Japanese Entertainment News & Info HERE! [part IV]

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Rie Miyazawa appears in kimono fashion show

Tuesday 31st August, 05:27 AM JST



TOKYO —

Actress Rie Miyazawa, 37, appeared at a kimono fashion design show organized by kimono manufacturer Suzunoya at the Hotel New Otani this week. The show is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and Miyazawa has been a fixture at the design show for the past 12 years. She posed in three separate kimonos of various patterns.

Last year, Miyazawa gave birth to her first daughter. Kimono designer Kiyoko Koizumi personally presented Miyazawa with a specially designed kimono in the spirit of “miyamairi” – a sort of christening of a newborn baby in Japanese tradition.

“I really appreciate this gift,” Miyazawa said. “I want to give my daughter many more beautiful things like it.”

Source: www.japantoday.com

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Yukina Kinoshita and Toshifumi Fujimoto tie the knot

Tuesday 31st August, 01:00 PM JST



TOKYO —

Actress and TV personality Yukina Kinoshita, 22, has married her comedian boyfriend Toshifumi Fujimoto, 39, tabloid media reported Tuesday.

Their romance came to light in a gossip magazine last year after the pair met on the set of their Fuji Television Network show “Quiz! Hexagon 2: Quiz Parade” (Wednesdays at 7 p.m.)  They were also spotted on a romantic date together at Disneyland in June of this year.

The couple have already registered their marriage and are expected to make a public announcement on “Quiz! Hexagon 2: Quiz Parade” on Wednesday night.

Source: www.japantoday.com

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Conductor Ozawa apologizes for planned cut in concert appearance

Wednesday 01st September, 04:00 AM JST



MATSUMOTO —

Conductor Seiji Ozawa, who in January underwent an operation for esophageal cancer, apologized Tuesday for a planned cut in the number of pieces he will conduct in September at an annual festival in Nagano Prefecture due to his back pains.
   
‘‘I’m sorry for this decision,” Ozawa, 74, told a news conference in the city of Matsumoto, where the month-long Saito Kinen Festival is underway through Sept 10. ‘‘I had thought I would be able to conduct (fully) in September.’’

In a statement posted on the website of the festival, his doctor Masato Okada of St Luke’s International Hospital said, ‘‘Mr Ozawa is suffering from significant back pain secondary to degenerative spondylosis,’’ although a medical check has detected ‘‘no residual cancer apparent’’ after the operation.
   
In the same statement, Ozawa said, ‘‘I have been strictly advised by my doctor that I must not stand on the podium at length,’’ adding that he is not fully conducting the orchestral concert program B for Sept. 5 and 6 and the program C for Sept 8 and 9.
   
He said he will be conducting the first seven-minute movement of the ‘‘String Serenade’’ by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky at the very beginning of each of the four concert days.
   
He also said Tatsuya Shimono ‘‘will take over my place to conduct’’ the festival’s Saito Kinen Orchestra for the remaining eight pieces on the two programs, including the ‘‘Symphonie Fantastique’’ by Hector Berlioz.
   
Shimono is the 40-year-old resident conductor of the Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra.
   
Ozawa resumed conducting only in late July after receiving a full-course therapy for his cancer. He said, ‘‘I hope to make full recovery by December when we (he and the Saito Kinen Orchestra) will be performing at Carnegie Hall’’ in New York.

Source: www.japantoday.com

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knotlamp guitarist leaves
Mon, August 30, 2010 (10:36am EDT)



TETSUNARI, the guitarist of rock band knotlamp, has left the group. The band announced the news on their website on Monday, explaining that TETSUNARI's departure was for personal reasons.

The band is in the middle of a tour at the moment, so naturally the sudden roster change will have an impact on the concerts. knotlamp stated that they plan to use a support member for the rest of their scheduled shows, starting with their next one on August 31.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Takashi Shimizu to head 3D jury at Venice Film Festival
Mon, August 30, 2010 (11:22am EDT)



"Ju-on" director Takashi Shimizu (38) has been appointed as a head judge at this year's Venice Film Festival, which runs from September 1 to 11. He will head the jury for the festival's 3D category, which features ten films including "Avatar" and "Alice in Wonderland." This is the second year that a 3D award will be given at Venice.

Although Japanese directors have previously been appointed as judges at Venice, this is the first time that a Japanese person has led a judging panel at any of the three top international film festivals (Venice, Cannes, Berlin).

Last year, Shimizu directed his first 3D work, "The Shock Labyrinth 3D." That film is also been specially screened at Venice this year, out of competition.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Kanjani8 to hold countdown concerts again
Mon, August 30, 2010 (5:29pm EDT)



Kanjani8 has announced that, for the second year in a row, they will be holding their own New Year countdown concerts, separate from the traditional Johnny's countdown event. Like last year, they will perform at the Kyocera Dome in Osaka on December 30-31 and January 1.

The three concerts are considered part of their nationwide tour, which kicks off on October 30. The tour includes 22 shows in 9 locations, including Tokyo Dome on December 18-19. A total attendance of about 362,500 fans is expected.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Junior Chihara to star in "Minami no Teiou" drama
Mon, August 30, 2010 (7:53pm EDT)



Comedian Junior Chihara (36) has been given his first starring role in a television drama. The show is "Shin Minami no Teiou," a live-action adaptation of the popular "Minami no Teiou" manga by Dai Tennoji and Rikiya Gou.

"Minami no Teiou" has been in publication since 1992, collected into 103 volumes so far. It has already spawned 64 films (mostly direct-to-video), starring Riki Takeuchi (46).

The story centers on the loan shark Ginjiro Manda, known as the "king" of the Minami business district in Osaka. Feared by all, the ruthless Manda charges "toichi" (10% interest every 10 days) and yet stops at nothing to collect every last yen.



Shunsuke Daito (24) plays Manda's underling. Ren Osugi (58), Hisako Manda (52), Miho Shiraishi (32), Masahiko Nishimura (49), Hidekazu Akai (51), and Shige Uchida (32) have also been cast.

"Shin Minami no Teiou" will be broadcast by Fuji TV on September 21.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Takehiro Murata causes car accident
Tue, August 31, 2010 (9:53am EDT)



Actor Takehiro Murata (50) caused a traffic accident over the weekend, it has been revealed. Although Murata was unharmed, a young man suffered minor injuries due to the incident.

Just after 8:00pm on Saturday night, Murata was driving his car in Tokyo's Setagaya ward as he headed home. At one intersection, while making a right turn, his vehicle came in contact with a motorcycle coming from the opposite direction. The rider, a male part-time worker in his 20s, was injured in his right arm.

Murata stated that he was only paying attention to the path in front of his car as he was turning, rather than carefully checking for oncoming traffic. Police are investigating further and may charge Murata with negligent driving resulting in injury.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Photos taken by Maki Horikita on exhibit
Tue, August 31, 2010 (10:52am EDT)



A collection of photographs taken by actress Maki Horikita (21) is currently on display in a major photo exhibit called "'PHOTO IS' 10,000 Nin no Shashinwa 2010," it has been learned.

Horikita took various pictures of scenery with her own camera while she was in Italy for a movie shoot. Those photographs were put together as a book, which was submitted to the exhibit for a special corner focused on photobooks. The same corner also includes a collection by model Nozomi Sasaki (22) that she took of her own dog.

The "PHOTO IS" exhibit is completely open to submissions, and all applicants get their entries displayed in at least one city as the exhibit tours the country. It is the largest exhibit of its kind in Japan, and admission is free at all of its stops.

Horikita is also featured on the exhibit's official website.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Eiichiro Funakoshi suffering from health issues
Tue, August 31, 2010 (11:16am EDT)



Actor Eiichiro Funakoshi (50) is currently on break from work for health reasons. According to Shukan Josei, Funakoshi is suffering from a condition related to his facial nerves, which appears to be a type of nerve paralysis known as Bell's palsy.

The cause of his condition is unknown, but there is a high probability that it may be due to stress. Funakoshi has been hard at work, despite two losses in his family earlier this year - his younger sister committed suicide in February, and his mother, actress Yumiko Hasegawa, died of lung cancer in July.

Funakoshi's agency said that on August 19, the actor felt discomfort in his face. He still headed to Kyoto for filming of a new episode of his drama special series "Kariya Keibu," but because his condition had not improved, he was taken to a hospital for examination. The doctor reportedly diagnosed him with Bell's palsy.

Funakoshi is currently receiving treatment, and he hopes to return to work in early September.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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"Deka Wanko" manga goes live-action
Tue, August 31, 2010 (11:43am EDT)



"Deka Wanko," a manga series by "Gokusen" creator Kozueko Morimoto, is being turned into a live-action television drama. The news is being announced in the new issue of Shueisha's magazine YOU, on sale September 1.

Started in 2008, the "Deka Wanko" manga is about a rookie detective named Ichiko Hanamori. She earned the nickname "Wanko" ("doggie") for her uncanny dog-like sense of smell, which helps her in solving unusual cases. The series is currently up to six collected volumes.

More details about the drama version may be revealed in the magazine.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Announcer Miwa Araki dating rakugo artist
Tue, August 31, 2010 (12:06pm EDT)

NHK announcer Miwa Araki (31) is reported to be in a relationship with rakugo storyteller Sanpei Hayashiya (39). Araki currently appears on popular shows such as "Test no Hanamichi" and "Iki da ne! Watashi no Tokyo Jikan," while Hayashiya has been on the rise in recent years, especially after he succeeded to the Sanpei name in the spring of 2009.

Sources say that the couple first met each other through rakugo. They have recently been introducing each other to close friends and family, and some predict that they may get married next year.

UPDATE: Hayashiya has stated that they are still just friends at this point.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Tomohiro Ichikawa to star in "Clone Baby"
Tue, August 31, 2010 (7:25pm EDT)



This fall, TBS is creating a new 30-minute time slot for dramas on Friday nights at 12:20am, called "Friday Break." The first series in that slot is tentatively titled "Clone Baby" and will star 18-year-old actor Tomohiro Ichikawa. This will be his first starring role in a drama series.

The show, which revolves around human cloning, is described as a suspense and mystery story set in a metaphorical game of "musical chairs," involving elements such as psychological warfare.

Of the nine main cast members, six were chosen through audition: Ichikawa, Tori Matsuzaka, Yukari Taki, Kento Yamazaki, Daisuke Kikuta, and Yu Inaba. The other three main cast members are Akiko Kikuchi, Honoka Miki, and Tetsuya Makita.

"Clone Baby" will premiere in October.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Yukie Nakama, Rei Dan face off in winter drama series
Tue, August 31, 2010 (7:39pm EDT)


http://asiabeam.com/images/persons/Dan,%20Rei_face.jpeg

The stars of one of Fuji TV's drama series this coming winter have already been announced. Although the show does not yet have a title, it will be led by Yukie Nakama (30) and Rei Dan (39), apparently working together for the first time. Filming already started on August 30.

The show portrays a suspenseful battle between two women. Nakama takes on the role of a mysterious "wicked woman," while Dan plays a housewife of a happy home. After the two meet, their peaceful lives become a complicated mess of both friendship and jealousy.

The series begins in January and will air in Fuji TV's Tuesday 10:00pm time slot.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Ken Hirai sings for "Ghost" remake
Tue, August 31, 2010 (7:56pm EDT)



Singer Ken Hirai (38) will be providing the theme song for the upcoming movie "Ghost: Mou Ichido Dakishimetai," set for release on November 13. This will be Hirai's fifth time doing a theme for a romance film, and the song is expected to be a hit like his previous ones.



"Ghost: Mou Ichido Dakishimetai" was announced earlier this year as an Asian remake of the famous 1990 movie "Ghost," which starred Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore. The remake, however, has the roles of the couple reversed, with Nanako Matsushima (36) playing a woman who dies in an accident but revisits her lover, played by Korean actor Song Seung Hun (33). The full cast was revealed a few weeks ago, including Kirin Kiki (67) as the counterpart to Whoopi Goldberg's role in the original.

Hirai's song is titled "Aishiteru" and will be released as his 33rd single on November 10.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Mariko Dou becoming a mother
Tue, August 31, 2010 (8:08pm EDT)

TV Asahi announcer Mariko Dou (28) has some happy news: she is currently expecting her first child. A source close to her says that she is five months pregnant, with a due date in February 2011.

Dou joined TV Asahi in 2004 and quickly became popular through her regular appearances on "Music Station" and "Yajiuma Plus." In April 2008, she got married to an employee of a major record label, whom she met through her job on "Music Station."

Dou plans on continuing with her regular TV shows as long as possible before the birth, and she expects to resume work after the child is born.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Japanese-Argentine couple win world tango championships

Wednesday 01st September, 06:04 PM JST



BUENOS AIRES —

A Japanese-Argentine couple won the stage dancing division of the Eighth World Tango Championships held Tuesday in Buenos Aires. The achievement by Japanese dancer Chizuko Kuwamoto and Diego Ortega from Argentina follows the victory in last year’s contest by Japanese married couple Hiroshi and Kyoko Yamao in the salon dancing category.
   
In this year’s competition, in which 405 pairs from 18 countries took part, another Japanese dancer, Naoko Tsutsumizaki, and her Argentine partner, Cristian Lopez, came in third in both stage and salon dancing. Finals were held Monday for the salon division and Tuesday for the stage division. Kuwamoto and Ortega currently live in Japan and teach tango lessons and hold dance shows in Tokyo, according to people close to the pair.

Source: www.japantoday.com

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Ken Watanabe to appear in Docomo ad with Darth Vader

Thursday 02nd September, 03:15 AM JST



TOKYO —

Actor Ken Watanabe, 50, is the star of a new ad campaign by NTT Docomo featuring “Star Wars” iconic character Darth Vader. The two legends appeared together at a Tokyo launch event at which a laconic Watanabe said, “This is an unusual shot.”

The news comes shortly after Watanabe surprised fans by revealing that he and his wife Kaho Minami, 46, held a wedding ceremony in Los Angeles on Aug 1. The couple registered their marriage in 2005 but did not have a wedding ceremony at the time. “It should be encouraging to women all over the world that one can wear a wedding dress at 46,” he told the press.

When asked for further details about the ceremony he said, “Lock activated. Please enter password to proceed.”

Source: www.japantoday.com

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Yasuoka Rikiya Gets Son's Liver       
September 01, 2010



Tough guy actor Yasuoka Rikiya (63) underwent a liver transplant yesterday, with the donor being his son Rikito (24). The two were taken to the operating room on the morning of August 30. About 65% of Rikito's liver was removed and transplanted to his father, who spent a total of 39 hours in surgery. Rikiya was diagnosed with a form of paralysis known as Guillain-Barré syndrome in 2006. But he made his return to work in an appearance on the TV Asahi talk show "Tetsuko no Heya" in April. He also worked on the movie "Oh! My Brother," which is due for release in November.

Rikiya made his movie debut in 1964s "Jidosha Dorobo" (The Car Thieves) and went on establish himself as Japan's most famous potrayer of hulking gangsters.

Living donor liver transplants began in Japan in the early 1990s and there are currently about 500 such procedures annually.

Source: www.japan-zone.com

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VIZ CINEMA ANNOUNCES A CLIMACTIC SUMMER ROSTER WITH SEPTEMBER FILM SCREENINGS

September 1, 2010 by J!-ENT

VIZ Cinema, the nation’s only movie theatre dedicated to Japanese film, has announced an intriguing new line-up of films and premiere events set to take place at the venue throughout the month of September.

New films for September include the third installment of the Bay Area Filmmakers Series, which presents the romantic comedy, The People I’ve Slept With, directed by Quentin Lee.

A highly anticipated screening of Death Note and Death Note II: the Last name, based on the popular manga/anime series, is next, and will also mark the release of the films in a new Blu-ray collection from VIZ Pictures.

A special screening of Satoshi Kon’s anime masterpiece Paprika is also scheduled to remember the pioneering director who recent passed away.

Marking the anniversary of 9/11, VIZ Cinema presents the 9/11 Truth Film Festival which presents several documentaries that explore the tragic events from several new points of view and trace the global impact of the World Trade Center attacks in 2001.

And finally, NEW PEOPLE gets ready to celebrate the 2010 J-Pop Summit Festival with a series of pop culture cinematic events leading up to the premiere of the raucous death metal comedy Detroit Metal City on September 18th.

Source: www.nt2099.com/J-ENT