Ayaka and Koji Tamaki announce new musical collaboration

Singer-songwriter Ayaka is collaborating with Koji Tamaki on the track ‘Hanataba janaku Kimi to Itai’ (I Want to Be With You, Not a Bouquet). The song is set for a pre-release digital distribution on August 18, ahead of its inclusion in her 20th-anniversary best-of album, ‘20 Lights - The Collection -’, scheduled for release on September 9.

This marks the second collaboration between the two artists following their 2022 work on the film theme song ‘Beautiful World’. While the previous pairing was initiated by Tamaki, this new collaboration was prompted by an offer from Ayaka. The track is a grand ballad featuring only piano accompaniment by Satoshi Shioya, designed to represent the culmination of Ayaka’s themes of love over her 20-year career.

Ayaka described the collaboration as a ‘truly special event’ involving an artist she deeply respects. Tamaki expressed his congratulations on her 20th anniversary, noting it was an honor to sing the song together. Ayaka will also begin a 20th-anniversary tour across 19 cities in Japan next month.