Japanese Entertainment News & Info HERE! [part IV]

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Seventeen reveals newest models
Wed, August 18, 2010 (8:56am EDT)

Fashion magazine SEVENTEEN held a special summer event for its readers on Wednesday at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo. During the event, SEVENTEEN unveiled the five young winners of its Miss Seventeen 2010 audition: Nanami Abe (14), Shiori Kitayama (15), Mami Nishino (13), Ayaka Miyoshi (14), and Aoi Morikawa (15).

All five of them, currently junior high students, were chosen from a total of 5,575 applicants. During the event, they made their first runway appearances as SEVENTEEN models, in front of an estimated crowd of 3,000 junior high and high school students.

Lots of celebrities also showed up for the event, including Mirei Kiritani, Aya Omasa, Erena Mizusawa, Emi Takei, Yusuke Yamamoto, Junpei Mizobata, Shohei Miura, and AKB48.

Oricon has a photo gallery of the event.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Fuji TV cancels show over injured comedians
Wed, August 18, 2010 (9:46am EDT)

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Comedian Hiroaki Matsuda (33), of the duo Hiking Walking, was injured while taping a special episode of Fuji TV's variety program "Orewan," it has been learned. Matsuda is the third celebrity to suffer an injury on the show, leading Fuji TV to announce that it is canceling the episode's scheduled broadcast on August 22.

The show involved a game in which contestants used a cushion as a sled, then launched off a ramp attempting to land onto a polystyrene "island" in the middle of a pool. During a taping on July 26, Matsuda's attempt resulted in a broken left rib, which will take approximately 3-4 weeks to heal.

The same game has already resulted in two other injuries on separate days of filming. Hiroyuki Sugiyama (32) of Wagaya broke his shoulder, and Tomonori Jinnai (36) cracked a rib.

"Orewan" originally aired from October 2009 to March 2010. It has already had three special episodes before this.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Charts: Arashi, Masaharu Fukuyama
Wed, August 18, 2010 (10:15am EDT)



Arashi's new album "Boku no Miteiru Fuukei" hung onto its #1 spot for a second week. After selling 731,000 copies in its first week, it added another 125,000 copies this past week, moving it closer to the inevitable million mark. This is actually the first time that an original album by Arashi has topped the charts in back-to-back weeks.

SCANDAL's new album took the #3 spot on the sales rankings, while Cocco entered at #5. Fresh releases from Crazy Ken Band and HY occupied the last two spots on the top ten.



On the singles chart, Masaharu Fukuyama led the way with the double A-side "Hotaru / Shonen," selling 158,000 copies. This is his 12th #1 single, and according to Oricon, this ties him with Hikaru Utada for the record of most #1 singles by a singer-songwriter.

Perfume's "VOICE" ranked at #2 for the week, followed by T.M.Revolution. Korean girl group KARA made it to #5, marking the first time that a foreign female group has entered the top ten with a debut single (in Japan) since The Nolans did it in 1980.

The other new singles in the top ten were from TOKIO (at #6) and Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi (at #10).



In DVD sales, the new concert DVD from the KinKi Kids sold 101,000 copies to top the overall rankings. With a current total of 8 number-one DVDs, they are now also tied with Utada for the record.

Another impressive DVD release came from Korean artists Girls' Generation (also known as So Nyeo Shi Dae, or SNSD). Their first Japanese release sold 23,000 copies, reaching #4 on the overall rankings. They are the first Korean girl group to enter the Top 5, and the first female Korean artist since BoA did it more than 7 years ago.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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"Vitamin X" adapted to the stage
Wed, August 18, 2010 (11:17am EDT)



The popular female-oriented dating sim "Vitamin X" is being turned into a theatrical play, starring Kentaro Kanesaki (26) and Kosei Amano (32). A total of 13 performances have been scheduled from September 26 to October 4 at the Zenshinza in Musashino, Tokyo.

The play is titled "Gekidan Vitamin X ~ Legend of Vitamin." Inspired by the game series (which gets its newest installment next month for the PSP), it revolves around a group of six handsome high school boys known as "B6," but the play will use an original story.

In the play, a fancy cruise ship sank 100 years ago, leaving behind a legend about an emerald with special powers. In fact, that emerald somehow brings the B6 boys back in time to the ship, where they meet the young girl who possessed the gem. They end up having to protect the girl from a villain trying to steal the emerald, while also dealing with a group of male teacher known as T6 who also came through the time slip.

In addition to Kanesaki and Amano, the B6 cast features Ryuko Isogai, Hiroki Suzuki, Koji Watanabe, and Mitsuaki Nishimura. The T6 members will be played by Takashi Hagino, Tsunekichi Takaoka, Tomohiko Suto, Kyohei Shimozuka, Takehiko Higuchi, and Teru Uesugi. Also part of the cast are Toru Nakajima, Shun Takagi, Ryosuke Kawamura, and Hiroshi Ogawa.

More information can be found on the play's website.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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New romance rumor for Ryoko Hirosue
Wed, August 18, 2010 (7:06pm EDT)



The latest issue of Josei Seven includes a rumor that actress Ryoko Hirosue (30) has a new boyfriend. This past Sunday, she was seen on the campus of Hokkaido University, apparently on a date with candle artist Candle JUNE.

According to the magazine, Candle JUNE's Tokyo store is near Hirosue's home, so they happened to meet and gradually became closer. Hirosue was also seen at one of the artist's events this past spring.

Hirosue's agency was unable to comment, saying that it does not know the details about her private life. Before this, Hirosue was rumored to be in a serious relationship with actor Masaru Nagai (32), but they seem to have broken up around the start of this year. Neither of their agencies ever confirmed that relationship.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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"Iryu 3" confirmed for next season
Wed, August 18, 2010 (6:24pm EDT)



A third season of Fuji TV's popular drama series "Iryu" has been confirmed. "Iryu Team Medical Dragon 3" will again star Kenji Sakaguchi (34) as a brilliant surgeon. Izumi Inamori (38), who only appeared in the first series, and WaT member Teppei Koike (24) have been confirmed as returning cast members, while Kenichi Endo (49) and Mitsuki Tanimura (20) are joining as new characters.



Adapted from the manga of the same name by Akira Nagai and Taro Nogizaka, the first "Iryu" series aired in 2006 and averaged 14.8% ratings, with a peak of 17.2%. The second series in 2007 fared even better, averaging 17.2% and reaching as high as 21.0%.

In the new series, Endo will play a rival doctor to Sakaguchi's character. Tanimura has been cast as a medical intern.

"Iryu 3" will air in the same Thursday 10:00pm time slot, starting in October.



UPDATE: Sadao Abe, Tetsuhiro Ikeda, Kuranosuke Sasaki, Mari Natsuki, and Ittoku Kishibe have also been confirmed as returning cast members.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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No End to X Japan's Money Problems       
August 20, 2010



Financial troubles never seem to be too far from Japan's biggest rock band. Japan Music Agency, who manage X Japan leader Yoshiki, revealed to the media yesterday that they are being asked to pay ¥2 billion for the use of images of the band's late guitarist Hide. JMA have said that, depending on how things play out, they may take the matter to court. The wrangling over money is just the latest of many that have plagued the group since it achieved commercial success.

Headworks Organization is the company that represents the estate of Hide, who died under controversial circumstances in 1998. The firm is run by his brother Matsumoto Hiroshi (42), who seemed to be on good terms with the rest of the band during a memorial service for Hide held in May. During last week's two concerts in Yokohama, Hide's image was used on stage as it has been at all the band's shows since their reunion in 2008. But the money problems began some time ago.

When X Japan reunited in 2008, they signed a ¥600 million contract with music production company Nexstar Corporation, who put on the band's concerts. The deal included the use of some recordings, advance royalties and contract money. Nexstar reportedly made some ¥2.5 billion from concert ticket and merchandise sales over the following two years. But JMA never saw the money, and Yoshiki filed a lawsuit with the Tokyo District Court against Nexstar back in March seeking ¥375 million in damages. Headworks has reportedly received ¥300 million from Nexstar, and they have now instructed JMA to pay ¥2 billion to Nexstar or no longer be allowed to use Hide's image.

The tangled financial web will hopefully not hinder the band's upcoming assault on North America, with a concert tour due to start in September. As Yoshiki said, "I think the one who is suffering most in this is Hide. But with or without his image, we are still spreading our wings together."

Source: www.japan-zone.com

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Shinohara Ryoko's Bittersweet Farewell to Father       
August 20, 2010



The father of actress Shinohara Ryoko (37, photo left) died just three days after finally seeing his daughter in her wedding dress, it was revealed yesterday. Shinohara Katsuo died on August 17 at a Gunma Prefecture hospital were he had been undergoing treatment for a liver ailment for more than a year. He was 71. On Saturday he was allowed to leave the hospital in a wheelchair to attend a reception held by his daughter and her husband, actor Ichimura Masachika (61, photo right). The couple married five years ago but never held a wedding ceremony.

The father of the "bride" was in tears Saturday when he saw his daughter wearing a white wedding dress. His condition worsened during the event and he left the room. The event was about to be brought to an early close when it was realized they hadn't had the traditional reading of a letter from the bride to her parents. Katsuo returned for one more emotional scene before he was taken back to the hospital. Ryoko attended his wake and funeral but was too overcome with shock to speak with anyone. She is the youngest of three children and she says she in particular was spoiled by her father. Her mother died in a traffic accident when she was two years old. Her father initially objected strongly to her relationship with the divorced and much older Ichimura. But in the end it was he who persuaded her to hold a press conference to announce their marriage in December 2005.

Source: www.japan-zone.com

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Tokyo International Players Second Stage presents 'Greater Tuna'



TOKYO —

Tokyo International Players, Japan’s oldest English-language community theater group, will perform “Greater Tuna” in September. The play premiered in 1982 and has become one of the most widely-produced plays in the United States.

An uproarious satire on rural American mores, the play is set in Texas’ third-smallest town—where the Lion’s Club is too liberal and Patsy Cline never dies. The wacky backwater characters, who number 20 in total, are portrayed on the stage by just two actors, making this quick-change comedy even more fascinating and funny. “Greater Tuna” has to be seen to be believed!

Last year, TIP Second Stage produced “Greater Tuna” in its intimate, black box space to
tremendous audience response. This encore production features Bob Werley reprising his
roles, joined by TIP veteran Charlie Lent. Andrew Martinez is returning as director.  

“‘Greater Tuna’ is such a hilarious show I felt Tokyoites deserved another chance to see it,” said Martinez. “This time around, I cast the show as it was originally performed, with two males playing 10 roles each. It adds another dimension with a more diversified chemistry.”

“Greater Tuna” will be staged Sept 3, 4, 5 & 10, 11, 12 at Our Space Theater. All shows start at 7 p.m. Reserved tickets cost 2,000 yen; tickets at the door are 2,500 yen. Admission includes one free drink.

Now in its 114th season, TIP is Japan’s oldest English-language community theater
group.

Reservations can be made by sending an e-mail to [email protected] with
date of the show and number of tickets required. Visit the Greater Tuna Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=109937582394177

The venue, Our Space, is located off the north side of Koshu Kaido street, a three-minute
walk from Hatagaya Station, or a five-minute taxi from Shinjuku Station’s south exit.

Win a pair of free tickets

Tokyo International Players Second Stage is giving away a free pair of tickets to Japan Today readers to see “Greater Tuna.” To enter, send an e-mail to [email protected] with “Greater Tuna” in the subject line. Thursday, Sept 2 at 6 p.m. is the deadline. Include your name and telephone number in the body of the message. Entrants must be over 16 years of age. Please specify your preferred performance date. Winners will be notified by e-mail.

Source: www.japantoday.com

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New mom Asaka Seto gets back to work

Saturday 21st August, 03:38 AM JST



TOKYO —

Actress Asaka Seto, 33, who gave birth to her first child in March, returned to work this week by attending a product launch for the fashion brand Reflect.

In 2007, Seto married Yoshihiko Inohara, 34, from boy band V6, and took maternity leave from her TBS TV drama, “The Grass is Always Greener,” in September of last year after the couple announced that they were expecting their first child.

At a press conference, Seto said of becoming a mother: “I was nervous beforehand, but it has been fun.” She then showed off her still-slender figure and announced, “I’ve been dieting.”

Source: www.japantoday.com

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Ghibli to remove Totoro from nuclear power PR facility

Saturday 21st August, 03:49 PM JST



FUKUSHIMA —

Studio Ghibli Inc has decided to remove a shop selling goods depicting Totoro and its other popular characters from a public relations facility promoting the safety of nuclear power plants in Fukushima Prefecture following criticism.
   
The animation studio led by director Hayao Miyazaki is known for producing animated films centered on concerns about human impacts on the environment including ‘‘Tonari no Totoro’’ (My Neighbor Totoro) and ‘‘Kaze no Tani no Nausicaa’’ (Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind).
   
Studio Ghibli President Koji Hoshino apologized in a statement on the company’s website, stating that it was an ‘‘unwise move which could cause misunderstandings.’‘
   
The statement said that the company will close the shop ‘‘Donguri Kyowakoku’’ (Acorn Republic) which opened in 2005 in the town of Tomioka inside the PR facility of Fukushima No. 2 nuclear power plant.
   
Criticism has been posted on the Internet questioning if it is suitable for Ghibli characters to be used for promotion of nuclear power and according to Ghibli the studio has also received calls and e-mail messages.
  
Public relation officials of the power station operated by Tokyo Electric Power Co said the company which operates ‘‘Donguri Kyowakoku’’ has expressed its intention to remove the shop but the utility firm hopes to continue negotiations.
   
Annually, about 80,000 people visit the PR facility, which opened in 1988.

Source: www.japantoday.com

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Ayumi Hamasaki to release back-to-back singles

Sunday 22nd August, 04:09 AM JST



TOKYO —

Pop singer Ayumi Hamasaki, 31, will release back-to-back singles over two weeks in September, according to a source involved in the production. The first song, titled “Crossroad,” is set for release on Sept 22, with “L” following it a week later on Sept 29. They will be her 49th and 50th original songs.

The source said that the goal is for the second song to ride on the success of the first, thus pushing Hamasaki into record-setting territory. If both songs reach number one on the Oricon pop charts, Hamasaki will become the first artist on her label in 22 years to record 24 number one hits in a row.

Source: www.japantoday.com

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Showbiz reporter Nashimoto dies of lung cancer at 65

Monday 23rd August, 04:10 AM JST



TOKYO —

Masaru Nashimoto, a trailblazer in Japan in the field of entertainment reporting, died Saturday in a Tokyo hospital of lung cancer, his office said Monday. He was 65. Born in Tokyo, Nashimoto started his career as a reporter hunting for celebrity gossip and scandals in 1976 when he got a job as a reporter for a TV Asahi tabloid show, switching from his previous job as a magazine reporter.
   
He eventually became a popular TV figure, using his trademark phrase ‘‘kyoshuku desu’’ (sorry to bother you) when aggressively chasing celebrities. His appearances on TV were reduced in recent years after he criticized a TV station’s self-imposed ban on covering news involving certain celebrities, but Nashimoto continued reporting, setting up an Internet site for mobile phone users.

Source: www.japantoday.com

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SMAP's Kusanagi, Nakama, Ichiro to appear in drama

Monday 23rd August, 05:46 AM JST



SMAP singer Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, 36, and actress Yukie Nakama, 30, will debut in a TBS drama set in the 1960s, called “99-year love: Japanese-Americans.” Seattle Mariners player Ichiro will also make a cameo appearance as a baseball player in the drama, appearing in real-life footage of a player at bat.

The drama tells the story of a Japanese family that immigrated to the United States 99 years prior to the story. Kusanagi will play a second-generation Japanese-American as well as, with the help of prosthetics, that character’s father. Nakama appears as Kusanagi’s wife in the drama.

The story deals with issues of racism. According to producers, they decided to add footage of Ichiro “because he is an example of a man that transcends racial stereotypes, to contrast the content of the show.”

The drama will begin on Nov 3, at 9 p.m., and will air in five 2-hour segments.

Kusanagi said: “I really hope this drama strikes a chord with not only Japanese viewers, but American viewers as well.”

“I feel like I’ve really accomplished something landing this part,” Nakama added. The mini-series co-stars Kiichi Nakai, Pinko Oizumi and Keiko Kishi.

Source: www.japantoday.com

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NAKED BOYZ unit launches
Thu, August 19, 2010 (8:53am EDT)

On Thursday, Japan witnessed the birth of its biggest "ikemen actor" group. Dubbed the NAKED BOYZ, the 44-member unit is being described as the male version of AKB48, though they still have yet to prove their popularity. The members were revealed at Thursday's debut event, and talento Ai Haruna (38) showed up to cheer them on.

The 44 members, ranging in age from 16 to 30, were chosen through an audition. They will base their activities at Shinjuku FACE, where they plan to put on several performances every year. Their first major performance there will be held on November 5.

The group's website launched on Wednesday.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Takarazuka to adapt "Mei-chan no Shitsuji"
Thu, August 19, 2010 (9:54am EDT)



Riko Miyagi's popular manga series "Mei-chan no Shitsuji" is going to be adapted as a stage musical next year, performed by the all-female Takarazuka Revue. Yuzuru Kurenai, the current otokoyaku of the Star Troupe, will play the lead role.

Akiko Kodama will write the script and direct. The musical's working title at the moment is "Mei-chan no Shitsuji -Watakushi no Inochi ni Kaete Omamori Itashimasu-." More details about the story and cast will be announced in future issues of Shueisha's magazine Margaret, in which the manga is serialized.

The original manga tells the story of an ordinary girl who suddenly ends up at an extremely wealthy all-girls school where every student has a personal butler. It was turned into a live-action series on Fuji TV last year, starring Nana Eikura (22) and Hiro Mizushima (26).

The Takarazuka version will be performed from January 29 to February 8 in the city of Takarazuka, Hyogo, then from February 15 to February 21 in Shinjuku, Tokyo.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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First child for Rimi Natsukawa
Sat, August 21, 2010 (1:02am EDT)



Singer Rimi Natsukawa (36) became a mother on Friday afternoon. She gave birth to a healthy baby boy, weighing 3,266 grams.

Natsukawa got married on New Year's Day in 2009 to percussionist Masaaki Tamaki (43). This past January, she announced that she was pregnant.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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New girl group aims to be ideal daughters
Sat, August 21, 2010 (1:40am EDT)

On Friday, a new girl group was unveiled at an event in Hamamatsucho: the 11-member Tokyo Cheer(2) Party (read as "Tokyo Cheer Cheer Party"). The group consists of 10 girls selected through an audition, plus teen actress Ayame Koike (15). The concept behind the group is summed up as "fathers' ideal daughters."

533 girls from 6th grade to 12th grade participated in the audition. The 10 winners were said to be chosen for their innocent image, energy, and feelings of gratitude towards their fathers. Koike, who has appeared in films such as "Always: Zoku Sanchome no Yuhi" and "Sakuran," was added separately, as the group is a collaboration between her agency Office JR, music production company Central Music, and Nippon Cultural Broadcasting. However, the unit's lineup will change over time, much like other girl groups.

To maintain their image of "ideal daughters," the group will ban things such as miniskirts and dyed hair.

"Tokyo Cheer(2) Party" plans to make its singing debut this fall. On November 3, they will perform their first song at another event in Hamamatsucho.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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KREVA cancels performance due to back pains
Sat, August 21, 2010 (2:24am EDT)



On Friday, hip-hop artist KREVA (34) was forced to suddenly cancel an appearance at an event at Zepp Sendai due to health reasons. He is said to have a herniated lumbar disc and will require time to rest.

On Wednesday, his back pains got worse, and although he received medical treatment, it was difficult for him to even sit down. His doctor advised him to rest, forcing him to cancel his performance in Sendai.

It is not yet known when KREVA plans to resume activities.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Space Shower TV launches new live event
Sat, August 21, 2010 (2:38am EDT)

Music channel SPACE SHOWER TV is launching a new live concert event, dubbed SPACE SHOWER THE WORLD. The event's start celebrates the 15th anniversary of the channel's annual SWEET LOVE SHOWER event, as well as the 10th anniversary of the similar SPACE SHOWER RETSUDEN event.

The first SPACE SHOWER THE WORLD will be held in Osaka on November 3 and in Tokyo on November 6. Tickets are already going on sale on August 21, though the lineup will be announced in the near future on the event's official website.

Source: www.tokyograph.com