# Wa to Yo

Wa to Yo (和と洋, lit. Japanese and Western) is the eleventh studio album by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai. It was released on June 7, 2017, through EMI Records, as a double album. Wanting to express both her American and Japanese background, Ai recorded the Wa disc in Japanese with traditional Japanese sensibilities while the Yo disc was recorded in English with R&B and hip hop influences.

## Background

After the release of Moriagaro in 2013, Ai was engaged to Hiro, the leader and vocalist of the rock band Kaikigesshoku. The pair had been dating for 10 years, and wed in January 2014. In August 2015, Ai gave birth to her first child. In November 2015, EMI released a greatest hits album, The Best. A deluxe version was released in 2016.
Wa to Yo was first teased on Ai's YouTube channel on April 20, 2017.

## Development

Wanting to "convey the goodness of Japan" to the rest of the world and "the goodness of the overseas to Japanese people", Ai collaborated with several producers, artists and songwriters from both Japan and the west coast. The album combines traditional Japanese instruments with modern western genres. Majority of the songs on the album were used in commercial tie-ins, such as "Feel It", which was used by Japanese fashion brand Global Work.
In a 2017 interview with The Japan Times, Ai explained Japanese record labels found her sound "too American" at the start of her career. She further added she loved "both (sides)" of her Japanese and American background equally. Regarding the lyricism of Wa to Yo, Ai described the Yo disc as "sexier, and has more love songs" compared to the Wa disc.
In an interview with her record label, Ai stated majority of the English songs from the Yo disc were recorded during her Atlantic City session, originally intended for her tenth studio album, Moriagaro.

## Release and promotion

The album was released on June 7, 2017. Unlike most physical releases in Japan, no first press editions bundles were included.
In promotion of the album, Ai embarked on the Wa to Yo Tour. A video album was released containing footage from the tour in June 2018.

### Singles

Two singles were released from Wa to Yo. The lead single "Justice Will Prevail at Last" was released a month prior to the album's release. The song served as the theme song for the Japanese drama Emergency Interrogation Room. "Justice Will Prevail at Last" failed to enter Japanese charts until the release of Wa to Yo, debuting and peaking at number 74 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100. Within the same month of Wa to Yo being released, Ai announced she would be providing a new song featuring Japanese comedian Naomi Wantanabe for the Japanese comedy show Kanna-san!. The song, "Kira Kira", was later serviced to Japanese radio and released digitally shortly after. "Kira Kira" was a commercial success in Japan, peaking at number 19 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 and being nominated for the Grand Prix award at the 59th Japan Record Awards.

## Critical reception

Patrick ST. Michel of the Japan Times gave Wa to Yo a positive review, noting how well the Wa and Yo disc connects "despite its two distinctive sides". He added that part of the Wa disc falls short when it "embraces a staple of J-pop – the ballad."

## Track listing

All tracks written by Ai Uemura except where noted.
Deluxe edition