Japanese star Takuya Kimura to perform in Taiwan on his birthday

Taipei, May 29 (CNA) Iconic Japanese entertainer Takuya Kimura (木村拓哉) announced Friday that he will embark on a concert tour later this year covering five Asian cities, including performances in Taipei on Nov. 13 and 14, saying he "can't wait" to meet fans.

Kimura, who will celebrate his 54th birthday on Nov. 13, will hold his concerts at the Taipei Music Center. It marks his first solo overseas concerts in Taipei in his 35-year career, according to the Taipei concert organizer, Big Art Co., Ltd.

Titled "Takuya Kimura Live Tour 2026 Checkpoint," the tour will consist of nine performances in five cities -- Hyogo, Fukuoka and Chiba in Japan, Seoul in South Korea, and Taipei in Taiwan -- from Sept. 9 to Nov. 23.

Citing Kimura's announcement, Big Art said Kimura, also renowned as an actor for his work in television dramas and films, will release a brand-new original album, titled "Checkpoint," this summer, his first work since joining the new music label C&C STAGE.

The title "Checkpoint" not only echoes the theme of the tour, but also symbolizes Kimura reaching a new milestone on the way to the next stage of his career, Big Art said.

In his statement on the new album, Kimura said he hopes the "Checkpoint" project will allow "everyone to feel the existence of 'me as seen by all of you' and 'all of you as seen by me.'"

He said he is continuing to produce songs so the concerts can become places where audiences can fully enjoy themselves together.

"I received many calls from overseas fans asking, 'Can you come here?' [Thanks to that support,] I'm finally able to hold concerts overseas for the first time since starting my solo activities. I can't wait to meet everyone abroad!," Kimura said.