After releasing '' Life '' in 2010 , Aki felt as if she were in a slump , and was not inspired to write music . In January 2011 , Aki discovered she had an ectopic pregnancy , after taking ill . After these things , soon followed by the tragedy of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami , Aki contacted a close friend and author , to collaborate on a musical project . She had met him during her unsigned years in Japan ( 2003-2004 ) , at the same time he was having difficulties becoming published . Eventually the book became a best-seller , which he one day hoped to turn into a musical . Aki eventually decided she would enrol in a music school in the United States in order to study how to write Broadway musicals . She decided she could not continue her career in Japan , as she did not want to split her efforts and underperform . At 37 years of age , Aki also felt it was her last chance to realise such a project before it was too late
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
Tapestry of Songs: The Best of Angela Aki