Sixty years ago today, The Beatles arrived in Japan. The four members landed at Haneda Airport in the early hours of June 29, 1966. Although their arrival was significantly delayed due to a typhoon, the four stepped down the airplane stairs wearing happi coats and cheerfully waved to the fans who had gathered to welcome them.
According to press reports, around 300 members of the media gathered for the afternoon press conference. When asked, "The fans make such a commotion at concerts that the music cannot be heard..." they responded, "When people want to hear the songs, they can listen to the records. Those who want to see us can come to the stage. So it doesn't bother us if they make noise."
Comprising John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, The Beatles held a total of five concerts in Japan at the Nippon Budokan from June 30 to July 2. In an article reporting their departure from Japan in the early hours of July 3, the Mainichi Shimbun ran the headline, ""The Beatles Typhoon" Passes."