Japanese Entertainment News & Info HERE! [part IV]

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Mona Yamamoto announces her marriage

Tuesday 17th August, 12:00 PM JST



TOKYO —

“Talent” Mona Yamamoto, 34, on Monday said in a statement faxed to media that she had married the president of a real estate investment company one year her junior whom she had been dating for some time. The couple went to their local ward office to register their marriage, which is Yamamoto’s second.

In the statement, Yamamoto—who attended Monday night’s Japan premiere for “The A Team” film, said that she would be cutting back her showbiz activities. “From now on, I’d like to support my husband so we can build a happy home together.”

The date for an official wedding ceremony and reception has not yet been decided upon. Yamamoto, who denied being pregnant, said at the end of last year that she hopes to have three children.

The couple have no plans to hold a press conference, but fans can no doubt expect to hear more about her marriage plans during her regularly broadcast “Otake Makoto Golden Radio!” program (weekdays 10 p.m.).

Source: www.japantoday.com

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Sato B-saku Steps Down from Stage Role       
August 16, 2010



Actor Sato B-saku (61) is the latest celebrity to announce that cancer has forced him to put his career on hold. The rumors began yesterday after it was revealed that he was stepping down from his role in an ongoing production at the Mitsukoshi Gekijo theater in Tokyo for health reasons. As he underwent surgery for stomach cancer in May 2008, the media speculated that a recurrence of the same condition was the most likely explanation. Today he acknowledged that a growth had been found in his stomach, though as yet it is not known if it is malignant or benign.

Sato will continue to perform until August 19, after which Matsumura Yuki (46), who was already appearing in the play, will take over his role for the last three shows of the Tokyo run and carry on in the role during a nationwide tour until the end of September.

Source: www.japan-zone.com

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X Japan - The New and the Old       
August 16, 2010



For the first time in the long history of X Japan, the country's premier rock band performed a solo show outdoors and they did it with "seven members." Of course, one of those members was the late guitarist Hide, who died in 1998 but is still given honorary band membership. But during their shows at the weekend the five current members were joined for the encore by bassist Taiji, who last played with the band 18 years ago.

The two shows at the Nissan Yokohama Stadium drew 130,000 fans, who were treated to a 12-minute drum solo by band leader Yoshiki. It was the first time for him to perform the hyper-speed solo (he is said to play at 800 beats per minute) since he underwent surgery for a hernia last year. So it was made all the more dramatic by the 10m-high revolving drum stage and the neck brace he wears since the surgery. With the song "Tears" playing in the background, Yoshiki tearfully thanked his fans, saying, "Each and every one of you is the wind beneath our wings."



The band performed 11 songs, including the new track "Jade." And as they got ready to play "X" for an encore, vocalist Toshi called an old friend onto the stage to join them. Taiji (photo left) was a member of the band for its first three albums and was the man behind the extravagant stage costumes and hairstyles that largely defined the visual kei rock image. he left the band in 1992 due to "musical differences" and went on to perform with Loudness and D.T.R.

The stadium shows, which cost an estimated ¥1 billion, were the Japan leg of a world tour that hits North America on September 25 and is said to be heading to Europe early in 2011.

Source: www.japan-zone.com

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Nagayama Yoko an "Arafo Mama"



Enka singer Nagayama Yoko (42) announced on her blog this morning that she became a mother for the first time yesterday. She and American entrepreneur Mark Smith (41) are the proud parents of a bouncing baby girl. Smith is the president and CEO of temp staffing company Skillhouse Staffing Solutions. Arafo is the Japanese abbreviation of "around forty" and has been popular in the last couple of years when referring to those who marry or have children after reaching that landmark age.

Source: www.japan-zone.com

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SCANCH reunites to raise money for injured bassist
Mon, August 16, 2010 (11:34am EDT)

Rock band SCANCH is getting back together for the sake of one its members. It was recently learned that bassist Shima-chang fell down the stairs in her home last year, suffering a serious head injury. She is currently in rehabilitation, but the other members of SCANCH are putting together their first tour in three years in order to raise money for her.

Shima-chang's management said that the accident had resulted in a potentially deadly brain hemorrhage, but she was fortunately treated in time. She was relocated to a hospital in Osaka where her parents live, then returned to Tokyo after being released in June. Shima-chang is currently using a wheelchair and visiting a hospital for physical therapy.

The band SCANCH started their career during the '80s, and they rose to popularity following their major label debut in 1990. They disbanded in 1996 and the members were involved in other projects, but they reunited for a tour in 1996 and 1997.

Led by musician/producer ROLLY (46) as the vocalist and guitarist, SCANCH will launch an 8-concert tour between December 7 and January 15. Kenji Sato, formerly of the glam rock band Marchosias Vamp, will fill in for Shima-chang on bass. As ROLLY has announced, part of the proceeds will go to Shima-chang.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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X Japan reveals North American tour dates
Mon, August 16, 2010 (7:56pm EDT)



X Japan successfully completed their North American concert debut at Lollapalooza earlier this month, and now they have finally announced details of their upcoming North American tour. They will perform seven shows, starting next month.

9/25 - Los Angeles
9/28 - Oakland
10/1 - Seattle
10/3 - Vancouver
10/6 - Chicago
10/7 - Toronto
10/10 - New York
Tickets are now on sale through Ticketmaster (Etix.com for the Chicago concert).

It was also previously reported that X Japan plans to tour Europe next year, but no details are known yet.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Second son for Izumi Ogami
Tue, August 17, 2010 (9:50am EDT)



Freelance announcer and voice actress Izumi Ogami (41) announced on her blog that she gave birth to her second child on August 11. She revealed that the boy is named Eisuke and weighed 3,304 grams at birth.

Ogami married former baseball player Daisuke Motoki (38) in January 2000. Their first son, Shota, was born in January 2006.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Melo Imai reveals marriage and motherhood
Tue, August 17, 2010 (10:33am EDT)



22-year-old snowboarder Melo Imai has announced that she is married and is already a mother. According to her brother, snowboarder Domu Narita (24), Imai's husband is said to be a 20-year-old working for an apparel-related company. The couple got married in February and Imai gave birth to a son on July 28.

Both Imai and Narita represented Japan in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino. Narita recently revealed his intention to enter show business, while still training for a chance to compete again at the Olympics in 2014. Meanwhile, Imai has also stated that she hopes to return to the sport after she has recovered from the childbirth.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Arthur Kuroda finds new girlfriend
Tue, August 17, 2010 (8:01pm EDT)



Actor Arthur Kuroda (49) has a new girlfriend, described as a self-employed 32-year-old. His agency acknowledged that it has heard he is in a relationship. The company also said that Kuroda seems to be considering marriage, though it has not yet received any official notice about such plans.

It was recently reported by a tabloid that Kuroda was on a date with former Takarazuka actress Miharu Morina (42). According to the agency, Kuroda himself explained that the news was false and that he was dating someone else. Kuroda is expected to comment on this new relationship when he makes a public appearance at an event next month.

Kuroda married a woman 23 years younger than him in February 2007, but they divorced in August 2008. Before that, he was dating actress Yumi Adachi (28) for a few years before breaking up in 2005.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Third child for Eriko Nakamura
Tue, August 17, 2010 (8:19pm EDT)



Freelance announcer Eriko Nakamura (41) is now a mother of three. On August 9 in Paris (where she lives), she gave birth to her newest daughter.

Nakamura, who was formerly an employee of Fuji TV, has been married since 2001 to a French businessman. Their first daughter was born in 2004, followed by a son in 2007.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Another manga by "LIAR GAME" author goes live-action
Tue, August 17, 2010 (7:40pm EDT)

The mystery comedy manga "Reinoryokusha Odagiri Kyoko no Uso" is being turned into a live-action drama next season. Currently serialized in the magazine Business Jump, the manga is written by Shinobu Kaitani, whose "LIAR GAME" was adapted as a successful drama series in 2007.

The story revolves around the beautiful and brilliant psychic Kyoko Odagiri, who uses her powers to solve even the most difficult cases. One of her biggest fans, a young man named Ichiro Taniguchi, ends up working for her after he learns her big secret.

No cast announcement for the drama has been made yet. TV Asahi will premiere the show in October.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Erika Toda, Ryo Kase star in "Keizoku" sequel
Tue, August 17, 2010 (6:56pm EDT)



Erika Toda (21) and Ryo Kase (35) will co-star in a TBS drama series this fall. The show, titled "SPEC," is described as a sequel to the 1999 series "Keizoku," which starred Miki Nakatani (34) and Atsuro Watabe (42).

The full title of the new series is "Keizoku 2: SPEC ~ Keishichou Kouanbu Kouan Daigoka Mishou Jiken Tokubetsu Taisakugakari Jikenbo." Like the original series, "SPEC" will revolve around a pair of police detectives as part of a special division solving difficult cases. Toda plays the part of Touma, a woman with an IQ of 201 with a touch of sadism and an inability to "read the atmosphere" ("kuuki ga yomenai") in social situations. Her character uses little makeup, has poor posture, and is always pulling around a small suitcase with wheels. Due to a previous case, her left arm is in a sling.

Meanwhile, Kase had to shave his head for his role as Touma's partner, a fellow detective who considers her unreliable. This will be his first time in a lead role on a television series.



Other cast members include 70-year-old veteran Raita Ryu (who also appeared in "Keizoku"), Saki Fukuda (19), Yu Shirota (24), and Ryunosuke Kamiki (17). The show will be directed by Yukihiko Tsutsumi, who also handled the original series.

TBS will air "SPEC" on Friday nights at 10:00pm, starting in October.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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5,000 movie extras take part in 'Princess Toyotomi'

Wednesday 18th August, 03:00 AM JST



TOKYO —

Last Saturday and Sunday, 5,000 men braved the heat to take part as extras in the upcoming movie, “Princess Toyotomi,” which stars Haruka Ayase and Masaki Okada.

The film tells the story of a group of government auditors who find out that Osaka is operating as an independent country known as “Osaka Kingdom,” headquartered beneath the real-life Osaka castle. For the scene, filmmakers blocked off a 250-meter area surrounding the castle.

The extras will appear as an army of soldiers tasked with protecting an important object for the fictional realm.

Source: www.japantoday.com

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British singer Peter Frampton dedicates 2 songs to abductee Yokota

Wednesday 18th August, 05:21 AM JST



TOKYO —

Peter Frampton, a British rock singer who attained worldwide fame in the 1970s, has released an album with two songs dedicated to Megumi Yokota, one of the Japanese women who remain missing after being abducted to North Korea decades ago.
   
Included in the album ‘‘Thank You Mr Churchill,’’ which went on sale in April, are ‘‘Asleep At The Wheel’’ and ‘‘Suite Liberte.’’ Frampton composed them after feeling strongly shocked by a U.S. documentary film depicting Yokota’s separation from her family, according to Ward Records, the CD’s publisher in Japan.
   
Yokota was abducted from her hometown in Niigata Prefecture in 1977 when she was 13 years old. North Korea claims that Yokota committed suicide in the first half of the 1990s but Japan has called on North Korea to look into the whereabouts of her and other abductees more carefully.
   
In ‘‘Asleep At The Wheel,’’ the 60-year-old guitarist, who has a teenage daughter, expresses hope that Yokota will someday be able to be reunited with her parents. He has also named the first half of the ‘‘Suite Liberte’’ guitar instrumental ‘‘Megumi’’ in honor of the abductee.
   
‘‘I’m pleased to know that someone in a faraway country has felt that abduction is intolerable,’’ Sakie Yokota, Yokota’s mother, said. Yokota’s father, Shigeru, said he hopes that listeners will feel that his daughter must be returned to Japan soon.

Source: www.japantoday.com

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Julia Roberts Finally Lands in Japan       
August 18, 2010



Julia Roberts (42, photo) has been a Hollywood star for two decades, so it came as a surprise to many that when she landed at Narita Airport yesterday, it was her very first time in Japan. She flew in by private jet with her husband, photographer Daniel Moder (41, photo right), and was welcomed at the airport by about 300 fans. She's in Tokyo to promote her highly anticipated new movie, "Eat, Pray, Love." Roberts will attend a press conference today and the Japan premiere of the movie at the Roppongi Hills Arena tomorrow night. She is expected to stay in Japan for a few days after that. Directed by Ryan Murphy, the movie opens in Japanese theaters on September 17.

Roberts is said to be the last of the major Hollywood stars to visit Japan, and that led to rumors that she had a dislike for the country. A spokesperson said yesterday, "It was just a matter of the timing never being right. This time, her children are a little bigger and she is the star of the movie, so everything fell into place." Roberts and Moder have three children, 5-year-old twins and a son (3).

Source: www.japan-zone.com

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Macchan Gets Back to Work
  


Comedian Matsumoto Hitoshi (46) is returning to work today after his recent surgery, according to his management at Yoshimoto Creative Agency. One half of the veteran duo Downtown (profile), he has been on medical leave since the end of June and underwent surgery on his left hip joint in late July. Today, he will film an episode of the comedy show "Downtown no Gakinotsukaiya Arahende!!!" that will air on August 22. For the time being, as he is still undergoing rehabilitation, Matsumoto will not do any location shooting or indeed be on his feet for very long.

Source: www.japan-zone.com

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Aya Ueto yearns for marriage

Thursday 19th August, 03:40 AM JST



TOKYO —

Actress Ueto Aya, 24, will star in NHK’s time-traveling drama “Still Love You in 10 Years” (starts Tues Aug 31, 10 p.m.). Ueto plays a lovelorn heroine who is visited by her husband from 10 years into the future, a man she has never met.

Ueto appeared at a press conference with her costar Masaaki Uchino, 41, with whom she worked once before in 2004 in “Aim for the Ace!” IN that film, Uchino played her merciless tennis coach.

Ueto acknowledged that she had come of marrying age. “Naturally I could empathize with my character since I am now 24. And yes, I’m thinking about marriage,” she said wistfully.

Source: www.japantoday.com

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Shimizu Kentaro Arrested for 6th Time       
August 19, 2010

http://www.japan-zone.com/news/2 ... _for_6th_time.shtml

Actor Shimizu Kentaro (57) has been arrested yet again. The organized crime department of the Metropolitan Police announced yesterday that they had arrested the actor on suspicion of the use of "kakuseizai" (stimulant drugs). It is the sixth arrest for Shimizu, who was previously held on drug and reckless driving charges. His criminal record has probably only boosted his image as an on-screen gang boss, in a career that blurs the lines between fiction and reality.

Real name Sonoda Iwao, he was involved in a fatal traffic accident in 1973 and was fined for professional negligence resulting in death. His handsome looks brought him popularity on the youth TV show "Ginza Now" which led to a major hit with his debut single "Shitsuren Restaurant" in 1976. He had several more hits the following year, earning him a best newcomer award and a slot of the NHK "Kohaku Uta Gassen" New Year's Eve concert. But his career had peaked by the time he was arrested in 1983 for marijuana possession. Marriage to an American model in 1985 was followed by another drug arrest and a career move to the "V Cinema" (straight-to-video) movie business. His marriage ended in 1991 and a third drug arrest in 1994 led to an 18-month prison sentence. The following years saw another return to movies, earning him the nickname "The Emperor of V Cinema," and brief marriage to a woman 22 years younger and another spell in prison for drug use. His most recent brush with the law was in 2008 when he was arrested for an hit and run incident and received a 7-month prison sentence.

Source: www.japan-zone.com

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Total Comedy Pays Well       
August 19, 2010



We hear a lot on TV about how young comedians struggle financially before establishing their careers. But duo Total Tenbosch have a very lucrative winning streak going. The pair were announced yesterday as the winners for the fifth time in a row of the "S1 Grand Battle, Round 2", a funny video contest sponsored by Softbank Mobile and voted on by the network's mobile phone subscribers. The win landed the duo prize money of ¥10 million, bringing their total from the contest to ¥30 million, and entry to the "S1 Grand Champion" round next March.

The afro-haired tsukomi half of the duo, Fujita Kensuke (34) said he would use his share of the winnings to bring up his son to be a pro baseball player. Then again, the baby's not due to be born until October. The name Total Tenbosch is a mix of two ideas, the sci-fi movie "Total Recall" (Fujita is a fan) and the Dutch theme park Huis Ten Bosch in Kyushu, which was the suggestion of his comic partner Omura Tomohiro (35).

Source: www.japan-zone.com

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A Fresh Start for Shoken?       
August 19, 2010



The media is speculating today about a new romance for actor Hagiwara Kenichi (60). Today's issue of the women's weekly magazine "Josei Seven" claims that the actor is involved with popular "housewife model" Tomita Rika (48) and that the pair are basically co-habiting at Hagiwara's Yokohama home. He denied that they are living together, insisting that they are just good friends. But last night Tomita posted on her blog that she had just finalized her divorce from her former husband (52).

Hagiwara, popularly known by his nickname of Shoken, has had a very up and down life. He found fame as a teen rock vocalist in the mid 1960s and became a hugely popular actor in the early 1970s. A drug arrest in 1983 derailed his career for a full year, but he bounced back. There were further arrests, for a traffic accident in 2004 and attempted blackmail in 2005, which led to a suspended 18-month prison sentence and the end of his second marriage. This year, he performed in concert for the first time in seven years.

Source: www.japan-zone.com