It must have been hard not to recall the Vapors' classic pop hit Turning Japanese at College Farm on Sunday afternoon.

There, slap bang in the fair fields of Finchley's Fitzalan Road, sat rows of Japanese families, swaying in the breeze as one of their country's most famous performers sang to them.

Takako Shirai is known to millions back home as an Oriental version of Kate Bush and attracted a large following from the expatriate community here who frequent the farm's Tea Room.

The legendary singer-songwriter, who once lived in leafy seclusion in Highgate, had returned to England to make a documentary charting her life.

As the Japanese NHK TV cameras recorded the 90-minute concert -- due for home broadcast in July -- a delighted tenant farmer Chris Ower looked on.

"She was brilliant," he gushed. "She was only little but she had a fantastic voice."

The Tea Room, run by Sue Russell, has been shortlisted for the Tea Council's 1998 Top Tea Place of the Year Award. The winner will be announced on June 15.

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