japan saying we want to have an end to poverty.”

The other Live 8 concerts will be held in Britain, France, Germany, Canada, the US, Russia, South Africa and Italy.