NTV held the third program in its “Nodo Jiman Za! World” series for foreign singers on March 9. “Nodo Jiman” has been around for decades, mostly on NHK — “nodo” means throat and “jiman” means boast. It features amateur singers from across Japan who sing their hearts out before a nationwide audience. It has mainly been for Japanese (although African-American singer Jero once appeared on it). Last year, NTV aired its own version — “Nodo Jiman Za! World,” specifically for foreign residents who love singing J-Pop songs in Japanese.
There are four groups (A, B, C and D) with four participants each. The participant who gets the highest score in each group advances to the final round to compete against the other group winners.
Chris Hart from the U.S. was the winner of the third ”Nodojiman Za! World.” Chris, in B group, sang one of SMAP‘s hit songs, “Yozora no Muko” in front of SMAP member and program MC Masahiro Nakai. After his great performance, Chris did a brief duet with Nakai. Nakai said that “Chris’s performance is amazing, so I’m embarrassed to be here. Chris’s performance is perfect, and I cannot find any weak points.”
One of the judges, veteran singer and television performer Akiko Wada commented that “I love black music, and while some Japanese singers cover back music, it is rare to see black people cover J-Pop. Chris covered ‘Yozora no Muko’ perfectly.”
Chris got the highest score and advanced to the final stage. In the final stage, Chris sang “Tashikanakoto” by Kazumasa Oda who is a very famous Japanese singer-songwriter and composer.
Angela & Phyllis (New York) - SPEED's my graduation
Monique Dehaney (Jamaica) - Princess Princess' M
Kirby Henry (Minnesota) - Arashi's Love So Sweet
Richard & John (Pennsylvania) - Yuzu's Niji
Maaike Ritserveldt (Belgium) - Ikimonogakari's Arigatou
Martina Miale (Italy) - Every Little Thing's Time goes by
Paul Ballard (Britan) - Saito Kazuyoshi's Yasashiku Naritai
Sergio Shimose (Peru) - GReeeeN's Haruka
Nicholas Edwards (Oregon) - B'z's LOVE PHANTOM
Todd Spitz (Connecticut) - Moriyama Naotaro's Sakura
Julie Bernard (Poland) - ZONE's secret base ~ Kimi ga Kureta Mono
Dilâra Aybar (Turkey) - Hiroto You's Hanamizuki
Jessica & Liza (Florida) - SPEED's White Love
Full report on Japan Today, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
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