July 19, 2000

Japanese pop diva Namie Amuro will be honored by the city of Naha for her efforts to increase awareness of Okinawa Prefecture by singing the theme song for the Group of Eight (G-8) summit beginning Friday in the prefecture, city officials said Wednesday.

The 22-year-old Naha native has already recorded the song and plans to sing it during a Saturday reception welcoming the leaders of the G-8 nations — Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States — plus the European Union, the officials said.

Naha Mayor Kosei Oyadomari will present the award to Amuro at a Naha hotel prior to the reception, to be hosted by the Okinawa prefectural government, the officials said.

The officials praised Amuro for making Naha popular in Japan and promoting tourism in Okinawa Prefecture.

Amuro, who debuted in 1992 and became a star in 1996, blazed a trail for Okinawa natives in the music world. Pop group Speed followed up on her success before disbanding in March.