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Japanese Entertainment News & Info HERE! [part IV]
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Erika Sawajiri in lingerie most watched YouTube video in Japan this year
Wednesday 15th December, 10:30 AM JST
TOKYO —
The video, “GLAMOROUS photoshoot with Erika Sawajiri,” was the most-watched video in Japan on YouTube this year, according to YouTube Rewind channel. The video was uploaded by Fashion TV Japan Channel. It lasts 8 minutes and shows Sawajiri, 24, making her comeback with a 24-page shoot for fashion magazine GLAMOROUS in May.
The video shows Sawajiri in various states of dress and some semi-nude poses, including lying down on a bed in lingerie.
The No. 1 watched music video was “Ponytail to Shushu” by AKB48.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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Sales of Kagerou Off to Flying Start
December 15, 2010
Some bookstores opened extra early this morning to deal with demand for the debut novel by actor Mizushima Hiro (26). Written using the pen name Saito Tomohiro, his real name, the award-winning "Kagerou" is a guaranteed best seller and thought likely to even outsell the third installment of "1Q84," this year's hugely anticipated release from Murakami Haruki. Publisher Poplar said that pre-release orders for the novel had been huge after it won the 'taisho' (top prize) winner in their 5th annual awards and the identity of the author was revealed for the first time. They have distributed a first run of some 430,000 copies, a rare feat for a first printing. One commuter who picked up the book at a Tokyo bookstore this morning said, "The novel has been a popular topic on TV and I was curious to read it for myself."
The novel tells the story of a former company employee who, unemployed and broke, decides to commit suicide. But involvement with an underground group that deals in the sale of human organs leads him to a renewed realization of the value of life. The story is a far cry from the many successes that Mizushima has enjoyed in a relatively brief career. He married singer Ayaka in 2009 but earlier this year announced his decision to quit acting to focus on writing and his private life.
Source: www.japan-zone.com |
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ACTION-PACKED “GANTZ” HITS BIG SCREENS NATIONWIDE IN ONE-NIGHT WORLD PREMIERE
December 14, 2010 by J!-ENT
Centennial, Colo. – December 13, 2010 – GANTZ, a live-action Japanese feature event, is making its world premiere in 325 movie theaters in an exclusive one-night Fathom event on Thursday, January 20th, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. CT / 6:00 p.m. MT / 8:30 p.m. PT (tape delayed). Following the feature, GANTZ’s two leading actors, Kazunari Ninomiya (Letters from Iwo Jima) and Kenichi Matsuyama (Death Note, Detroit Metal City) will participate in an exclusive live interview that can only be seen at this event.
Tickets are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com. For a complete list of theater locations and prices, please visit the web site (theaters and participants are subject to change).
Presented by NCM Fathom and NEW PEOPLE, in association with Dark Horse Comics, GANTZ (English dubbed) tells the story of childhood friends Kei Kurono and Masaru Kato who are accidentally killed while trying to save another man’s life. Rather than find themselves in the hereafter, however, they awaken in a strange apartment in which they find a mysterious black orb they come to know as “GANTZ.” Along with similar abductees, they are provided with equipment and weaponry and manipulated into playing a kind of game in which they are sent back out to the greater world to do battle with alien beings, all while never quite knowing whether this game is an illusion or their new reality.
Ninomiya and Matsuyama are two of Japan’s biggest stars. Ninomiya, best known in America for his role in Clint Eastwood’s 2006 blockbuster, Letters from Iwo Jima, is both an actor and a singer. He is world-renowned as a member of the Japanese boy band “Arashi,” which topped Japan’s music charts in 2009 with the three best-selling singles. Matsuyama has been one of the most sought-after actors in Japanese film and has won several awards including Japanese Academy Awards Best New Actor (2007) and Most Popular Actor (2009). Matsuyama is recognized for his part as L in Death Note (2006), Death Note II: the Last Name (2006) and Death Note: L, change the WorLd (2008).
“GANTZ is the kind of kinetic action film that pushes the boundaries of the sci-fi genre,” said Seiji Horibuchi, founder of NEW PEOPLE. “We’re very excited to work with NCM Fathom and Dark Horse Comics to organize this special event and look forward to the property’s domestic popularity growing even more following this new release.”
GANTZ will appear in 325 theaters, including AMC Entertainment Inc., Cinemark USA Inc., Clearview Cinemas, Cobb Theatres, Goodrich Quality Theatres, Hollywood Theaters, Marcus Theatres, National Amusements, Rave Motion Pictures, R/C Theatres and Regal Entertainment Group movie theaters, as well as The Beacon Cinema (Pittsfield, MA), The Carolina Theatre (Asheville, NC) and Palace Cinema 9 (South Burlington, VT), through NCM’s exclusive Digital Broadcast Network —North America’s largest cinema broadcast network.
“GANTZ offers a thrilling world that nobody has ever seen in live-action,” said Dan Diamond, vice president of NCM Fathom. “Incredibly popular in Japan as well as among American manga and anime enthusiasts, this new GANTZ rendition is sure to thrill audiences in local movie theaters around the country.”
About National CineMedia (NCM)
NCM operates NCM Media Networks, a leading integrated media company reaching U.S. consumers in movie theaters, online and through mobile technology. The NCM Cinema Network and NCM Fathom present cinema advertising and events across the nation’s largest digital in-theater network, comprised of theaters owned by AMC Entertainment Inc., Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK), Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE: RGC) and other leading regional theater circuits. NCM’s theater network covers 170 Designated Market Areas® (49 of the top 50) and includes approximately 17,300 screens (15,700 digital). During 2009, over 690 million patrons attended movies shown in theaters currently included in NCM’s network (excluding Consolidated Theatres, Rave Cinemas and R/C Theatres). The NCM Fathom Events broadcast network is comprised of over 550 locations in 156 Designated Market Areas® (49 of the top 50). The NCM Interactive Network offers 360-degree integrated marketing opportunities in combination with cinema, encompassing over 40 entertainment-related web sites, online widgets and mobile applications. National CineMedia, Inc. (NASDAQ: NCMI) owns a 48.2% interest in and is the managing member of National CineMedia LLC. For more information, visit www.ncm.com or www.fathomevents.com
Source: www.nt2099.com/J-ENT |
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Mika Nakashima announces 33-concert tour for spring 2011
Tue, December 14, 2010 (12:16pm EST)
In October, singer Mika Nakashima had to cancel four concerts due to hearing problems caused by a rare health condition. At the time, she began receiving treatment with the goal of recovering in time for a concert tour scheduled for next spring. It has now been announced that she plans to proceed with that tour, as details were revealed on her official website.
The tour will last three months, starting on April 22 and ending on July 19, with a total of 33 concerts at 27 venues across Japan. Four of the shows will be in Tokyo: two at the Tokyo International Forum in May and two at NHK Hall in July.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Kra guitarist Mai to retire from music
Tue, December 14, 2010 (1:02pm EST)
Mai, the guitarist of visual-kei band Kra, will be retiring from music on December 28, after the band's concert that day at the Shibuya C.C.Lemon Hall. The news was announced on their official website on Monday.
Mai has been performing with the band despite problems with poor health that have been going on for some time. After discussions among the band members and the staff, it was decided that Mai would retire to focus on receiving medical treatment.
The remaining three members will continue their activities as Kra.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Shonannokaze's Wakadanna to make solo debut
Tue, December 14, 2010 (8:11pm EST)
Wakadanna (34) of the reggae group Shonannokaze is launching a new record label under Avex called Tank Top Records. He will make his solo debut on that label with the digital single "Inochi ~Sakura no Kioku~."
Wakadanna began work on the demo recording of "Inochi" this past summer. At around the same time, he met with Avex staff members and they hit it off, leading to the decision to make his solo debut with that company. (Shonannokaze's record label is TOY'S FACTORY.)
The lyrics of "Inochi" are said to express Wakadanna's gratitude to his parents for the gift of life. The song will be released digitally on January 26.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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YouTube's top videos of 2010: AKB48, Perfume, Erika Sawajiri
Tue, December 14, 2010 (8:30pm EST)
YouTube has announced its 2010 "Rewind" rankings of the most watched videos on the service, worldwide and in several countries. In Japan, the music video rankings were dominated by AKB48 and Perfume, together occupying 6 of the Top 10 spots.
Most watched music videos:
"Ponytail to Chouchou" - AKB48
"Natural ni Koishite" - Perfume
"Heavy Rotation" - AKB48
"Fushizen na Girl" - Perfume
"Namida" - FUNKY MONKEY BABYS
"VOICE" - Perfume
"Telephone" - Lady Gaga
"Toilet no Kamisama" - Kana Uemura
"Oh!" - SNSD
"Namida Surprise!" - AKB48
Besides music videos, the most watched video clip was Erika Sawajiri's photo shoot for the fashion magazine GLAMOROUS. Another video of Sawajiri's photo shoots ranked #7 on the list.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Charts: AKB48, Mr.Children, SMAP
Tue, December 14, 2010 (9:11pm EST)
AKB48's 19th single, "Chance no Junban," is #1 on the sales charts this week, moving just under 597,000 copies. Although this is a drop from the 827,000 copies sold in the first week by their previous single "Beginner," the song is still their fourth consecutive single to exceed half a million in first-week sales.
AKB48 now has five #1 singles for the year, a feat that has not been accomplished by a female artist since Pink Lady in 1978. The group also has achieved a streak of six consecutive chart-toppers. Among female groups, this ties for the record with Onyanko Club, who had six number-ones between February 1986 and May 1987.
Two singles by the anime band Girls Dead Monster ranked #2 and #3, followed by Kaela Kimura's latest song at #4. Choshinsung, TUBE, and Sata Andagi entered the charts in the #7 to #9 spots.
On the album charts, Mr.Children's "SENSE" held on to the #1 seat for the second straight week, selling an additional 95,000 copies. This brings its current sales total to 597,000.
A few new albums made the top ten, coming from Dragon Ash (#7), Yuna Ito (#8), INFINITY16 (#9), and GARNET CROW (#10).
The overall DVD charts were led by SMAP's "We are SMAP! 2010 CONCERT DVD" at a pace of 164,000 copies in its first week. This is SMAP's 2nd consecutive DVD (and 5th in total) to reach #1 in the overall DVD rankings. In just the music DVD category, this is their 6th consecutive #1.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Actor Mizushima's award-winning novel hits bookstores
Thursday 16th December, 03:21 AM JST
TOKYO —
An award-winning novel written by actor Hiro Mizushima hit bookstores across Japan on Wednesday, luring book lovers and Mizushima fans. ‘‘Kagerou,’’ the first work the actor wrote under his real name Tomohiro Saito, sheds light on the meaning of life by depicting a suicidal man who has lost his job and money.
A 28-year-old woman who purchased a copy at a bookstore in Tokyo’s Yurakucho district on her way to work said, ‘‘I bought it because it was introduced on TV programs and much talked about.’’ Poplar Publishing Co in Tokyo has already printed over 430,000 copies, which it says is an unusually high number before the release, after giving Mizushima this year’s grand prize in its annual novel competition.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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Aya Ueto is commercial queen for 2nd year in a row
Thursday 16th December, 06:30 AM JST
TOKYO —
Aya Ueto is Japan’s TV commercial queen for the second straight year, according to media research company Nihon Monitor. Ueto, 25, topped the chart by advertising for 13 companies this year.
Ueto has been involved in a number of campaigns that have run for more than a year, including those for Softbank’s famous Shirato family series in which the paternal figure is played by a white dog, and suit company Aoki. The data suggested that Ueto’s high visibility in commercials has made her a familiar face to most of the nation.
Actresses held all three of the top positions in the ranking with Saki Aibu, 25, second with appearances in ads for 12 companies this year, and Aoi Miyazaki, 25, coming in third with 11. Riding the wave of success that followed the release of their album “Beginner” in November, eight members of pop group AKB48 also ranked highly, including Yuko Oshima, 22, and Atsuko Maeda, 19.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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Musicians Offer Miyazaki a Helping Hand
December 16, 2010
Pop duo Kobukuro (photo left) and musician couple Imai Miki (47, right) and Hotei Tomoyasu (48, center) have made a cash donation of more than ¥10 million to Miyazaki Prefecture, it was announced yesterday. The artists collaborated on the song "Taiyo no Melody" and donated earnings to support people in the prefecture who suffered financial damage due to this year's outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the local cattle population. Imai, a former idol singer who is married to former Boowy guitarist Hotei, is a native of the Miyazaki town of Takanabe, while Kobukuro's Kobuchi Kentaro (33) hails from Miyazaki City.
April's foot-and-mouth outbreak, the worst the country has ever seen, made national headlines and was a major blow for Miyazaki's meat industry and the economy of the region. The prefecture's popular governor Higashikokubaru Hideo declared a state of emergency, asking people living in the affected and surrounding areas to refrain from going out unless absolutely necessary. Hundreds of thousands of livestock were killed by the disease or slaughtered in containing it.
Source: www.japan-zone.com |
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Manami Higa to star in "Dondo Bare" sequel
Wed, December 15, 2010 (11:53am EST)
NHK is reviving its 2007 morning drama series "Dondo Bare" with a sequel that will be aired as a special program next year. Production on the show was announced at a press conference on Wednesday, attended by the drama's lead actress, Manami Higa (24).
"Dondo Bare" averaged 19.4% ratings during its original broadcast run. Higa starred as a young woman named Natsumi who was raised in Yokohama but ends up becoming the head okami of a long-established inn in the Iwate prefecture.
The new drama takes place some time after the original story, though details have not yet been revealed. NHK plans to broadcast the show on its satellite channel BS Premium, which begins operation in April 2011.
NHK recently announced that its three satellite channels BS1, BS2, and BShi (HD) are being consolidated into two HD channels known as BS1 and BS Premium.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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GQ Japan's Men of the Year 2010 includes Osamu Mukai, Yasushi Akimoto, Keisuke Honda
Wed, December 15, 2010 (1:18pm EST)
GQ Japan has announced the recipients of its 2010 Men of the Year awards. The eight men selected include popular young actor Osamu Mukai (28), who had a breakout year thanks to several movie and television roles, especially the hit series "Gegege no Nyoubou."
The eight Men of the Year are:
Keisuke Honda (pro soccer player)
Masayoshi Son (CEO of SoftBank)
Yasushi Akimoto (lyricist and AKB48 producer)
Ryue Nishizawa (architect and founder of SANAA)
Teruyuki Kagawa (actor)
Soichi Noguchi (JAXA astronaut)
Hakuho (sumo wrestler)
Osamu Mukai (actor)
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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SNSD to appear as guests in "Sazae-san" drama special
Wed, December 15, 2010 (7:33pm EST)
Korean girl group SNSD will have a guest appearance in the upcoming "Sazae-san" drama special, airing at the start of next year. This will be the group's first time in a Japanese television drama.
Details about the special were first announced last month. It is the third one to star Alisa Mizuki (34) as Sazae-san, and the returning cast includes Tsurutaro Kataoka (55) as Sazae-san's father Namihei. In the episode, SNSD will appear as cute golf caddies in Namihei's first dream of the new year.
Fuji TV will broadcast the episode on January 2nd at 6:30pm.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Tetsuji Tamayama, Chiaki Kuriyama end their relationship
Wed, December 15, 2010 (8:06pm EST)
 
Actor Tetsuji Tamayama (30) and actress Chiaki Kuriyama (26) have broken up, it is being reported. Troubles apparently began this fall, with their busy schedules keeping the two apart more and more.
Rumors that the two were in a relationship surfaced last November, when they were seen returning to Tamayama's apartment after a dinner date. In July of this year, a magazine reported that the two were partly living together, as Kuriyama was frequently seen entering and leaving Tamayama's apartment building.
However, Kuriyama's work as a singer has been increasing, and Tamayama has been busy with a stream of television dramas. As a result, the two have apparently been spending more time apart, and they decided to end their relationship.
Neither side has confirmed the breakup. Tamayama's agency indicated that it does not have information about his private life, while Kuriyama's agency similarly declined to comment.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Movie sequels announced for "Amalfi" and "Kaiji"
Wed, December 15, 2010 (8:45pm EST)
On Wednesday, film distributor Toho announced its upcoming lineup, including the new work that was revealed by Studio Ghibli. Although most of the lineup was already known, the list revealed at least two previously unannounced movies: "Gaikoukan Kuroda Kosaku" and "Kaiji 2" (both are working titles).
"Gaikoukan Kuroda Kosaku" is a sequel to last year's hit "Amalfi: Megami no Hoshu," starring Yuji Oda as a diplomat. It was learned a few months ago that Oda would reprise the role for a television series also titled "Gaikoukan Kuroda Kosaku," scheduled to begin airing in January. It appears that the movie will be a continuation of that story, and it is expected to open in theaters during summer 2011.
"Kaiji 2" is also a sequel to a 2009 movie. The first "Kaiji" film starred Tatsuya Fujiwara, who will again play the lead in the new one. Both are based on the gambling-themed manga "Tobaku Mokushiroku Kaiji" by Nobuyuki Fukumoto. "Kaiji 2" has been scheduled for release in autumn 2011.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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TOKIO's Taichi Kokubun preparing for marriage?
Wed, December 15, 2010 (12:11pm EST)
The Sports Nippon newspaper is speculating that TOKIO member Taichi Kokubun (36) may be getting married next year, based on the fact that his girlfriend is leaving her job at the end of this month. Multiple sources close to the woman have told the newspaper that she appears to be preparing for marriage.
Kokubun publicly revealed his relationship in a magazine interview in May 2009. Since May 2008, he has been dating a woman three years younger than him, described as resembling actress Saki Aibu (25). At that time, Kokubun had hinted that he was considering marriage in the future.
The woman currently works at a television station, though her job does not involve production on shows. A source at the station says she has already submitted her resignation and will finish at the end of this month.
One source says her reason for quitting is that she plans to enter graduate school. In the past, she was in charge of an environment-related project, and through that she became interested in studying environmental issues.
However, other people familiar with the woman indicate that she seems to be getting ready for marriage. One of her friends has also said that she was seen wearing a sparkling ring on her left ring finger.
At the moment, there is no confirmation of the rumor from Kokubun or his management.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Studio Ghibli's 2011 film to be "Kokuriku-Zaka Kara" by Goro Miyazaki
Wed, December 15, 2010 (12:53pm EST)
On Wednesday, Studio Ghibli announced its next film, scheduled for summer 2011. The movie will be an adaptation of the shojo manga "Kokuriku-Zaka Kara," created by Chizuru Takahashi and Tetsuro Sayama. The director will be Hayao Miyazaki's son Goro, who previously made his debut with "Tales from Earthsea" ("Gedo Senki") in 2006.
Studio Ghibli producer Toshio Suzuki made the announcement with a message to Goro: "For a director, your second work is important because your true measure is shown. Your first one includes beginner's luck."
"Kokuriku-Zaka Kara" was originally serialized in Kodansha's Nakayoshi magazine in 1980. The Studio Ghibli version is set in 1963 Yokohama and focuses on a young girl named Komatsuzaki, whose family runs a lodging house. The film depicts her everyday life with the other students at her high school, including the student council president and the head of the newspaper.
Although the movie is slated for summer 2011, Suzuki said that production is very much behind schedule, and it is currently in the final storyboarding stages. Hayao is involved with the script, and Suzuki is producing. The theme song will be sung by Aoi Teshima, who sang the theme song for "Tales of Earthsea" (she also starred as the voice of Therru).
During the announcement, Suzuki talked about Studio Ghibli's "5-year plan," which the older Miyazaki showed him at the end of last year. According to that plan, the movies in the first three years would be given to younger talents, while the last two years would be very big projects. The plan has already begun, with Hiromasa Yonebayashi's work on "Karigurashi no Arrietty" marking the first of the five years. "Kokuriku-Zaka Kara" will be the second.
The movie's official website has also launched with more details.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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DJs' darkest hour: Indestructible eventually meant irrelevant for Technics turntable
By James Coulson
TOKYO —
The Technics SL-1200 turntable is to dance music what the Fender Stratocaster is to rock: the key to a musical and cultural explosion. There’s even a pair of the iconic decks on display at the Science Museum in London, where they’re hailed as an invention that shaped the world.
It’s weird to think that hip-hop, house and techno wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for some Japanese engineers on a quest to build a hi-fi for the audiophile market. But the uncluttered Technics SL-1200, with its high-torque electromagnetic motor, pitch adjust, precision tone arm and ability to take whatever abuse was thrown at it, was form and function in harmony. From its 1972 debut on, the SL-1200—particularly in its MK2 incarnation—became the bedrock of sound systems at the world’s best clubs. It served as a platform for people like Grandmaster Flash to discover how to scratch records, and folks like Larry Levan to beat-match them.
When CDJs established themselves in clubland in the mid-’90s, rumors began to circulate about the imminent demise of Technics turntables. It would end up taking a lot longer than that, but after 38 years and 3.5 million units sold, the day that vinyl DJs and turntablists always feared has finally come: the SL-1200 range is going the way of the dodo.
In a sad irony, the sheer durability of the decks has meant that they’ve outlived the companies that manufacture their otherwise redundant parts. Manufacturer Panasonic cited the increasing difficulty of sourcing analog components—the same ones it had been using since the beginning, in order not to compromise on quality—and a 90% drop in sales over the last decade as reasons for discontinuing its iconic product.
If the Technics SL-1200s and their accompanying 10kg record bags are the Sony Walkman and cassette box, then the laptop and its Traktor DJ software is the iPod. The latter is smaller, lighter, more convenient… but does it really sound better? And more importantly, has it got soul?
That’s a question which will soon have to be answered. Jeff Mills will be deftly mixing three decks at once for a few years yet, but the next generation of DJs won’t be starting out on turntables. In the hyper-competitive world of DMC scratch contests, the DJ Kentaro-style champion of the future will be cutting up a selection of digital WAV files on a virtual “scratch pad.”
Ultimately, Technics turntables were a victim of two things: the digital revolution and their own success. They’re so good that if you buy a pair, you’ll never need to replace them—and therein lies the problem.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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NTV's Yukari Nishio voted best female announcer
Friday 17th December, 03:43 AM JST
TOKYO —
Nihon Television’s Yukari Nishio has been voted the “best female announcer” in ranking site Oricon Style’s seventh annual poll for that category. She is the first not employed by Fuji Television to take the top spot in the poll’s history.
A 2001 graduate of Tokyo Women’s Christian College, Nishio, 33, hosts a variety of programs on the NTV network, including “Zoom in! Super” and “Sekai Marumie.” In choosing Nishio, poll participants cited her breezy style and solid commentary.
Nishio married a former commercial planner in September and there was some rumor that she would be next in a spate of departures from NTV.
Fuji TV’s Minako Nakano ranked number two. Female respondents said they felt she had grown into a woman since her recent marriage.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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Author
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