Japanese Entertainment News & Info HERE! [part IV]

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Mika Nakashima, SA.RI.NA top USEN's 2010 rankings
Sat, December 11, 2010 (1:07am EST)



Cable radio operator USEN announced its 2010 ranking charts on Friday. On the J-Pop list, Mika Nakashima's "Ichiban Kirei na Watashi wo" was #1, which was predicted after the song set a record by topping the weekly ranking for 6 consecutive weeks.

Takeshi Tsuruno's "Love Letter" was #2, followed by Ayumi Hamasaki's "Virgin Road." JUJU had three songs in the Top 30 list, two of which were in the Top 10. (J-Pop Ranking Top 30)



On the J-Pop request ranking list, "Ichiban Kirei na Watashi wo" was #2, behind the song "Single Mother" by reggae artist SA.RI.NA. JUJU's "Hello, Again ~Mukashi Kara Aru Basho~" was #3. (J-Pop Request Ranking Top 30)

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Yokohama Film Festival awards: Takashi Miike's "13 Assassins" takes Best Picture
Sat, December 11, 2010 (1:41am EST)



The 32nd Yokohama Film Festival has announced its award winners. Takashi Miike's "13 Assassins" earned three awards including Best Picture, and it topped the festival's "Best Ten" list for the year.

The award winners are:

Best Picture: "13 Assassins"
Best Director: Takashi Miike ("13 Assassins," "Zebraman 2")
Best New Director: Yuya Ishii ("Kawa no Soko Kara Konnichiwa," "Kimi to Arukou"), Masaaki Taniguchi ("Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo")
Best Screenplay: Daisuke Tengan ("13 Assassins")
Best Cinematography: Jun Fukumoto ("Kondo wa Aisaika," "Parade")
Best Actor: Etsushi Toyokawa ("Kondo wa Aisaika," "Hisshiken Torisashi")
Best Actress: Hikari Mitsushima ("Kawa no Soko Kara Konnichiwa," "Kakera")
Best Supporting Actor: Renji Ishibashi ("Kondo wa Aisaika," "Parade," "Yukizuri no Machi," "Outrage," "Ningen Shikkaku")
Best Supporting Actress: Yui Natsukawa ("Kokou no Mesu")
Best Newcomer: Osamu Mukai ("BECK," "Hanamizuki"), Hiroko Sato ("Nude no Yoru")
Special Prize: Hiroki Matsukata
The Best Ten list:
"13 Assassins" (Takashi Miike)
"Kokuhaku" (Tetsuya Nakashima)
"Akunin" (Sang-il Lee)
"Kawa no Soko Kara Konnichiwa" (Yuya Ishii)
"Kondo wa Aisaika" (Isao Yukisada)
"Hisshiken Torisashi" (Hideyuki Hirayama)
"Kokou no Mesu" (Izuru Narushima)
"Nude no Yoru" (Takashi Ishii)
"Permanent Nobara" (Daihachi Yoshida)
"Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo" (Masaaki Taniguchi)

Masaharu Kobayashi's "Haru to no Tabi" was named as a runner-up for the list.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Heisei Ishin vocalist Taku passes away
Sat, December 11, 2010 (6:46am EST)



Taku, the vocalist of visual-kei band Heisei Ishin, has passed away. A message on the band's official website says that Taku died on December 10, though details of his death have not been made public. A funeral service will be held just for family and relatives.

As a result of Taku's passing, the band announced the cancellation of their concert that was scheduled for December 11 in Osaka. They have also canceled their appearances at two events in Osaka on December 25 and 31, both organized by their former label Under Code Production.

Heisei Ishin formed in 2008 as a five-member band, consisting of Taku, former Anjyu' members YUKKIE (guitar) and Yoshi (bass), and former VIZET members JILL (guitarist) and Rai (drums). They were signed to Under Code Production between June 2008 and September 2010. At the end of last month, the band announced that they would disband on December 31.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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TV Tokyo's Kojima, Takii tie the knot
Sun, December 12, 2010 (8:23am EST)



TV Tokyo announced on Sunday that two of its television announcers have tied the knot. Hidekimi Kojima (39) and Ayano Takii registered their marriage in late November after dating for more than two and a half years.

Kojima joined TV Tokyo in 1994 after graduating from Waseda University. His work has been primarily sports-related, including on-site coverage of the Olympic Games in 2000, 2002, and 2006. He has been married once before.

Takii, a graduate of Gakushuin University, has been with TV Tokyo since 2004. She also served as a newscaster for the 2006 Olympic Games. She currently is a regular sub-caster on the network's "News Morning Satellite."

Both Kojima and Takii plan to continue working as announcers with TV Tokyo.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Aguilera caps topsy-turvy year with 'Burlesque'

By Chris Betros



TOKYO —

It’s been a tough year for singer-songwriter Christina Aguilera – she released a new album, “Bionic,” which didn’t do well; her summer concert tour was canceled; she got a divorce after 4 1/2 years of marriage; and made her film debut in “Burlesque,” co-starring Cher, Stanley Tucci, Kristen Bell and Cam Gigandet.

Directed by Steven Antin, “Burlesque” is basically another story about a country girl who makes it big in the city. Aguilera plays Ali, a spunky Iowa waitress who hungers for the stage and big lights. She heads off to LA where she soon ends up at a Sunset Strip burlesque club on the verge of bankruptcy, pestering the owner (Cher) for a job, romancing the bartender (Gigandet) and dealing with the club’s resident dancer shrew (Bell).

In one scene, when Ali finally gets her chance to dance and lip synch on the stage, Bell’s character pulls the plug on the music and she is forced to improvise. “That scene I could definitely identify with,” said Aguilera, who turns 30 on Dec 18. “When I was singing once as a child, someone pulled the plug on me. They didn’t believe I was actually singing.”

Aguilera, who lived in Japan from 1983-86, got her start in showbiz in “The Mickey Mouse Club” on TV (1993-95). She quickly became a success as a recording artist, winning four Grammys among numerous awards along the way. But acting in a film was another matter altogether.

Antin, a director of several music videos, said he wrote the part of Ali with Aguilera in mind. “I knew she was a great singer and dancer, and I could also sense that she had an innate acting ability. She went toe to toe with Cher and Stanley Tucci.”

Aguilera said it was easy for her to get into character because “Cher is one of my idols. Even though I was a newcomer, she was warm and gave me a hug every day on the set. She taught me to use my natural instincts.” Bell, 30, was also full of praise for the 64-year-old Cher. “She is so iconic and speaks her mind. There is nothing fake about what she says.”

For the film, Aguilera wrote three songs – “Express,” “Bound to You” and the theme “Burlesque,” in addition to performing covers of songs by Etta James and Mae West. But it was learning the dance moves that was the toughest for both Aguilera and Bell.

“We had a lot of great teachers and they worked us day in, day out,” said Aguilera. “Although dancing has been part of my routine, I am a vocalist first and foremost, so it was a big challenge to look as if I could blend in with the terrific professional back-up dancers on stage. I learned a lot that I will continue to use.”

Bell, best known to TV audiences for her work in “Heroes,” said that she was reluctant at first to appear in “Burlesque.” “In America, there is a tendency to think of burlesque dancing as stripping,” she said. “I didn’t realize how beautiful and difficult it was until I tried it. I saw professionals doing it with sprained ankles. The other inducement for me was playing a morally bankrupt character, since I usually get offered a lot of good-girl roles.”

“Burlesque” opens in Japan on Dec 18.

Source: www.japantoday.com

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M-1 Grand Prix to end after this year
Sun, December 12, 2010 (9:19am EST)

Yoshimoto Kogyo announced on Sunday that this is the last year for its M-1 Grand Prix comedy competition. The news was revealed at a press conference held just after the semifinal round for this year's contest.

This is the 10th year of the M-1 Grand Prix, which was established in 2001. Thousands of professional and amateur comedy duos have entered the competition every year, aiming to boost their careers by reaching the finals and ultimately taking the top prize. The past winners, from newest to oldest, have been: Punkbooboo, NON STYLE, Sandwichman, Tutorial, Black Mayonnaise, Untouchable, Football Hour, Masuda Okada, and Nakagawake.

Yoshimoto Kogyo hinted at the possibility of a new event to replace the competition.

This year's M-1 Grand Prix had 4,835 entries, the most ever in its 10-year history. The field was narrowed down to 24 duos for the semifinals, and 8 advanced to the final round. Three of the teams have been in the finals before: Haraichi (2nd consecutive year), KNIGHTS (3rd consecutive year), and Waraimeshi (9th consecutive year). The other five are all appearing in the finals for the first time: Canary, Jaru Jaru, Slim Club, Ginshari, and Peace.

The final round will include one more duo, chosen on the day of the competition. That last-chance competition will be broadcast live on TV Asahi on December 26 starting at 4:00pm, followed by the finals at 6:30pm.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Yahoo! Japan users vote for 2010's best, including AKB48, Kazunari Ninomiya
Sun, December 12, 2010 (10:49am EST)

Yahoo! Japan recently announced the results of its Net Banzuke 2010 rankings. The website, which is accessed by over 50 million users each month, conducted the rankings over a 9-day period from November 24 to December 2, and a total of more than 1.11 million votes were cast across all the categories.

Nominees were based on Yahoo!'s music rankings over the past year, as well as keyword searches performed through the website.

The winners are:

Best Japanese Artist: AKB48 (78,768 votes)
Best Foreign Artist: Lady Gaga (30,588 votes)
Best New Artist: ICONIQ (20,314 votes)
Best Single: Arigatou - Ikimono Gakari (56,839)
Best Album: FUNKY MONKEY BABYS BEST - FUNKY MONKEY BABYS (35,429)
Best Film: Toy Story 3 (8,441 votes)
Best Actor: Kazunari Ninomiya (7,263 votes)
Best Actress: Eri Fukatsu (6,781 votes)
Best Foreign Actor/Actress: Johnny Depp (8,812 votes)
Best Drama: JIN (15,361 votes)
Best Variety Show: Ame Talk (17,793 votes)
Best Video Game: New Super Mario Bros. Wii (12,412 votes)
Best Video Game Character: Mario (9,862 votes)
Awards were also voted on in several other categories, including web videos, sports, and cars. Yahoo! also conducted rankings in some categories secretly, including:
Best AKB48 Single (since their debut): Heavy Rotation (8,391 votes)
Worst Fashion: Britney Spears (4,341 votes)
Best Digital Goods: iPad (6,736 votes)
Best Female Prime Minister: Renho (5,052 votes)
Most Surprising Tweet: Sora Aoi (4,900 votes)
Best iPhone App: Skype (2,493 votes)

The complete list of awards can be found on the official website.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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AKB48 member Itano promotes photo book ahead of solo debut

Tuesday 14th December, 03:46 AM JST



TOKYO —

AKB48 member Tomomi Itano, who is on a roll ahead of becoming the first in the all-girl pop idol group to make a solo debut, is promoting a book of photos of her which includes a comic story.

‘‘I think the character in the comic will get to your heart more than I do, ‘’ she said recently, referring to the 64-page ‘‘manga’’ story drawn by artist Hiroyuki Tamakoshi. The photos are mostly her in swimwear in Cairns, Australia. Itano announced Saturday during an event in Tokyo and later on her blog that she will make her solo singing debut on Jan 26 with the single ‘‘Dear J.’’

Source: www.japantoday.com

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Atsuko Maeda stars in "Moshidora" movie adaptation
Sun, December 12, 2010 (5:58pm EST)



This year's top-selling book, "Moshi Koukou Yakyuu no Joshi Manager ga Drucker no 'Management' wo Yondara," is being adapted as a live-action film, starring AKB48 member Atsuko Maeda (19). Although Maeda has starred in recent dramas such as "Q10" and "Majisuka Gakuen," this will be her first lead role in a movie. Her last appearance in one was "Nasu Shonenki" in 2008.

The original book, also known as "Moshidora," was published by Natsumi Iwasaki in December 2009, and it has sold approximately 1.81 million copies since then to become the biggest hit of the year. The story revolves around Minami Kawashima, the female manager of a high school baseball team who mistakenly buys the book "Management: Tasks, Responsibilities, Practices" by the late management expert Peter Drucker. Using Drucker's advice on management, she reforms the team with the goal of reaching the Koshien tournament.



Although the book's main character was originally modeled after AKB48's Minami Minegishi (18), she will instead be playing a supporting role as another one of the team's managers. Koji Seto (22) has been cast as the team's ace pitcher, while Sosuke Ikematsu (20) is taking on the role of a catcher. Other cast members include Haruna Kawaguchi (15) as a friend of the protagonist and Yo Oizumi (37) as the team's coach.



AKB48 producer Yasushi Akimoto (54) is serving as general producer for the film. Theatrical release is scheduled for June 2011.



Besides this film adaptation, "Moshidora" is already being adapted as a manga starting this month in the magazine Super Jump, as well as an anime series on NHK starting in March. It was recently announced that another AKB48 member, Sayaka Nakaya (19), will be voice acting for a supporting character in the anime.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Erika Sawajiri may hold press conference this month
Sun, December 12, 2010 (6:26pm EST)



The latest rumor regarding actress Erika Sawajiri (24) comes from the Sports Nippon newspaper, which says that she may be returning to Japan this month, with possible plans for a press conference.

Sports Nippon previously reported that Sawajiri was out of contact with her mother for a few weeks after disappearing in September. Although the details of her situation have remained unverified, it has since then been reported by multiple newspapers that she is currently overseas.

According to Sports Nippon, Sawajiri's mother stated that the actress will be coming back to Japan this month, and she hinted that Sawajiri may hold a press conference upon her return. No other details were given, but a friend interviewed by the newspaper indicated that it is likely Sawajiri will be back in time to celebrate Christmas with her mother.

If Sawajiri does hold a press conference, it is speculated that she will talk about the status of her marriage with multimedia creator Tsuyoshi Takashiro (46). An unconfirmed rumor has been circulating for several months that she plans to get a divorce as a condition for signing with Avex's management division.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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The Wolf's Daughter to Make Drama Debut       
December 14, 2010



To promote the new MTV Japan reality show "Shibuhara Girls" the focus is on the fact that it marks the 'acting' debut of model Akimoto Kozue (23). Which is significant mainly because she is the daughter of sumo legend Chiyonofuji (55), now a sumo elder and known as Kokonoe "oyakata" (stablemaster). In his heyday as the most dominant sportsman of his generation, he was known as "The Wolf."

The new MTV show will air late Saturday nights from January 8, and the network has already agreed to show it in 16 countries and regions across Asia. Modeled on "The Hills" and billed as a "reality drama," it focuses on the daily work and private lives of Akimoto, local singers Ishikawa Marie and Miyawaki Shion, and Chinese model Sun Wei. All of whom, of course, are very pleasant on the eye. The name is an amalgamation of the neighboring Shibuya and Harajuku districts of Tokyo that are a fashion and cultural mecca for the youth of the capital.

Source: www.japan-zone.com

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L'Arc~en~Ciel's HYDE voices himself for "Bakuman" anime
Mon, December 13, 2010 (9:35am EST)



It was recently revealed that musician HYDE (L'Arc~en~Ciel, VAMPS) is doing his first voice acting work for the "Bakuman" anime series. At a post-recording event on Monday, he lamented that he couldn't be natural in his role because he was nervous.

The anime is based on the "Bakuman" manga, created by the "Death Note" duo of Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata. The story revolves around two aspiring manga artists, and one of the characters in the story is a mangaka and musician named Koogy. HYDE is providing the voice for himself, appearing in the anime as Koogy's producer.

In addition to his voice role, HYDE rewrote the English lyrics of the VAMPS song "GET UP" into Japanese, and that version is used as one of Koogy's songs in the show.

"Bakuman" airs on Saturdays at 6:00pm on NHK Educational.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Masaaki Sakai, Norika Fujiwara to repeat as hosts of Japan Record Awards
Mon, December 13, 2010 (10:00am EST)



The hosts for the 52nd Japan Record Awards (being held on December 30) were announced on Monday, though the choices were unsurprising. Talento Masaaki Sakai (64) will be leading the show for his 15th consecutive year, along with actress Norika Fujiwara (39) for her 2nd consecutive year. They will be supported by announcers Shinichiro Azumi (10th consecutive year), Sylwia Kato (2nd consecutive year), and Erina Masuda (2nd consecutive year).

The hosts and the winning artists were present at the press conference on Monday, marking the first time in the awards' 52-year history that they have appeared together in front of the press before the actual ceremony. It was also announced that this will be the first year that a rehearsal for the show will be open to the press.

As usual, most of the award winners have already been announced, but two key awards are being revealed at the presentation ceremony. The grand prize, known as the Japan Record Award, will be chosen from the ten Best Song winners:

"I Wish For You" - EXILE
"Aitai Riyuu" - AAA
"Arigatou" - Ikimono Gakari
"Tell Me Goodbye" - BIG BANG
"Toilet no Kamisama" - Kana Uemura
"Nijiiro no Bayon" - Kiyoshi Hikawa
"New World" - w-inds.
"Beginner" - AKB48
"Matsushima Kikou" - Kaori Mizumori
"Ready to be a lady" - GIRL NEXT DOOR

And the Best New Artist award will be chosen from the four New Artist winners:

ICONIQ
Madoka Kikuchi
SNSD
S/mileage

The live broadcast of the event will be on TBS on December 30, starting at 6:30pm.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Ebizo Bar Brawl Update       
December 14, 2010



If you've already learned more than you ever wanted to know about Ichikawa Ebizo's bar brawl, stop reading now. Otherwise, here's an update.

Metropolitan Police arrested Tokyo resident Itoh Rion (26, photo right) on December 10 for last month's assault on kabuki star Ichikawa (33, left). But conflicting reports continue to emerge about what actually happened in the early hours of November 25. Itoh - a former "bosozoku" (street gang) leader - has admitted punching Ebizo in the face at a bar in Tokyo's Nishiazabu district. He is accused of repeatedly punching and kicking Ichikawa in the face and head, leaving him with severe injuries including a broken cheek bone, which are expected to take six weeks to heal. But while the actor has insisted he never threw any punches or provoked the violence, police are investigating claims to the contrary by witnesses. And at his recent press conference, the actor looked in considerably better condition than reports had led people to believe.

After a night of socializing with kabuki colleagues, Ebizo ended up in a 6th floor bar after 4am, where he was seen drinking with a 29-year-old former gang leader. The man was heavily drunk at the time and Ebizo is said to have been physically rough with him. Itoh and two colleagues arrived and were engaged in conversation by the actor, before all five moved to another bar on the building's 11th floor. It was there that Itoh says that Ebizo's behavior angered him to the point of violence. "I got furious at him and punched him at the bar. I wasn't very drunk," he is said to have told investigators. "I was the only one who punched him. But it was not me who picked a fight." Meanwhile, the 29-year-old former gang leader is said to be considering suing Ebizo for assault and possibly holding a press conference this week.

Source: www.japan-zone.com

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Chiriko Sakashita gives birth to second child
Mon, December 13, 2010 (10:08am EST)



Talento Chiriko Sakashita (34) is now a mother of two. She revealed on her official blog that she gave birth to a son on Sunday night.

Even though this is her second child, Sakashita said that it was a difficult birth. She experienced labor pains for three days before the boy was finally born.

Sakashita got married to a television cameraman in January 2008. Their first child, a daughter, was born in November of that year.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Yoji Yamada to direct homage to Yasujiro Ozu's "Tokyo Story"
Mon, December 13, 2010 (10:40am EST)

Award-winning director Yoji Yamada ("Otouto," "The Hidden Blade") has revealed his next film, described as an homage to Yasujiro Ozu's 1953 masterpiece "Tokyo Story." The project will begin production in 2011, which is a milestone year for Yamada - he debuted as a filmmaker 50 years earlier, with the 1961 piece "Nikai no Tanin."

"Tokyo Story" has already had several remakes and homages, both in and out of Japan. The original film - starring Chishu Ryu, Chieko Higashiyama, and Setsuko Hara - told the story of an elderly couple on a trip to Tokyo to see their children, who are too busy with their own lives to pay much attention to their parents.

Yamada's version will be set in the present day. The scenario will be quite different from the original, apparently involving an elderly couple and the wife of their son, who was killed in action as a soldier. The cast has not been announced yet, but filming is scheduled to run from April to June next year, followed by an anticipated theatrical release at the start of 2012.

In addition to the film, Yamada will be in charge of a stage version of "Tokyo Story" in 2011, to be performed at the Mitsukoshi Theater in Tokyo. It will be his second stage adaptation of an Ozu film; he directed a production of Ozu's "Early Summer" in January of this year.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Hiroko Yakushimaru sings first movie theme song in almost 22 years
Mon, December 13, 2010 (11:29am EST)



In October, actress Hiroko Yakushimaru (46) was announced as the star of the dog movie "Wasao." It is now known that she will also be singing the theme song, titled "Boku no Takaramono." This is her first movie theme song since "Windy Boy," used in her 1989 film "READY! LADY."

Yakushimaru has frequently done the theme songs for movies she has starred in, starting with her breakout role in the 1981 film "Sailor Suit and Machine Gun." This will be her 9th time to do so.

"Boku no Takaramono" is said to be a slow-tempo number with lyrics written by Chiharu Tamashiro of the musical duo Kiroro. It is already being made available digitally on sites like Recochoku on December 14. A CD single release is currently scheduled for March 2, just before the "Wasao" movie opens in theaters on March 5.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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TVXQ sings theme song for "Utsukushii Rinjin"
Mon, December 13, 2010 (7:43pm EST)



Korean group TVXQ, which is resuming activities as a two-member unit consisting of Yunho and Changmin, has been chosen to provide the theme song for the Japanese drama series "Utsukushii Rinjin." Their song will be released as a single on January 26, tentatively titled "torn."

This will be the first time that TVXQ provides a theme song for a prime time series in Japan.

The drama was first revealed in August. It stars Yukie Nakama and Rei Dan in a suspenseful story of the complicated relationship between two neighbors, involving both friendship and jealousy. Broadcast begins on January 11 on Fuji TV.

TVXQ is also scheduled to perform at the SMTOWN LIVE events at Yoyogi National Gymnasium on January 25 and 26.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Yutaka Takenouchi, Asami Mizukawa play newlyweds in comedy film
Mon, December 13, 2010 (8:32pm EST)



Yutaka Takenouchi (39) and Asami Mizukawa (27) will co-star in a new movie by director Ryuichi Honda ("GS Wonderland"). Titled "Ogiya no Tanoshii Ryokou: Shinkon Jigoku-hen," the film is an adaptation of a novel by writer and actor Shiro Maeda.

In this comedy, Takenouchi and Mizukawa play the newlywed couple Nobu and Saki, who are already tired of married life. The two embark on a "trip through hell," but their experiences and encounters along the way renews their love for each other.

The cast is rounded out by Kirin Kiki, Hairi Katagiri, Yoshiyoshi Arakawa, Ai Hashimoto, Denden, Ryota Yamasato (Yama-chan), and Akira Emoto.

Maeda, who wrote the original novel, has won several awards as an author and playwright. He has been described as an emerging talent in the same vein as established comedy writers Koki Mitani and Kankuro Kudo. "Ogiya no Tanoshii Ryokou" is his first work to get a movie adaptation.

The movie is planned for release in theaters in May 2011.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Ozawa leads own orchestra at Carnegie Hall festival

Wednesday 15th December, 11:26 AM JST



NEW YORK —

Conductor Seiji Ozawa on Tuesday led the Saito Kinen Orchestra at Carnegie Hall as the New York concert venue officially launched its first Japan festival, a two-part citywide event to explore the country’s arts and culture.

Ozawa wielded the baton for the latter part of the day’s program, conducting Johannes Brahms’ Symphony No. 1. The Saito Kinen Orchestra was founded by Ozawa in 1984 to honor his teacher, Hideo Saito.

The 75-year-old has reduced his role at the JapanNYC festival as he recovers from a sciatic condition, and was replaced by conductor Tatsuya Shimono for the first half of the program—Atsuhiko Gondai’s Decathexis and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3.

Shimono, 40-year-old resident conductor of Tokyo’s Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra, will also conduct the first part of the second program Wednesday in place of Ozawa, Carnegie Hall said, adding that Ozawa is scheduled to conduct the final program Saturday as planned.

Ozawa was diagnosed in January with an early stage of esophageal cancer. After undergoing surgery, Ozawa significantly limited his concert engagements, partly resuming conducting only in late July.

The Japanese festival, for which Ozawa serves as artistic director, will feature over 65 performances and exhibitions at Carnegie Hall and 22 partner venues in New York.

Other musical highlights include the NHK Symphony Orchestra led by Andre Previn, violinist Midori Goto and the Bach Collegium Japan, as well as the Seiji Ozawa Ongaku-juku, composed of young talent, which will make its U.S. debut at the prestigious concert hall.

Among other cultural events are Noh theater, manga, calligraphy, dance, sculpture and film.

The first part of the festival will run through December and the second part will take place in March and April 2011.

Source: www.japantoday.com