Japanese Entertainment News & Info HERE! [part IV]

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NHK Takes Several Asian Broadcasting Awards       
October 20, 2010



Japanese producers did well at the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union awards held in Tokyo yesterday. The 47th ABU General Assembly was hosted by NHK, Japan's public broadcasting network, which took prizes in four of the 13 categories. Of the 199 nominated shows, 141 were TV programmes and 58 were radio programmes. NHK won for Children's TV (The Three Musketeers: Ep 20: The Chaotic Ball, photo above); Youth TV (Discover Science: Let’s See the Speed of Sound); Sports TV (Miracle Body: Downhill Skiing – Race Against Fear); and Radio Drama (Revival). The ABU Technical Review Prize went to Shogen Kazuyoshi of NHK's Science and Technology Research Laboratories.

Japan-based radio and television presenter Peter Barakan spoke to the assembly on Monday on the topic of introducing non-mainstream music programming. Long known for playing music from obscure artists, particularly African music, Barakan said "You have to take the public demand into consideration but you have to lead them as well." If you were too far ahead, you could lose them, so the ideal position was for the presenter to stay half a step ahead.

Source: www. japan-zone.com

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"Q10" starts strong, boosts blogs
Tue, October 19, 2010 (10:59am EDT)



The "Q10" drama series, starring Takeru Sato (21) and AKB48's Atsuko Maeda (19), got off to a good start on Saturday with ratings of 15.3% in the Kanto region. In addition, the show sparked a ton of interest in the two stars, sending a flood of visitors to their blogs.

Before last week, Sato's blog was averaging about 360,000 page views per day, but on the Monday after the premiere of "Q10," the blog recorded 1.12 million views. Maeda's blog, on the other hand, saw an increase of 1 million views, and the number of comments jumped from its daily average of 2,000 up to 20,000.

The show's official website has also been getting a lot of attention, pulling in 900,000 page views over Saturday (the day the show premiered) and Sunday.

Source: www. japan-zone.com

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Idol group Sakura Gakuin schedules debut single
Tue, October 19, 2010 (11:36am EDT)



New idol group Sakura Gakuin recently announced that they will release their debut single on December 8, titled "Yume ni Mukatte."

Managed by Amuse and signed with record label Vision Factory, the group was barely formed in April of this year. It currently consists of 10 members, ranging from 5th grade to 8th grade. The group includes Ayami Mutou and Suzuka Nakamoto (both formerly of Karen Girl's), Ayaka Miyoshi (one of the winners of this year's Miss Seventeen audition), and Aira Matsui (a fashion model for the magazine nicola).

Sakura Gakuin first performed the song "Yume ni Mukatte" at the Tokyo Idol Festival in August. The single will include two other songs, plus instrumentals for the three tracks.

Before the CD release, they will hold their first solo event, called the "Sakura Gakuin Matsuri," at Yokohama Akarenga Soko on November 28.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Susan Boyle covers Yumi Matsutoya
Tue, October 19, 2010 (6:44pm EDT)



Scottish singer Susan Boyle (49) will be covering Yumi Matsutoya (56) for the Japanese release of her upcoming album, "The Gift." Boyle will sing a version of "Hikoukigumo," the title track of Matsutoya's 1973 debut album.

Boyle previously covered Akai Tori's "Tsubasa wo Kudasai" for her debut album "I Dreamed a Dream" last year. Like "Tsubasa wo Kudasai," "Hikoukigumo" will be included only as a bonus track for the Japanese release of the album.

Japanese staff had prepared about 50 songs for Boyle to choose from, and she selected "Hikoukigumo" for its feeling of purity.

"The Gift" is being released in Japan on November 10.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Hiroshi Abe stars in "Tengoku Kara no Yell"
Tue, October 19, 2010 (8:41pm EDT)



Hiroshi Abe (46) is starring in a new movie titled "Tengoku Kara no Yell," based on the true story of an Okinawan man who opened a free music studio for the youths in his city. Mimura (26) and Nanami Sakuraba (18) will play supporting roles.



Abe takes on the part of Hikaru Oshiro, modeled after a bento shop owner named Hikaru Nakasone, whose story has previously been told through a documentary on NHK and as a published book. When Nakasone learned that a group of high school students had no place to properly practice as a band, he spent his own time and money to build a studio underneath his shop. Even after he was diagnosed with cancer, he continued supporting the dreams of the students, up until his unfortunate death last November.

Nakasone encouraged the growth of the youths who used his studio, setting three conditions in order for them to be able to use it for free - to properly do their greetings, to never get a failing grade in school, and to become a person who can understand the pain of others.

Mimura will play Oshiro's wife Michiko, and Sakuraba will play a student aiming to become a professional vocalist and guitarist. The movie will be directed by Chikato Kumazawa, and popular screenwriter Masaya Ozaki will handle the script. The movie is scheduled for release in 2011.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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"Ugly" dog Wasao to star in first film
Tue, October 19, 2010 (12:07pm EDT)



The popular dog Wasao will make his big screen debut next year, starring in a movie appropriately titled "Wasao." Yoshinari Nishikiori is directing the film, which is currently shooting with a target release date of March 5, 2011.

The 3-year-old Akita-ken has risen to fame for being so ugly that he is actually cute. He has appeared in dozens of magazines and television shows, including "Tensai! Shimura Doubutsuen," and there have also been plenty of related merchandise released.



The movie will tell the story of Wasao and his owner Setsuko Kikuya (67), who took in the dog after finding him as a stray. Wasao will naturally be playing himself, while actress Hiroko Yakushimaru (46) will play the part of Kikuya. Mitsuru Hirata (56) has also been cast.

It is reported that the film has already received multiple offers for distribution in other Asian countries.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Kengo Kora cast as Mao Inoue's husband in "Ohisama"
Tue, October 19, 2010 (7:03pm EDT)



Actor Kengo Kora (22) has been added to the cast of the next NHK morning drama "Ohisama" (March-September 2011). The show, which stars Mao Inoue (23), already had its supporting cast partly revealed at the start of this month, but Kora will be playing a significant role as Inoue's husband.

As previously described, "Ohisama" stars Inoue as a cheerful woman named Yoko living during the time of World War II. She starts out as a teacher but later marries the successor of a well-established soba shop (played by Kora), leading her to become a soba chef. Kora's character is planned to first appear in the show's 8th week, around the middle of May.

This will be Kora's first appearance in an NHK Asadora, and his first time acting with Inoue. Producers may be hoping for another success like the recent "Gegege no Nyoubou," which has tremendously boosted the popularity of its stars Nao Matsushita (25) and Osamu Mukai (28).

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Meet Atsushi Ogata — Japan's answer to Woody Allen

By Sarah Cortina



TOKYO —

Picture this: you enter a grocery store only to have an old woman tap you on the shoulder wanting to know how long the sale is on. While waiting for your friend in a theater lobby, fellow patrons keep coming over to ask where the restroom is. A bit later, you’re mistaken for an attendant and asked to escort a lost child. As you try to help the girl look for her parents, the grandmother confuses you with a kidnapper she’s seen in the paper and calls the police.

This chameleon-like ability to blend into one’s surroundings is the sort of quality that critics rave about in actors; in real life, though, it might get a bit old. But that pretty much sums up the life of Hiroshi, the main character in director Atsushi Ogata’s debut feature “Wakiyaku Monogatari “— and also, to a certain extent, that of his creator.

While Ogata has never actually been arrested for kidnapping, he says that Hiroshi’s other experiences are all too familiar. “I go to an office for a meeting, and somebody drags me to another room and is like, ‘The Xerox machine is over here.’”

And then there was that little incident on the Swiss-Austrian border. “I was at a filling station and about to get back in the car when this German guy comes up and asks me, ‘Do you work here?’ And I said, ‘Nein.’ But he was convinced that I did and he wanted me to fix his rearview mirror. I somehow got into his car, but I didn’t want him to kidnap me or anything. So I sort of sat so I could kick the door open if I had to, and I’m trying to fix his mirror, but of course I can’t. And my father’s looking over like, ‘What the hell is he doing in somebody else’s car?’”

At this point in our interview, we begin to realize that speaking with Ogata is not unlike running a marathon—after it’s all over, it’s hard to tell whether you’re more exhilarated or exhausted. “You’ve only got 30 minutes?” a mutual friend asked incredulously when we said we’d be speaking with the director. “That’s not going to be long enough. He talks a lot.”

Even in English? “Oh, he talks even faster in English.”

With its wacky cast of characters—from an amorous policewoman to a handsome-yet-dim action star—and frequent cases of mistaken identity, “Wakiyaku Monogatari” (English title: Cast Me If You Can) plays like a classic Hollywood screwball comedy. Hiroshi (Toru Masuoka, “Always 3-Chome no Yuhi”) is a middling actor constantly relegated to playing “wakiyaku,” or supporting roles. Until one day when he meets Aya (Hiromi Nagasaku, “Hito no Sex wo Warau na”), an up-and-coming actress who actually recognizes him. As the two grow closer, Hiroshi is inspired to become a true leading man, both on screen and in his own life.

It turns out that this story perfectly suits Ogata’s background and temperament. In person, the director comes across like some kind of Woody Allen-Jerry Seinfeld hybrid, a lanky Japanese man with wiry hair, a vaguely New York accent and the kind of manic energy that causes people to become things like film directors. His intellectual restlessness has taken him from Japan to the U.S., Germany and Holland while experimenting with careers from acting to video art and a fateful stint as a “scoreboard man” on a TV game show.

Growing up in Tokyo and New York, Ogata says he was a clumsy kid who tended to play hooky when there was an arts-related activity at school. But that all changed the day he received his first camera. “Suddenly, I could do anything,” he says. “It was like a natural brush for me.” He used his family’s lavatory as a darkroom and soon progressed to shooting on Super 8. Although continuing his artistic studies at Harvard University, he says he still never considered film as a career. “I graduated from school, came back to Japan and worked in a computer company—as was sort of expected—but I didn’t really like it,” he says with a shrug.

When a graphic designer friend complimented his photography, Ogata was inspired to pursue it further. He enrolled in an art and technology program at MIT and received a research assistantship working on man-machine interfaces. “But when I got there, I spent all my time making color photographs and art videos,” he recalls. “So I almost got kicked out of school and had to switch departments. I canceled my research assistantship because I thought there was no point in coming all the way to MIT to graduate school and just working like I could in Kawasaki.”

Got his big break in Holland

Ogata’s big break came in Holland, where he had gone to try his hand at writing screenplays—and where he served as the “fake scorekeeper” on a TV game show. That appearance led to a role in a student movie. “They thought I was really funny, so I managed to get [that crew] to help me with my first short film,” he says. “We had free film stock that was left over from Ocean’s 12. And then the director of photography’s friend—he’s actually one of the best focus pullers in Holland—he wanted to be a producer and he got all his friends to come in. So we had free steadicams, the best steadicam operator in Holland.”

Ogata’s early screenplays ranged from big-budget action flicks to cast-of-oddballs ensemble pieces. “But I ended up basically discovering that I need to focus on comedy,” he says. “Because I tried other genres—I tried to write a thriller, I tried to write a tragedy, and it just all turns comical.”

His debut on the international stage came with the Japanese-language short “Eternally Yours” (2006), which he calls a “battle of wits between an elderly lady and a conman.” The film was selected for MoMA and Lincoln Center’s New Directors/New Films Festival, as well as festivals in California, Bangkok and Berlin.

Sitting with the director, it’s easy to see that humor comes naturally. Even when he’s not consciously being funny, Ogata’s words come out in a flood, peppered with self-deprecating one-liners. “I’m not even trying to make people laugh, I just tell them what a bad day I had and they’re cracking up instead of saying ‘Oh, what a poor guy, sorry,’” he says.

Yet Ogata realizes that focusing on comedy is a risky move for a Japanese director—of the Japanese films that have garnered critical or commercial success overseas, very few have been comedies. The frequently heard assertion is that Japanese humor is just “different.”

Another solution, Ogata says, is to pursue themes that are “universal.” “‘Eternally Yours’ had people laughing in San Paolo, people laughing in California, New York, Bangkok—because old ladies and con men exist everywhere.” So with his first feature, the director wanted to take that sensibility even further, and a romantic comedy seemed like the natural thing to do.

Another problem, he soon discovered, was that the idea of the “romantic comedy” doesn’t exist in Japan. “When you say ‘comedy’ in Japan, people think of ‘owarai geinin.’ And if you say ‘romance,’ it’s another kind of thing. So the publicity department is having a difficult time,” he adds with a laugh.

But Ogata’s unconventional (for Japan) ideas don’t end there. Screenings of “Wakiyaku Monogatari” at the Human Trust Cinema in Yurakucho will have English subtitles—a rare occurrence even in a city with a relatively large foreign population. “It’s a chance for people who are not native Japanese speakers to be able to just go to the cinema and enjoy a Japanese film with a Western romantic sensibility, and just laugh together with a Japanese audience,” he says. “I mean, how often does this happen? And they can just go to the nearby cinema and do this. And that’s really exciting.”

With the release of “Wakiyaku” just around the corner, Ogata has gone into full-on public relations mode. “I’ve been going to parties a lot and telling people about the film,” he explains. “They say ‘Oh yes, I’ll definitely come!’ So I pull these out and say, ‘Well, I have some tickets right here, do you want to buy one?’ The first time, I sold 12 tickets in 20 minutes. People ask, ‘What are you doing? You’re the director!’ I just think, ‘Well why not?’”

“Wakiyaku Monogatari” opens Oct 23. Screenings with English subtitles at Human Trust Cinema Yurakucho: 2-7-1 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku. Tel: 03-6259-8608. Nearest station: Yurakucho, Ginza exit.

This story originally appeared in Metropolis magazine (www.metropolis.co.jp)

Source: www.japantoday.com

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Actress-producer Teruko Nagaoka dies at 102

Thursday 21st October, 01:55 AM JST

TOKYO —

Actress Teruko Nagaoka, who was also known as a pioneering female drama producer, died of natural causes in Tokyo on Monday, people who worked with her said Wednesday. She was 102.

A native of Morioka, Iwate Prefecture, Nagaoka, whose real name is Teruko Shinohara, studied drama in Paris before World War II and established a theatrical group after returning to Japan, at which she produced and played a role in modern French plays. After joining Bungakuza, one of the biggest theatrical troupes in Japan, in 1939, she produced Western contemporary dramas as well as Japanese works by such writers as Tadasu Iizawa and Yukio Mishima.

Source: www.japantoday.com

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Haruka Ayase launches KFC Christmas campaign

Thursday 21st October, 03:00 AM JST



TOKYO —

Actress Haruka Ayase, 25, this week launched a new KFC Christmas ad campaign at their Ebisu headquarters. The “Ayase Santa” ads feature Ayase’s first wire work. “It was really fun,” she said of the shoot. “I’ve become a fan of wire work.”

Talking about the making of the ads she said, “We were shooting with kids, so I’d play games with them to keep their energy levels up.”

When asked who she was going to spend Christmas with, the actress answered simply, “I’ll be working.”

Source: www.japantoday.com

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Media in a Fuss Again Over Erika       
October 21, 2010



Actress Sawajiri Erika (24) is once again doing what she does best - getting the media excited and confused. It's been several months since the media started speculating about her imminent divorce from hypermedia creator Takashiro Tsuyoshi (46). Sawajiri's attitude and comments seemed to suggest that she had decided to formalize the split. But the couple were spotted together yesterday at Taoyuan International Airport in Taiwan. Sawajiri was there for a cosmetics company PR event but canceled at the last minute claiming she had a high fever. The Sankei Shimbun newspaper speculated today that the trip might have been an attempt at reconciliation by the couple. If it turns out that the trip is being used for private reasons at the expense of prior professional commitments, it could have a serious impact on her already poor image in the entertainment industry.

Once considered one of the most promising young actresses in Japan, Sawajiri seemed to have given it all up as her behavior became increasingly erratic after a famously moody PR appearance in 2007. Her marriage to the much older Takashiro took people by surprise, as did their decision to spend most of their time overseas (photo above). When Sawajiri finally made the move back to Japan earlier this year, pundits wondered whether the industry would even want her back, though she still had a loyal young female fan base. It seemed she had made a breakthrough when she started negotiations with the major Avex management company. But Sawajiri's divorce is also said to have been one of the prerequisites of the contract, and negotiations are now reportedly stalled as the company has not been able to reach her since the beginning of this month.

Talking to reporters camped outside the family's Tokyo home, Sawajiri's mother denied that her daughter had been avoiding her responsibilities, adding that she spent some time in hospital last month and has recently been resting quietly.

Source: www.japan-zone.com

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Charts: GLAY, BUMP OF CHICKEN
Wed, October 20, 2010 (3:34pm EDT)



Rock band GLAY took #1 on the charts this week with their self-titled album "GLAY," selling 94,000 copies. This is the band's first original album since launching their own label in June.

Kumi Koda ranked 3rd with her latest release, followed by Watarirouka Hashiritai's first album at #4. Miyuki Nakajima and BUCK-TICK ranked #5 and #6, respectively.



On the singles chart, BUMP OF CHICKEN ranked #1 with "Uchuu Hikoshi e no Tegami / Motorcycle," selling 93,000 copies. They now have a streak of 3 consecutive number-ones for the first time.

The rest of the top ten singles included new songs by fripSide (#4), Aqua Timez (#5), Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi (#6), Ken Hirai (#7), GIRL NEXT DOOR (#8), and Mana Ogawa and Risako Sugaya (#10).



On the DVD charts, the special edition of the second "Nodame Cantabile" movie sold 9,000 copies in its second week, ranking #1 overall. This is the first time that a DVD from the live-action series has ranked #1.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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GO!GO!7188 bassist expecting child
Wed, October 20, 2010 (9:33pm EDT)



Akko, the bassist of rock band GO!GO!7188, has announced on the group's official website that she is five months pregnant. Akko previously announced her marriage in October 2006.

She indicated that the three members of the band will be focusing on solo projects until she gives birth. In the past, Akko has released music under her own name, Akiko Noma, while vocalist and guitarist Yuu has done solo work in addition to her other band, Chirinuruwowaka. Drummer Turkey has worked as both a studio musician and live musician for other artists.

It was also recently announced that GO!GO!7188's next live DVD will have a special release event on Ustream on October 29 at 7:30pm.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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exist trace to perform at Sakura-Con 2011
Wed, October 20, 2010 (9:09pm EDT)



The all-female visual-kei band exist†trace has been announced as the first musical guest of Sakura-Con 2011. This will be the band's first U.S. appearance.

Sakura-Con 2011 will be held in Seattle, Washington, on April 22-24, 2011. More information about the convention can be found on the official website.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Universal, Illumination planning film adaptation of Naoki Urasawa's "Pluto"
Wed, October 20, 2010 (4:03pm EDT)



Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment have picked up the rights for a live-action/CG film adaptation of Naoki Urasawa's award-winning manga "Pluto," it has been learned.

Serialized from 2003 to 2009, "Pluto" is a re-imagining of the world of Osamu Tezuka's "Astro Boy," focusing on a story arc involving a robot responsible for a series of murders.

Urasawa is also the author of the popular manga "20th Century Boys," which was adapted as a successful trilogy of films in Japan. New Line Cinema acquired the rights to Urasawa's "Monster" in 2005 but has not yet released a film.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Eita, Kenichi Matsuyama star in train otaku movie
Wed, October 20, 2010 (6:03pm EDT)



Eita (27) and Kenichi Matsuyama (25) will co-star as a pair of railroad otaku in a new movie titled "Bokutachi Kyuukou ~A Ressha de Ikou~," directed by Yoshimitsu Morita ("Kazoku Game," "Shitsurakuen").

Morita, who has liked trains since he was a child, has apparently been brewing the script for decades. The story depicts the bond between two railroad enthusiasts who meet while riding the same train.

True to his passion, Morita plans for more than 80 varieties of trains to appear in the film, likely setting a record for a Japanese film. In addition, the characters in the movie have all been given names such as Komachi and Azusa, which are names of existing trains.



The supporting cast includes Keiko Matsuzaka (58) and Shihori Kanjiya (24). Filming wrapped up earlier this week, and the finished work is expected to be released in fall 2011.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Becky attends Suntory cocktail contest awards ceremony

Friday 22nd October, 03:50 AM JST



TOKYO —

TV celebrity Becky, 26, was the guest of honor at this week’s Suntory Cocktail Awards. Twenty-four cocktails were chosen for the final round of judging. In the spirit of the Japan-themed occasion, which featured only Japanese brands of alcohol, Becky attended the ceremony in traditional Japanese dress.  

The top prize went to a green, lime-flavored creation called “Green Echo Retreat.” Sampling the drink, Becky said, “Both the name and the flavor are nice. Is it OK to enjoy your job this much?”

When asked what she thought of going on a cocktail date with a special someone, she replied, “If that ever happens, I’m sure you’ll get to write a story about it.”

Source: www.japantoday.com

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Second child for Miyavi, melody
Thu, October 21, 2010 (9:39am EDT)



Rock artist Miyavi announced on his official Twitter account that his second child was born on Thursday morning, much earlier than expected. This is his second daughter.

Miyavi has been married to former singer melody. since April 2009, and their first daughter was born in July 2009.

Miyavi just released his latest album "WHAT'S MY NAME?" on October 13. It is his first one since changing record labels to EMI Music.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Sei Matobu to leave Takarazuka in April
Thu, October 21, 2010 (10:00am EDT)



Sei Matobu, the current otokoyaku of the Takarazuka Revue's Flower Troupe, held a press conference on Thursday to announce her retirement from the troupe. She will officially graduate in April 2011.

Matobu said that she began seriously thinking about her retirement about one year ago. She informed her fellow actresses of her decision just a few days ago, after the final performances of the Flower Troupe's latest productions, "Sabrina" and "Exciter!!"

Matobu joined the Takarazuka in 1995 and made her stage debut the same year. She was originally assigned to the Star Troupe, but later transferred to the Flower Troupe in 2005. She was appointed as a top star of the troupe in 2007, succeeding Sumire Haruno.

Her final performance with the Takarazuka will be on April 24, 2011, at the end of the run of "Ai no Prelude" and "Le Paradis!!"

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Chidori's Daigo now a father
Thu, October 21, 2010 (10:12am EDT)

Comedian Daigo (30), one half of the duo Chidori, has just become a father. His management office issued a fax to the media informing them that Daigo's wife gave birth to a daughter shortly after noon on Thursday.

Daigo has been married since February of this year to a former cafe employee. His comedy partner Nobu (30), who got married in 2008, also became a father just last month.

Source: www.tokyograph.com