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Japanese Entertainment News & Info HERE! [part IV]
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'Freakonomics' documentary looks at sumo match-fixing scandal
Monday 18th April, 05:05 AM JST
TOKYO —
“Freakonomics,” a documentary adapted from a book by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner, that has sold over 4 million copies in 35 languages, will be released in Japan on May 28. But it won’t be welcomed by sumo wrestlers or their patrons, nor those who believe that sumo is a clean sport and wrestlers fight solely for the love of the game.
“Freakonomics” explores the recent sumo match-fixing scandal as one of the examples the filmmakers use to prove that, yes, based on economic theories and statistics, people do what they do because they have incentives. The documentary investigates the cheating and shady corporate side of the sumo business as part of the overall investigation of what motivates people to do what they do.
The movie is put together from several different parts by different award-winning documentary filmmakers. Alex Gibney, who won the 2007 Best Documentary Feature Academy Award for his “Taxi to the Dark Side,” contributes to the movie with his sumo segment, titled “Pure Corruption.”
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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Akanishi Jin officially announced in “47 Ronin” cast
Posted on April 14, 2011 by tokyograph
It was confirmed today that former KAT-TUN member Akanishi Jin (26) is making his Hollywood debut in Carl Erik Rinsch’s “47 Ronin.” Akanishi was earlier believed to be in the movie after his name appeared on unofficial cast listings, but the film’s official website has now dispelled all doubt.
Starring Keanu Reeves, the movie is a 3D retelling of the Chushingura, the famous story of the 47 samurai who avenge their master’s honor. Last month, it was revealed that the rest of the main cast features several famous Japanese faces: Sanada Hiroyuki, Shibasaki Kou, Asano Tadanobu, and Kikuchi Rinko.
Reeves plays the half-Japanese outcast Kai, who joins the ranks of the 47 Ronin. Sanada plays Oishi Kuranosuke, the group’s leader. Akanishi will be taking on the part of Oishi Chikara, the leader’s son and a good friend of Kai.
Akanishi auditioned for the part in Hollywood. His English ability, plus his motivation shown through his training in sword fighting and horseback riding, earned him the praise of Rinsch, who stated that Akanishi is the only one who can play Chikara.
Filming started on March 14 in Hungary. It is reported that filming will move on to London and Japan later on.
“47 Ronin” appears to be scheduled for a November 2012 release in the United States and a December 2012 release in Japan.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Miike Takashi’s “Ichimei,” Kawase Naomi’s “Hanezu no Tsuki” to compete at Cannes
Posted on April 14, 2011 by tokyograph
It was announced today that Miike Takashi’s upcoming film “Ichimei” will be in competition for the Palme d’Or at the 64th Cannes Film Festival, being held May 11-22, 2011. The movie, first revealed last September, is a 3D remake of Kobayashi Masaki’s 1962 film “Seppuku” (also known as “Harakiri”).
“Ichimei” stars kabuki actor Ichikawa Ebizo, who was involved in a drunken bar incident last November. Although he took a self-imposed break after that scandal, it was just announced this past weekend that he will be returning to the stage this July, and that “Ichimei” is scheduled for theatrical release in Japan this October.
The movie is sure to gain even more attention with its bid for the prestigious Palme d’Or. Indeed, newspapers are touting the fact that it is the first live-action 3D film to compete at any of the three major international film festivals (Cannes, Berlin, Venice). It will be screened with the English title “Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai.”
In addition to Ichikawa, the cast includes Eita, Mitsushima Hikari, and Yakusho Koji. Yamagishi Kikumi wrote the screenplay.
“Ichimei” will not be the only Japanese film at Cannes this year. “Hanezu no Tsuki,” the newest film by director Kawase Naomi, will also be in competition. Kawase previously won the Grand Prix (the second-highest award) at Cannes in 2007 for her film “Mogari no Mori.”
The festival’s Un Certain Regard section includes Gus Van Sant’s “Restless,” which has actor Kase Ryo in its cast, and Eric Khoo’s animated film “Tatsumi,” based on Tatsumi Yoshihiro’s manga “A Drifting Life.”
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Kusanagi Tsuyoshi, Ichimura Masachika added to Mitani Koki’s “Suteki na Kanashibari”
Posted on April 14, 2011 by tokyograph
Several more members have been added to the spectacular cast of director Mitani Koki’s new movie “Suteki na Kanashibari.” The new additions include Kusanagi Tsuyoshi (SMAP), Ichimura Masachika, comedian Kinoshita Takayuki (TKO), and many more, making this perhaps Mitani’s most star-studded film so far.
News of “Suteki na Kanashibari” first surfaced last year, when it was revealed as a mixture of fantasy, courtroom suspense, and comedy. Fukatsu Eri stars as Emi, a third-rate lawyer with no prospects for the future who is asked to defend a murder suspect. The bizarre case leads to Emi trying to call upon the centuries-old ghost of a fallen warrior as a witness in order to prove her client’s innocence.
The known cast already included Nishida Toshiyuki, Takeuchi Yuko, Abe Hiroshi, Asano Tadanobu, and Nakai Kiichi, along with guest appearances by Karasawa Toshiaki, Fukada Kyoko, Shinohara Ryoko (as her call girl character from “The Uchoten Hotel”), and Sato Koichi (as his actor character from “The Magic Hour”).
The list of newly-announced cast members starts with the aforementioned Kusanagi, Ichimura, and Kinoshita. Joining them are Kohinata Fumiyo, Kobayashi Takashi, KAN, Yamamoto Sen, Toda Keiko, Asano Kazuyuki, Namase Katsuhisa, Kajihara Zen, Anan Kenji, and Kondo Yoshimasa.
“Suteki na Kanashibari” opens on October 29, 2011. The movie is just one of several projects that Mitani is in charge of this year, in celebration of his 50th birthday.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Production halts on Yamada Yoji’s “Tokyo Kazoku”
Posted on April 14, 2011 by tokyograph
Director Yamada Yoji was scheduled to begin shooting his new movie “Tokyo Kazoku” at the start of this month, but distributor Shochiku announced on Thursday that the film’s production has been suspended as a result of the massive Tohoku earthquake and tsunami on March 11.
As previously revealed, “Tokyo Kazoku” was intended to be an homage to Ozu Yasujiro’s 1953 masterpiece “Tokyo Story,” which depicted the relationship between an elderly couple and their busy children, who live with their families in Tokyo.
Yamada and his staff and had been preparing the project for over a year and were on track to start filming on April 1. The movie’s major cast announcement came in February, naming Sugawara Bunta as the star, supported by Ichihara Etsuko, Nishimura Masahiko, Natsukawa Yui, Muroi Shigeru, Hayashiya Shozo, Tsumabuki Satoshi, and Aoi Yu.
Although logistical difficulties contributed to the decision to halt production, Yamada indicated that he is unsure whether he can continue with the project in its current state, given the circumstances in the aftermath of the earthquake. “I wonder if it’s okay to feign ignorance and film according to the already completed script,” he said. “But perhaps the hearts of the people of Tokyo, or even all of Japan, are changing after March 11.”
Yamada plans to hold off on filming, while monitoring the state of the country through the end of this year. At that time, he expects to overhaul the script and will likely set the story in the spring of 2012, in a Tokyo that has dealt with the effects of the earthquake. Shochiku currently anticipates to start filming in early 2012, with a target release date later that year.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Naka Riisa stars as pregnant woman in Ishii Yuya’s “Hara ga Kore Nande”
Posted on April 16, 2011 by tokyograph
Naka Riisa (21) is set to star in a new movie by award-winning director Ishii Yuya (“Kawa no Soko Kara Konnichiwa”). Titled “Hara ga Kore Nande,” the film will have Naka playing a pregnant woman for the first time.
Naka plays Mitsuko, a warm-hearted 24-year-old whose deep sense of duty and empathy are uncommon in modern society. Despite being unmarried and pregnant, without even knowing who the child’s father is, she always prioritizes helping others over her own matters.
Actor Nakamura Aoi (20) plays Yoichi, Mitsuko’s childhood friend. Ishibashi Ryo (54) has also been cast.
“Hara ga Kore Nande” is scheduled to open nationwide this fall.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Usuda Asami, Omori Nao co-star in Okuda Yosuke’s first feature film
Posted on April 16, 2011 by tokyograph
Okuda Yosuke (24) will soon start shooting for his first film that will be released in theaters, titled “Tokyo Playboy Club.” The young director has already established a name for himself with some of his previous films, which were in competition for three years straight at the Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival. In 2010, his “Seishun Hakaba ~Ashita to Isshoni Aruku no da~” captured the Grand Prix.
“Tokyo Playboy Club” is set in the Tokyo underworld, incorporating violence and Okuda’s unique sense of humor. For lead actress Usuda Asami, this project will be her first time appearing in a violent action film.
Omori Nao plays Katsutoshi, a man who winds up in a small Tokyo suburb after some trouble at his workplace. He begins working at a night lounge called the “Tokyo Playboy Club,” run by an old friend (Mitsuishi Ken). Meanwhile, Eriko (Usuda), the girlfriend of one of the lounge’s hosts (Fuchikami Yasushi), starts to question her idle and unchanging lifestyle. One day, Katsutoshi becomes involved in a fight with a local youngster, leading to lots of trouble and an unforeseeable ending.
Miura Takahiro has also reportedly been cast, possibly as the youngster.
“Tokyo Playboy Club” is scheduled for theatrical release this winter.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Abe Hiroshi, Ueto Aya star in “Thermae Romae” live-action movie
Posted on April 17, 2011 by tokyograph
Cameras are already rolling for the live-action movie adaptation of Yamazaki Mari’s “Thermae Romae” manga, but the main cast has just been revealed. Abe Hiroshi (46) will star, while Ueto Aya (25) will play the female lead.
The manga, which won the Manga Taisho and a Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize last year, is a comedy about Lucius (Abe), an ancient Roman bath house architect who travels through time to modern Japan and finds inspiration in its bath houses. Ueto will play the part of Mami, a young Japanese woman aiming to become a manga artist.
The film is being directed by Takeuchi Hideki, who handled the live-action “Nodame Cantabile” series and other dramas such as “Densha Otoko.” The screenplay was written by Muto Shogo, who also worked on “Densha Otoko,” as well as the “Hanazakari no Kimitachi e” drama and the “Crows ZERO” movies.
Filming started in Rome on March 14 and is expected to finish in early May. Theatrical release is planned for 2012.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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“Kokuhaku” wins another in 2nd Nippon Theater Staff Film Festival
Posted on April 18, 2011 by tokyograph
The awards for the 2nd Nippon Theater Staff Film Festival were presented on Sunday. A total of 881 staff members from 365 cinemas nationwide sent in their votes, resulting in Nakashima Tetsuya’s “Kokuhaku” taking the grand prize. The movie’s star, Matsu Takako (33), was chosen as Best Actress as well.
Yakusho Koji (55) was named Best Actor for his role in “Saigo no Chushingura,” but he was absent from the presentation ceremony because of filming for another project. Kiritani Kenta (31) was voted as Best Supporting Actor for “BECK,” while Kiki Kirin (68) picked up Best Supporting Actress for “Akunin.”
The title of Best Director went to Sono Sion for “Tsumetai Nettaigyo” (“Cold Fish”), and Best Screenplay went to Takahashi Izumi for “Solanin.” Yasukawa Goro received Best Music for “Chonmage Purin.”
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Japanese wins Franz Liszt piano competition in Netherlands
TOKYO —
A 26-year-old Japanese man has won the triennial International Franz Liszt piano competition in the Netherlands, his alma mater Showa Academia Musicae said Sunday.
Masataka Goto was among 22 finalists from 11 countries in the contest held through Saturday in Utrecht, the college in Kanagawa Prefecture and the organizer said.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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X Japan to make Japan festival debut at Summer Sonic this year
TOKYO —
Japanese rock band X Japan have announced on their official homepage that they are to play live at Summer Sonic this year. The performances will mark their first ever appearances in a Japanese music festival.
Summer Sonic will take place on Aug 13 and 14 in both Chiba and Osaka simultaneously. X Japan will play at both venues. It will mark 24 years since they played in Chiba as “X” back in 1987. It is also 15 years since they last played in Osaka.
Sources close to the band say that the Summer Sonic organizers invited X Japan via leader Yoshiki Hayashi, 45, earlier this year, but as plans had been made to tour North America, the band could not commit to the festival. However, after seeing the scale of the destruction caused by the Tohoku earthquake on March 11, Yoshiki said, “I want to put some energy and spirit back into my country with our music.”
The band has also endorsed the festival organizers’ plans to donate part of the proceeds to earthquake relief charities.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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“Japanese Americans” drama wins grand prize in 19th Hashida Awards
Posted on April 9, 2011 by tokyograph
The winners were recently announced for the 19th Hashida Awards, which are presented annually to works and individuals in the field of television. This time, the grand prize was given to the TBS drama special “99-nen no Ai ~Japanese Americans~” from last November that starred SMAP member Kusanagi Tsuyoshi.
The Hashida Award was also given to “Shogen Kiroku: Heishitachi no Sensou” (NHK), screenwriter Sakamoto Yuji (“Mother,” NTV), and actor Fukuyama Masharu (“Ryomaden,” NHK).
The newcomer award went to Matsushita Nao and Mukai Osamu for their roles in the popular NHK series “Gegege no Nyoubou.”
A special prize was awarded to actress Nomura Akiko for “Wataru Seken wa Oni Bakari” (TBS).
The awards ceremony will be held on May 10 in Nishi-Waseda, Tokyo.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Ichikawa Ebizo’s kabuki comeback scheduled for July
Posted on April 10, 2011 by tokyograph
Shochiku announced on Sunday that kabuki actor Ichikawa Ebizo (33) will make his stage comeback with the July “Dai-Kabuki.” He will then also star in a new movie from director Miike Takashi that will be released this October.
Ichikawa has been on a self-imposed break since his drunken bar brawl last November, in which he suffered severe injuries. Although his assailant was later arrested and pleaded guilty to charges of assault, Ichikawa is said to have provoked the man with his violent behavior.
Ichikawa’s film project with Miike was actually announced last September. Now titled “Ichimei,” the movie is a 3D remake of Kobayashi Masaki’s 1962 classic “Seppuku” (known overseas as “Harakiri”). It will be the first jidaigeki film done in 3D.
More information about the film’s supporting cast will be released at a later date.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (Winter 2011): Aibou Season 9
Posted on April 11, 2011 by tokyograph
Last week, Nikkan Sports revealed the results of the winter season of its 14th Drama Grand Prix. Surprisingly, the big winner was the 9th season of “Aibou,” taking three of the five categories.
Voting started on March 3 and continued until March 16 – despite the Tohoku earthquake – collecting a total of 2,248 votes. As usual, the winter awards were conducted early in preparation for the overall annual awards, but Nikkan Sports has announced that it will not hold the annual awards this time due to the effects of the earthquake.
Best Drama:
Aibou season 9 – 350
Fuyu no Sakura – 282
Utsukushii Rinjin – 190
Bartender – 176
Gaikoukan Kuroda Kosaku – 167
Best Actor:
Mizutani Yutaka (Aibou season 9) – 510
Kusanagi Tsuyoshi (Fuyu no Sakura) – 415
Aiba Masaki (Bartender) – 310
Oda Yuji (Gaikoukan Kuroda Kosaku) – 260
Eguchi Yosuke (School!!) – 227
Best Actress:
Nakama Yukie (Utsukushii Rinjin) – 537
Tabe Mikako (Deka Wanko) – 372
Matsushita Nao (CONTROL ~Hanzai Shinri Sousa~) – 247
Takimoto Miori (Teppan) – 222
Ueno Juri (Gou ~Himetachi no Sengoku~) – 220
Best Supporting Actor:
Oikawa Mitsuhiro (Aibou season 9) – 254
Kagawa Teruyuki (Gaikoukan Kuroda Kosaku) – 203
Takashima Masanobu (Fuyu no Sakura) – 197
Miura Haruma (Taisetsu na Koto wa Subete Kimi ga Oshiete Kureta) – 180
Toyokawa Etsushi (Gou ~Himetachi no Sengoku~) – 180
Best Supporting Actress:
Imai Miki (Fuyu no Sakura) – 285
Takei Emi (Taisetsu na Koto wa Subete Kimi ga Oshiete Kureta) – 266
Dan Rei (Utsukushii Rinjin) – 244
Shibasaki Kou (Gaikoukan Kuroda Kosaku) – 222
Fuji Sumiko (Teppan) – 168
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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“Bakusho! Dainippon Akan Keisatsu” regular cast includes Yasuda Shota, Tanaka Koki, AKB48
Posted on April 11, 2011 by tokyograph
  
In February, it was announced that comedy duo Downtown will be hosting their variety show “Bakusho! Dainippon Akan Keisatsu” on a weekly basis starting this this spring. It has now been revealed that the show’s regular cast includes Kanjani8’s Yasuda Shota, KAT-TUN’s Tanaka Koki, and several members of AKB48.
Downtown previously hosted the show as a special program three times in 2009 and 2010. Due to its popularity, Fuji TV decided to give it a regular Sunday 8:00pm time slot, starting on April 24. As always, the show will feature Hamada Masatoshi as a police chief and Matsumoto Hitoshi as a commissioner, who lead a team of detectives in investigating absurd cases.
While the show will still have various guests on the show, Downtown has also added two new groups that will make regular appearances. The “Johnny’s Detectives” will consist of Yasuda and Tanaka, and one of them will appear every other week. On the other hand, the “AKB Detectives” will consist of three members, rotating each week.
The first episode of “Bakusho! Dainippon Akan Keisatsu” will be a 2-hour special. Imada Koji, Itao Itsuji, and Higashino Koji will guest star as detectives, and the show’s judges will include Go Hiromi and Daichi Mao. Yasuda will represent the “Johnny’s Detectives,” while Oshima Yuko, Shinoda Mariko, and Kojima Haruna will represent the “AKB Detectives.”
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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AKB48 sub-unit DiVA to perform in Shanghai at Kobe Collection event
Posted on April 12, 2011 by tokyograph
The newly-formed AKB48 sub-unit DiVA will be performing in Shanghai this weekend, marking the first time that AKB48 members have held a performance in China proper. Their appearance is part of the Kobe Collection 2011 Shanghai fashion show that will be held at the Pudong Exhibition Center.
DiVA was revealed in February at the same time that member Akimoto Sayaka completed the Tokyo Marathon and was reinstated as captain of AKB48's Team K. The other members of the foursome are Umeda Ayaka, Masuda Yuka, and Miyazawa Sae.
This will be the fifth time that the Kobe Collection fashion show has held an event outside Japan. This year’s participants include Hasegawa Jun, Kato Natsuki, LIZA, and Hirano Yumi, but DiVA’s Akimoto and Miyazawa will also be walking the runway as models.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Hayashi Kento, Kiritani Mirei to lead “Arakawa Under the Bridge” cast
Posted on April 13, 2011 by tokyograph
It is being reported that Hayashi Kento (20) and Kiritani Mirei (21) have been cast as the stars of the live-action “Arakawa Under the Bridge” movie, which was announced at the start of this month. The news is being revealed in this week’s issue of Young Gangan (Square Enix).
“Arakawa Under the Bridge” is an offbeat comedy manga by Nakamura Hikaru about a young man named Riku (played by Hayashi), whose life is saved by a strange girl named Nino (played by Kiritani). In order to repay his debt to her, he accepts her request to fall in love with her, and he begins living with her under a bridge in Tokyo’s Arakawa ward.
As previously announced, the live-action project consists of a drama series this summer and a theatrical film in spring 2012.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Charlotte vocalist Kazuno suddenly dies at 29
Posted on April 13, 2011 by tokyograph
Visual-kei band Charlotte announced on Monday that vocalist Kazuno passed away at 12:51am on April 5th. He was only 29 years old.
The announcement stated that Kazuno died due to sudden illness. According to Sports Hochi, a source familiar with the situation said that the cause of death was acute heart failure. Kazuno was reportedly taken to the hospital on the morning of April 4 after losing consciousness.
Charlotte officially formed in 2001. Their major label debut came in 2006 with the single “Yokohama Love Story / Diamond Busaiku.”
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Nakatani Miki to make stage debut in Canada
Posted on April 13, 2011 by tokyograph
Actress Nakatani Miki (35) has surprisingly never appeared in a theatrical play before, but now she will be starring in one that will be first performed in Canada before coming to Japan. The play is being directed by François Girard, who also directed the 2007 movie “Silk” that Nakatani appeared in.
The production is based on Inoue Yasushi’s 1949 short novel “Ryoju,” a tale about a hunter and his affair over a 13-year span. A friend of Girard recommended the book to him while he was filming “Silk.” After reading it, he decided to adapt it to the stage, and he chose Nakatani as the lead actress. She will play three roles as the hunter’s wife, his mistress, and his mistress’ child.
Dancer and actor Rodrigue Proteau has been cast as the hunter. The play’s staff include members of “ZED,” the Cirque du Soleil show that is performed at the Tokyo Disney Resort.
Rehearsals for the play begin in Canada this August. It will be performed in Montreal at Usine C on September 14-17, then in Shibuya, Tokyo, at the PARCO Theater on October 3-23.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Director Yamada delays 'Tokyo Family' film to incorporate disaster
Friday 15th April, 03:14 AM JST
TOKYO —
The production of veteran filmmaker Yoji Yamada’s new movie ‘‘Tokyo Kazoku’’ (Tokyo Family) will be put off so the director can rewrite the script to incorporate social changes after the March 11 quake and tsunami, production company Shochiku Co said Thursday.
Shooting is now expected to begin early next year. Shochiku had originally planned to begin filming this month and release the film in December.
Yamada, 79, said, ‘‘I want to write a story set in a Tokyo that has experienced (Japan’s) largest postwar disaster after looking at the situation of this nation through the end of the year and thoroughly reviewing the script.’‘
The new film, billed as about contemporary family life, is based on director Yasujiro Ozu’s masterpiece ‘‘Tokyo Story,’’ shifting its setting to the present day.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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