British singer Susan Boyle arrives in Japan

British singer Susan Boyle is in Japan to perform in NHK's annual New Year's Eve song event.

She arrived from London at Narita Airport, near Tokyo on Tuesday. This is her first visit to Japan.

In the arrival lobby of the airport, she waved and smiled to people. She told reporters that it was very nice to be in Japan.

The 48-year-old Boyle came to international attention for her beautiful voice after she appeared on a British talent search television show.

Her first album released in November made a big hit, recording top sales in the United States and Britain. The album also became the number one non-Japanese album for 4 weeks in a row.

Boyle is to perform in the year-end TV show in NHK Hall in Tokyo as a guest singer.