"When I first heard someone call us 'idols' I thought an idol meant someone who had lived a long life and was at the gates of heaven," singer Menaka told AFP reporter Alastair Himmer. "But in Tokyo they told me it was an entertainer – which was a relief because I thought it meant I was on my way to heaven. I hadn't even been to Tokyo or Osaka. I wanted to go there before I went to heaven. Going to Tokyo for the first time, I thought I was so lucky to be born. I got to meet my grandchildren. I'll never forget it. I was moved to tears."