Olivia Newton-John is one of Australia’s most iconic exports, and her name is revered in countries like the United States and England.
But did you know that the Grease star is also big in Japan?
Well, the performer is so respected by the country that she has received one of the highest accolades the government bestows.
The 73-year-old has been given the Japanese Order of the Rising Sun, which recognises her contribution to Japan’s music culture, and for helping to create a positive relationship between our nations.
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In a video shared by Ambassador Yamagami Shingo on Twitter, Olivia shared a message dedicated to Japan and thanked them for the honour.
“I first visited Japan in 1972, and since then I’ve been back more than 10 times, one of my favourite countries and favourite people. A particularly memorable moment was my “Pray for Fukushima” concert in 2015 in Fukushima.
“I was deeply touched by the resilience of the people affected by the disaster and it was a heart-warming experience.
“I so look forward to visiting Japan and seeing you all again soon thank you so much,” she said.
Olivia was the first international artist to hold a performance in Fukushima four years after their nuclear disaster in 2015.
Olivia performing at Sunplaza Hall, Tokyo in 2006.
(Credit: Getty)In Yanagami’s comment section on Twitter, fans of the star expressed their delight.
One wrote, “What a Star!” and another shared, “Wow, Olivia. That’s an honour. Congratulations. My Japanese-Aussie grandboys and girls were most interested to learn about this.”
The honour will be made official during a conferral ceremony, which will occur at Canberra’s Japanese embassy once travel restrictions put in place due to the pandemic ease.
It has been a big few months for Olivia, who recently celebrated 40 years of her hit Physical.
To mark the song’s anniversary, the performer went on Fox News to discuss her milestone and revealed that she didn’t realise the song was NSFW until after its release.
Olivia Newton-John at a 1976 press conference in Tokyo.
(Credit: Getty)“That’s when I freaked out,” she said.
The lyrics were ultimately too “raunchy” for its 1981 release date, and when it was banned from radio, it left her “a little embarrassed.”
ONJ explained that she had been told, “They call it reinventing yourself,” when she found her fans began to approach her differently.
“I wasn’t doing it on purpose. It just was the song that I was attracted to and the album. But I feel very fortunate that I had the opportunity to record it,” she explained.
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