Conversation so far:
When did Utada Hikaru try the international market?
Utada Hikaru released her English-language debut album Precious in early 1998.
Was Utada Hikaru's album Precious popular?
Utada Hikaru's Precious albumwas a commercial failure.
Was Utada Hiraku's album Precious popular worldwide or was this before her cross-over to the international market?
Utada Hikaru's Precious album was released before her cross-over to the international market.

Question: Did she leave Japan during this time?
Self-contained rewrite: Did Utada Hiraku leave Japan during the time she tried to cross-over to the international market?