Japanese Entertainment News & Info HERE! [part IV]

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Mirai Shida, Haruna Kawaguchi co-star in mobile drama
Thu, October 21, 2010 (10:41am EDT)

  

The 18th LISMO drama series has been decided. Titled "Koiiro Waltz," the show will co-star Mirai Shida (17) and Haruna Kawaguchi (15). Although they belong to the same agency, this is their first time acting together.

Shida has established herself as a talented actress in both television and film, and she recently played the lead voice in Studio Ghibli's animated film "Karigurashi no Arrietty." However, she commented that "Koiiro Waltz" was a new experience for her, due to it being a drama for mobile phones. Because of the smaller screen size, there were many times when both actresses had to bring their faces very close together to appear on screen at the same time. As a result, Shida laughingly said she realized just how pretty Kawaguchi's skin and eyes are.

Shida and Kawaguchi play two high school classmates named Natsu and Aki. As part of their school's theater club, they perform a play about a love triangle with one of their male classmates, but the love triangle ultimately spills over into their real lives.

"GANTZ" director Shinsuke Sato is directing the drama, consisting of four 5-minute episodes. The drama will begin distribution on the LISMO Channel on November 5, with one episode released every Friday.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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EMI Music plans same-day live CD release for rock event
Thu, October 21, 2010 (11:21am EDT)

Major record label EMI Music is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and it recently announced a special project for its upcoming EMI ROCKS event (Saitama Super Arena, November 6). The event will be the first in Japan to incorporate the "Abbey Road Live Here Now" system, which allows for studio quality CDs to be produced instantly for live performances.

At EMI ROCKS, the label plans to produce a compilation CD titled "EMI ROCKS 20101106 Saitama Super Arena," containing 11 songs, 1 from each of the main artists performing at the event. The tracklist has not yet been decided and will depend on the songs performed at the event. The artists involved are ACIDMAN, 9mm Parabellum Bullet, Ryujin Kiyoshi, Straightener, Tokyo Jihen, HIFANA, Fire Ball, Base Ball Bear, MASS OF THE FERMENTING DREGS, Miyavi, and Kazuya Yoshii.

The CDs will go on sale at the venue after the event ends, priced at 3,000 yen. The next day, those who purchased the CDs will be able to visit the event's website and print out the tracklist, as well as the CD's cover jacket.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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"Kokou no Mesu" wins audience award at Chinese film fest
Thu, October 21, 2010 (11:42am EDT)



Director Izuru Narushima's film "Kokou no Mesu," starring Shinichi Tsutsumi (46), has won the audience-voted award for Best Foreign Film at the 19th Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival, held in China. The last Japanese film to win the award was "Okuribito" in 2008.

"Kokou no Mesu," also known by the English title "A Lone Scalpel," is based on a novel written by a real doctor. Tsutsumi stars as a man motivated to become a doctor after his mother dies due to a faulty diagnosis. While battling the flaws of the medical system, he is faced with the challenge of performing Japan's first liver transplant from a brain-dead donor.

The movie opened in Japanese theater this past June and is scheduled for DVD release on December 3.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Rola Chen to debut as singer with Agnes Chan cover
Thu, October 21, 2010 (1:05pm EDT)

Talento and gravure idol Rola Chen (23) will soon make her debut as a singer. On November 25, she will release a cover of Agnes Chan's 1972 hit song "Hinageshi no Hana." Chan herself was also involved on the project, serving as Chen's producer.

Like Chan, Chen is also Chinese, though she is originally from Hangzhou while Chan is from Hong Kong. When Chen's singing debut was decided, she wrote a letter to Chan, who has been very successful in Japan, and requested permission to cover "Hinageshi no Hana." The singer agreed and even worked with Chen as a vocal coach.

Chen made her show business debut in Japan in 2007 and has appeared in dozens of television shows and magazines. She also had a supporting acting role in the 2008 drama series "OL Nippon."

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Osamu Mukai returns to Cambodia for first starring film role
Thu, October 21, 2010 (8:01pm EDT)



Popular actor Osamu Mukai (28) has landed his first starring role in a movie, scheduled for release in fall 2011. The movie is being directed by Kenta Fukasaku and is titled "Bokutachi wa Sekai wo Kaeru Koto ga Dekinai."

The film is based on a book of the same name by 26-year-old Kota Hada. As a student at Nippon Medical School, Hada published the book on his own in March 2008, writing about his own experience of funding the creation of a school in rural Cambodia, and volunteering in that country.

When producers decided the cast for the film, one of the reasons they chose Mukai was his connection to the country. Shortly after his acting debut, Mukai appeared on the documentary show "Sekai Ururun Taizaiki" in 2007, for which he spent a memorable week living in Cambodia, where his experiences included helping a family that wanted to turn a dangerous minefield into a mango field. In his own blog profile, he referred to them as his "precious second family."

In the movie, Mukai

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D?DATE unveils first single
Thu, October 21, 2010 (8:19pm EDT)

Last month, the D-BOYS sub-unit D?DATE revealed their plans to make their CD debut by the end of this year. It has now been announced that their first single will be titled "Ato 1cm no Mirai" and is scheduled for release on December 1. The group appeared at the Shibuya 109 building on Thursday to talk about their debut.

D?DATE consists of D-BOYS members Koji Seto (22), Yuichi Nakamura (22), Shunji Igarashi (24), and Hirofumi Araki (27), plus a member named Arata Horii (18) who was chosen through an audition.

"Ato 1cm no Mirai" will be available as a chaku-uta ringtone on October 22. Starting on November 27, they will hold debut events in 4 cities.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Sei Ashina dating former dancer
Thu, October 21, 2010 (8:37pm EDT)



The newest issue of FRIDAY reports that actress Sei Ashina (26) has a boyfriend. The man is said to be a 30-year-old company employee and former dancer, who worked with her in the 2008 play "Amatsukaze." He is also said to have appeared as a background dancer on television and in other stage productions.

According to FRIDAY, Ashina and the man were seen in early September riding together on his scooter. They stopped at a convenience store before heading to Ashina's apartment. The pair were seen again in early October, with Ashina smilingly throwing her arms around the man's neck as they left her apartment.

Ashina's management office gave no comment on the article, saying that it is leaving Ashina's personal matters alone.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Sawajiri rumored to be in Taiwan with Takashiro
Thu, October 21, 2010 (1:39pm EDT)



Just last week, Erika Sawajiri (24) made headlines again, this time for reports that she has been unreachable for a few weeks. While her mother confirmed that she has not been at home since last month, Sawajiri's whereabouts still remain unknown to the public. However, a new rumor surfaced on Wednesday night as an evening newspaper claimed that the actress is currently in Taiwan with her husband, Tsuyoshi Takashiro (46), fueling further speculation regarding previous rumors of impending divorce.

Reporters once again rushed to Sawajiri's apartment in an attempt to get confirmation from her mother, but they failed to get any comment on the matter.

According to the newspaper, Sawajiri and Takashiro were apparently witnessed at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport on September 20, and the article included a photo from behind of two people who appear to be the couple. That was one day before her scheduled appearance at a promotional event for a new hair care commercial, which Sawajiri canceled due to a high fever. If the rumor is true, it would mean that Sawajiri lied to the commercial's sponsor, which would undoubtedly have an effect on her remaining credibility.

Sawajiri is still trying to secure a management contract with Avex, though the process has apparently halted due to Sawajiri's disappearance. Since last week's story, Avex has continued to decline comment, as they do not even have a basic agreement signed with Sawajiri. However, several news outlets report that one of Avex's conditions was that Sawajiri divorces Takashiro, so this may further jeopardize her chances of securing the contract.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Mika Nakashima cancels anniversary concerts due to ear condition
Thu, October 21, 2010 (12:48pm EDT)



Singer Mika Nakashima (27) had four upcoming concerts lined up to commemorate her 10th anniversary, but it was just announced on her official website that the shows have been canceled. Nakashima has been suffering in both ears from a rare condition known as Patulous Eustachian tube, which affects her hearing. Due to a worsening of the condition, she has decided to take a break from performing in order to undergo treatment.

Nakashima was scheduled to play two shows at Osaka-jo Hall on October 30 and 31, and two shows at Nippon Budokan on November 5 and 6. The Budokan concerts would have been her first ones at that venue.

Nakashima's new album "STAR" is being released on October 27, but she has also canceled four upcoming TV appearances to promote the album. This includes a live performance on "Music Station" on October 22 and on "Music Japan" on October 24.

After undergoing treatment, Nakashima is expected to recover at least in time for her tour next spring, if not sooner.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Baby Loves Disco to hold Halloween event Oct 31

Friday 22nd October, 02:42 PM JST



TOKYO —

Baby Loves Disco-Japan and Tokyo Families Magazine will hold a Halloween event at Omotesando Hills from 12 noon until 8 p.m. on Sunday Oct 31. The event will feature trick or treat, lots of dancing, photo booth, magic show, live band, international food & drink booths, talent show, kids fashion show, face painting, surprise celebrity guests and a costume contest with lots of prizes.

“Mommy-talent” Tomoka Matsuri will make a special appearance in the fashion show as a key supporter of HUG & Embrace: Cervical Cancer Prevention & Awareness Project – a cause BLD is supporting for this event.  

Baby Loves Disco, which is celebrating its 3rd anniversary in Japan, focuses on offering a family activity based on accessibility, flexibility, unique and refined interactive experience for the whole family and their friends, that best accommodates the hustle-bustle lifestyle of individuals living in a big city like Tokyo, say organizers.

Baby Loves Disco has grown to be a worldwide phenomenon. Parties have been held in 27 U.S. cities and around the globe including Israel, Poland, Sweden, UK, Japan, Hong Kong, Dubai and Australia.

Admission to the Halloween party is 1,000 yen for children aged 12-18, and 1,500 yen for 19 and above. Children up to 11 years old will be admitted for free.

To purchase tickets online, visit http://www.eventsbot.com/events/eb552218729

For more information, visit www.babylovesdisco.co.jp or email [email protected].

Source: www.japantoday.com

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Yoko Ono wins Hiroshima Art Prize for peace promotion through art

Saturday 23rd October, 03:38 AM JST



HIROSHIMA —

Yoko Ono, an avant-garde artist and the widow of former Beatle John Lennon, has been selected as the recipient of the eighth Hiroshima Art Prize for her contributions to world peace through contemporary art, the municipal government of Hiroshima said Friday.

The 77-year-old New York-based artist is known for actively speaking out for peace, making speeches in support of the abolishment of nuclear weapons when she attended the review conferences of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty at the United Nations in 2005 and 2010.

Ono released a comment through the city, saying, ‘‘The tragedies of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were created by humans by themselves, and the humans also have the wisdom to eliminate their root causes,’’ in reference to the 1945 atomic bombings of the two Japanese cities in World War II.

The award ceremony will be held next summer in Hiroshima. The city will also hold an exhibition of Ono’s artwork then.

The triennial prize, established in 1989, has been given to artists including Japanese fashion designer Issey Miyake and Chinese artist Cai Guoqiang.

Source: www.japantoday.com

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Mona Yamamoto named 'coffee ambassador'

Saturday 23rd October, 03:53 AM JST



TOKYO —

“Talent” Mona Yamamoto, 34, has been named a “coffee ambassador” for Chinese premium brand Q’s coffee. Yamamoto said she enjoys 5 or 6 cups of coffee a day.

Yamamoto joked, “I was happy to be offered the job. Coffee is second only to my partner in life!”

Yamamoto married the president of a real estate investment company in August.

Source: www.japantoday.com

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Fukada decorated with Y200 million in jewelry to promote villainous role

Saturday 23rd October, 05:50 AM JST



TOKYO —

Kyoko Fukada, 27, attended an event in Aoyama this week to celebrate the completion of filming of her new WOWOW drama series “Phantom Night,” in which she stars alongside Takashi Tsukamoto, 27, and Kyohei Shibara, 59.

Based on the best-seller by popular novelist Keiko Higashino, 52, the story is about the Machiavellian machinations of Mifuyu Shinkai, a woman who will stop at nothing and use any man she can to achieve her ambitions. “It was a tough role,” said Fukada. “Playing this awful woman and speaking her lines gave me a whole new outlook.”

Part of the story revolves around a Ginza jewelry store, providing an opportunity for jewelry brand Harry Winston to sponsor the event by draping Fukada in accessories worth a combined total of 200 million yen for the occasion. “I feel like I’m heading to the Oscars,” Fukada gushed.

The drama will be broadcast on Sundays at 10 p.m. from Nov 21.

Source: www.japantoday.com

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Actor Higashiyama, actress Kimura tie knot

Sunday 24th October, 05:27 AM JST



TOKYO —

Actor Noriyuki Higashiyama and actress Yoshino Kimura said Saturday they tied the knot earlier in the day. In a joint fax message sent to media outlets, the 44-year-old Higashiyama and the 34-year-old Kimura said, ‘‘We would like to further devote ourselves to work by sharing life and learning together from now on.’‘

Sources close to the couple said they started dating two and a half years ago after appearing on stage together for a drama.

Source: www.japan-zone.com

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Tokyo Int'l Film Festival opens

Sunday 24th October, 05:36 AM JST

TOKYO —

The 23rd Tokyo International Film Festival kicked off Saturday, as actors and directors from around the globe showed up on the ‘‘green carpet’’ laid down in the capital’s Roppongi district.

French actress Catherine Deneuve and Japan’s Maki Horikita were among some 300 movie celebrities and industry officials walking on the carpet made from an estimated 23,000 recycled plastic bottles, representing ‘‘ecology,’’ the event’s theme for the third straight year, at the opening of the nine-day event.

The festival will screen about 200 films from around the world at the Roppongi Hills complex in Minato Ward and other venues in Tokyo. Fifteen will compete for the Tokyo Sakura Grand Prix, including ‘‘Post Card,’’ directed by Kaneto Shindo, Japan’s oldest active director at age 98, and ‘‘Sketches of Kaitan City’’ directed by Kazuyoshi Kumakiri.

A number of films on nature will run in accordance with the event’s theme.

‘‘The Social Network,’’ directed by David Fincher, is among the films selected for advanced screenings. It depicts how a Harvard University undergraduate invented the social networking site ‘‘Facebook’’ and how it changed his life.

Organizers of the event are expecting to draw about 300,000 visitors at the event which runs through Oct 31.

Source: www.japantoday.com

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Nakashima to suspend music activities due to ear disorder

Sunday 24th October, 05:43 AM JST



TOKYO —

Singer Mika Nakashima has canceled her concerts scheduled in late October and early November in Osaka and Tokyo due to an ear disorder, saying she will take leave from music activities for the time being to concentrate on getting better.

In a message posted on her website Friday, the 27-year-old singer confessed she has sung for the past several years with a disorder affecting her auditory tubes in both ears, but the condition recently deteriorated to a level that makes it impossible to ‘‘feel satisfied with my singing performance.’‘

People with the disorder, called patulous Eustachian tube, hear their own breathing and other sounds and feel that their own voices are too loud.

The concerts would have marked the 10th anniversary of Nakashima’s singing career.

Source: www.japantoday.com

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Uno Kanda unveils new line of wedding dresses

Monday 25th October, 03:52 AM JST



TOKYO —

Fashion designer and TV personality Uno Kanda, 35, revealed her new line of wedding dresses in Tokyo recently in a show titled “Uno et L’etoile.” Helping Kanda model the dresses were Tsubasa Masuwaka, 25, and Takashi Tsukamoto, 27.

Kanda was asked the latest news on her rocky married life, but said she and her husband have no plans to divorce. In June, she announced that she planned to separate from her husband, Takuo Nishimura, 40. The couple, who married at Meiji Shrine in October 2007, held six wedding ceremonies in places such as Guam, Saipan and Hawaii.

Source: www.japantoday.com

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New Half CEO Charged With Tax Evasion       
October 22, 2010



Popular "new half" beautician and company president Okae Miki (38) has been charged with tax evasion. Also a writer of half a dozen books on beauty and a regular guest on TV, Okae is described as Japan's first trans-gender "beauty researcher." She is the president of the Triplesun cosmetics company and it was in that capacity that she apologized publicly in a press conference today. She has been charged with evading some ¥170 million ($2.1 million) in corporate taxes on ¥610 million in earnings over the last three years. "It is true that I evaded taxes. I would like to apologize to all the women who have used our cosmetics."

Real name Tada Miki, she was a fan of actress Okae Kumiko and borrowed her family name after undergoing sex change surgery at the age of 22. She established her company in 1996 and launched the Eporashe cosmetics brand in 2001.

Source: www.japan-zone.com

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Moe Yamaguchi expecting second child
Sat, October 23, 2010 (1:26am EDT)



Talento Moe Yamaguchi (33) updated her blog on Friday to report that she is now pregnant with her second child. She is currently in her fifth month of pregnancy and is due next spring.

Yamaguchi got married in November 2005 to Shigeo Ozeki, president of IT company ZEEL. In June 2007, she gave birth to their first child, a daughter.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Shohei Miura stars in "SAMURAI7" play
Sat, October 23, 2010 (1:50am EDT)



Actor Shohei Miura (22) has landed his first starring theater role. He will lead the cast of "SAMURAI7," directed by Shunichi Okamura, who is perhaps best known for working on several EXILE productions.

As the title suggests, the play is about a group of seven samurai with rich personalities, who join forces on the battlefield. It is based on the anime series "Samurai 7," which in turn was based on Akira Kurosawa's movie "Seven Samurai." Okamura has already staged the play once before in 2008, with Masaya Kato (47) as the lead.

Besides Miura, the cast this time will include AAA member Takahiro Nishijima (24), Hiroki Aiba (23), Daigoro Tachibana (23), Hiroki Takahashi (36), Masaki Sumitani (aka Razor Ramon HG, 34), Masaya Kato (47), Atsushi Maruyama (27), Erina Mizuno (17), Hidemi Hikita (15), and Akinori Nakagawa (27). Performances will take place from November 20 to December 5 at the Aoyama Theatre in Tokyo.

Source: www.tokyograph.com