Ayumi Hamasaki to announce shock retirement from music?

Empress of Pop created a stir on Monday when rumors have surfaced that her career was over.

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Sad news for Hamasaki fans. Speculation had been rife that Empress of Pop is about to announce her retirement from music, at age 47, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 06/01/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being a singer isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being a singer just isn't fun anymore,” she might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that she may branch out into other creative fields she is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouAyumi

For a little while on Monday evening, #ThankYouAyumi was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made her make the decision.

“Ayumi Hamasaki was unlike any other singer we’ve ever seen! #ThankYouAyumi”
— @universalObserver, 5 Jan 2026

“I thought Ayumi Hamasaki retired about 5 years ago?!?”
— @millythom, 5 Jan 2026

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