Why did The Beatles 1966 tour of Japan start badly?

The Japanese leg of The Beatles' 1966 world tour was hugely anticipated in a country where Beatlemania had been growing for over two years. The band had become symbolic of a simmering culture war, with divisions most visible on generational lines.

For their part, The Beatles were hoping for a respite from Beatlemania. Japanese fans, they were assured, would be restrained in their devotion.

Things did not go according to plan.

Notice near Tokyo hotel asking Beatles fans to disperse

Eve of Tour threat

The first sign of a potential problem came on the eve of their flight. An unsigned telegram arrived from Japan. It contained a cryptic warning:  PLEASE DO NOT FLY TO TOKYO. YOUR CAREER IS IN DANGER.

This was the first indication to The Beatles' management of a fierce controversy surrounding the choice of concert venue in Tokyo. 

The Budokan Arena was seen by many Japanese as a shrine to their war dead. For ultra nationalists, allowing a Western pop group to play there was an affront to national dignity.

Typhoon Kit

Unsettled, The Beatles flew out from Hamburg. Their flight to Tokyo was scheduled to take a gruelling sixteen hours. This was then extended when Typhoon Kit forced an unscheduled stopover in Anchorage, Alaska.

After a lengthy spell on the tarmac, Brian Epstein managed to get The Beatles to a local hotel, where they checked in at 3.30a.m. By the time they awoke, their arrival had been broadcast on local radio stations. Fans now surrounded their hotel.

Once again, The Beatles were effectively Five Star prisoners in their hotel suite, where they were forced to wait until their flight was cleared to continue.  

Free Advertising

Tired and disgruntled, The Beatles complained they needed to change their clothes, which were still on the plane. Japanese Airline officials then provided them with traditional Happi coats. This provided the airline with what has been described as 'the greatest (free) advertising in aviation history.'

When The Beatles finally got to Tokyo, they were greeted by a police escort. Controversy surrounding their concerts had intensified in Japan, with the country divided on generational lines.  

The band gave a surly performance at an interminable press conference and faced unprecedented security. They were advised not to leave their hotel, though John and Paul managed to sneak out on separate occasions. 

Legacy

Despite the tension, the concerts were a great success. They are now seen as an important signifier of the liberalisation of Japanese youth culture.