The Beatles in Japan 50 Years Ago

It all happened 50 years ago. The Beatles came to Japan in 1966 to turn the whole thing upside down. Today’s episode has to do with their maiden tour of Japan as reported by NHK, July 1.

The JAL with the Beatles on board left Hamburg for Haneda via Anchorage. Ryozo Shigeoka, 72, was a cabin attendant then up to Anchorage. He recalls:

“We had done an exhaustive ‘survey’ on what they would like inflight. A dozen more of champaign was loaded for Paul McCartney, gin for Ringo Starr. Ringo had a habit of saying ‘Good Idea’ each time offered gin.”

Shigeoka had a memorable experience onboard the flight. All others had gone asleep and Paul was all alone in the lounge. He went up to him and offered a glass of champaign. Shigeoka told Paul he is his fan.

“Which piece you like most?”, asked Paul.
“Yesterday!” Shigeoka said.

Paul took a fan, make it a guitar and quietly sung him “Yesterday".

“Yes, he sung it for me on a fan-guitar - the song so many love to hear him sing - just for me. I was exulted”, recalls Shigeoka.

The first-class cabin on JAL that day was the Beatles’ mainden contact with Japan. Shigeoka wanted to have them wear Happi, a kimono cabin wear, but the boys had hard time putting them on. John Lennon was least interested even to try.

Shigeoka told them Happi is for every Japanese to cheer wearing it on festivals, etc. They finally agreed to learn how to wear them.

In fact, the idea of having them wear Happi had long been agreed since the moment the group signed to come for concerts in Japan: mission - to have them come down the ramp wearing Happi!

On June 29, 1966, precisely at 39 past 3, the Beatles came stepping down the ramp wearing Happi - with the two crucial words: JAL and Nikko. It was a grand design to make the Beatles the most cost-efficient PR vehicle.

Good show, Shigeoka!