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Japanese Entertainment News & Info HERE! [part IV]
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Publisher sued over unauthorized use of idol images
Mon, December 20, 2010 (9:29am EST)
On Monday, a lawsuit was filed with the Tokyo District Court on behalf of 21 female celebrities against Kasakura Publishing, alleging infringement on their right to publicity. The lawsuit was announced by the Japan Association of Music Enterprises (JAME), whose members include the 14 management agencies that represent the 21 women.
Among the celebrities involved are Haruka Ayase, Kyoko Fukada, and AKB48 member Atsuko Maeda. According to the lawsuit, Kasakura Publishing released five issues of a magazine related to its ENJOY MAX magazine, and those issues consisted almost entirely of private photos and previously published shots from photobooks and gravure magazines, all of which Kasakura Publishing was unauthorized to use.
The lawsuit is seeking approximately 23 million yen in damages.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Seishiro Kato gets first musical role in "Les Miserables"
Mon, December 20, 2010 (10:16am EST)
Popular child actor Seishiro Kato (9) will take on his first role in a stage musical, it has been learned. The musical will be none other than the famous "Les Miserables," and he is one of three boys cast as the street urchin Gavroche.
The first performance of "Les Miserables" in Japan was in 1987, and it has been seen by an estimated 3.2 million people in the country since then. For the stage company Toho, "Les Miserables" has been performed almost 2,500 times, making it their most-performed musical of all time.
Kato made his singing debut in 2009 with the song "Katsuobushi da yo Jinsei wa." However, he had to seriously focus on voice training for about a month before the "Les Miserables" auditions. He was chosen for the part earlier this month, from a pool of roughly 120 people. The role is said to have a solo number.
The musical is being performed between April 12 and June 12 at the Imperial Garden Theater, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary. The official website has the full cast and more information.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Chage and Aska's "C-46" goes from song to manga to drama
Mon, December 20, 2010 (11:57am EST)
"C-46 Seiun," a special spin-off story to Kenshi Hirokane's manga series "Tasogare Ryuseigun" ("Like Shooting Stars in the Twilight"), is being turned into a television drama.
"C-46" is originally a song released by CHAGE and ASKA in 2001, but ASKA covered it for his solo album "Kimi no Shiranai Kimi no Uta," released on November 3 of this year. At the time the album was announced, it was decided that Hirokane would turn "C-46" into a story as part of "Tasogare Ryuseigun." The manga began serialization in November, just after the album's release.
"C-46 Seiun" is about a salaryman who was once the vocalist of a popular band. When one of his former bandmates passes away, he runs into a former lover.
The drama's broadcast is planned for spring 2011, but details such as the cast are still unknown at the moment.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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AKB48 dating game reaches 250,000 reserved copies
Mon, December 20, 2010 (12:46pm EST)
The AKB48 virtual dating game "AKB 1/48 Idol to Koi Shitara..." (PlayStation Portable) is being released this week on December 23, but it has just been learned that the game has already reached 250,000 reserved copies. At this pace, it is predicted that the game will eventually sell at least 500,000 copies.
"AKB 1/48 Idol to Koi Shitara..." was initially unveiled in September. As the first official video game focused on the group itself, it allows players to virtually confess their love to one of the 48 members and turn down the rest of the girls. The game includes thousands of images and more than 80 minutes of video, with all of the girls' lines recorded to audio.
As of December 16, one week before the game's release, it was confirmed that there have been 250,000 copies reserved. According to one industry source, games that get more than 100,000 reservations are typically very popular ones that are recognizable by everyone. 100,000 copies sold is generally considered a "hit," while 200,000 is a "big hit." On that scale, 500,000 copies is a "mega hit." For a niche game like this, already reaching 250,000 copies is highly extraodinary, especially for a game that isn't a sequel in an already popular series.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Kanjani8 to sing two theme songs for "Crayon Shin-chan"
Mon, December 20, 2010 (1:01pm EST)
 
During their concert at Tokyo Dome on Sunday, Kanjani8 announced that they will be doing two theme songs for the "Crayon Shin-chan" anime franchise - one for the television series, and one for the upcoming movie "Crayon Shin-chan: Arashi wo Yobu Ougon no Spy Daisakusen" (April 16). This is the first time in "Crayon Shin-chan" history that an artist has sung for the television series and one of the movies at the same time.
For Kanjani8, this is also their first time handling the theme song for a film. The group just did their first drama theme song earlier this year, when they sang "LIFE ~Me no Mae no Mukou e~" for the show "GM Odore Doctor."
The titles of the songs have not yet been announced. The song for the television series will start being used in February.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Aqua Timez teams up with "Naruto" and Uniqlo
Mon, December 20, 2010 (1:24pm EST)
Rock band Aqua Timez will be part of a collaboration between the "Naruto" anime series and fashion retailer Uniqlo. Their new song "Mayonaka no Orchestra" will be the theme song of an original animation being given away to buyers of the "Naruto x Uniqlo" T-shirts that go on sale on January 1.
Uniqlo's T-shirt brand has collaborated with other anime franchises before, including "One Piece," but these will be the first ones featuring "Naruto." Out of the 11 different patterns being released in stores nationwide, two were drawn by mangaka Masashi Kishimoto himself, and five were done by Studio Pierrot.
A limited number of people who buy the T-shirts will receive a "NARUTO x UT Original DVD," containing a newly animated work. A special version of Aqua Timez's "Mayonaka no Orchestra" (titled "Mayonaka no Orchestra UNIQLO x NARUTO ver.") will be its theme song. Only 200,000 copies of the DVD are being produced, and they will be available not only in Japan, but also in stores in Taiwan, Singapore, Korea, and France.
"Mayonaka no Orchestra" has also been chosen as the next ending theme of the "Naruto: Shippuden" television series. The song will be released as a single on January 26.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Natsuki Mizu stars in "Sumire Labo" stage play and drama
Mon, December 20, 2010 (2:07pm EST)
Former Takarazuka top star Natsuki Mizu (38) is starring in a new multimedia project called "SUMIRE LABO - Sumire Deka no Hanasaku Jikenbo," which involves a novel series, a television and DVD drama, and a stage play. The project marks Mizu's first appearance in a play since leaving the Takarazuka Revue in September and her first ever starring role in a drama.
"SUMIRE LABO" is based on the new mystery novel series "Sumire Deka no Hanasaku Jikenbo" by Hikari Ishidaira. The story revolves around the single and stylish Sumire Ihara, around the age of 40 but still an extremely capable police detective. Mizu's co-stars for the stage version are Hidenori Tokuyama (28), Masei Nakayama (21), and Haruhiko Jo.
The first novel in the series has just gone on sale, and the next three volumes will be released every other month.
The drama version of the story will begin with an "Episode Zero" on Fuji TV's satellite channels (Fuji TV ONE, Fuji TV TWO, Fuji TV NEXT) in March, followed by a series of four DVDs in May.
The stage version will also be performed in May, going to Tokyo (May 2-7), Osaka (May 12-15), and Nagoya (May 17-18).
The project has launched an official website.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Warner Music's new label unBORDE launches with Shinsei Kamattechan, RIP SLYME, Kusuo
Mon, December 20, 2010 (7:58pm EST)
Warner Music Japan has announced the creation of a new label called unBORDE. The label is described as having a theme of "trendy" and "edgy," and it is said that unBORDE plans to cultivate artists who have potential for overseas activities.
  http://upload.indomp3z.us/pics/2010/1274857663/Q;indivi%20-%20ACASIA.jpg    
At the label's launch, its roster will consist of Shinsei Kamattechan, androp, Q;indivi+, Kusuo, Natsuko Kondo, Yu Takahashi, and RIP SLYME. The label's first release will be Shinsei Kamattechan's new album "Tsumanne," on sale December 22.
 
In addition, a management division called unBORDE ARTISTA is also being launched. MEG, who was previously with Universal Music, has moved to Warner and will be managed by unBORDE ARTISTA. Singer Cocco has also been signed to the company.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Hiroshi Tamaki stars in new adaptation of Seicho Matsumoto's "Suna no Utsuwa"
Mon, December 20, 2010 (8:11pm EST)
Seicho Matsumoto's suspenseful masterpiece "Suna no Utsuwa" ("Castle of Sand") is being adapted as a television drama again, this time starring actor Hiroshi Tamaki (30). The novel was adapted to film in 1974 (starring Tetsuro Tamba) and has been dramatized for television four times already, but this will be the first one told from the perspective of the character Hiroshi Yoshimura.
"Suna no Utsuwa" is the story of a veteran detective named Eitaro Imanishi and a tenacious young detective named Hiroshi Yoshimura, who are assigned to solve a murder case. While the previous adaptations have primarily focused on Imanishi, this new version will have Yoshimura as the central character, played by Tamaki.
The drama is planned to be broadcast on TV Asahi as a two-episode mini-series, airing on consecutive nights next spring.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Eiji Okuda, Kengo Kora star in drama special "Beat"
Mon, December 20, 2010 (8:37pm EST)
Actor and filmmaker Eiji Okuda (60) will direct and star in a drama special called "Beat" next year. He has previously directed four films, including the award-winning 2006 movie "A Long Walk" ("Nagai Sanpo"), but this will be his first time in charge of a television drama.
"Beat" is based on a novel of the same name by author Bin Konno, first published in 2000. Okuda plays a police detective investigating a bank accounting fraud and a subsequent murder. When his own rebellious son, played by Kengo Kora (23), emerges as a suspect, the case threatens to tear apart their family's bonds.
Naoto Ogata (43) and Erina Mizuno (17) have also been cast.
WOWOW will broadcast the drama on February 13, 2011.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Film sheds light on mother of sculptor Isamu Noguchi
TOKYO —
A film about the younger days of Japanese-American sculptor Isamu Noguchi through the eyes of his mother has hit theaters across Japan.
The film ‘‘Leonie,’’ directed by Japanese filmmaker Hisako Matsui, depicts the story of Noguchi and his American mother Leonie Gilmour, a journalist who fell in love with a Japanese poet but went through a heartbreaking separation in the early 20th century.
Matsui was inspired by Noguchi’s biography written by Masayo Duus. Matsui describes Gilmour as an educated, open-minded and courageous woman full of curiosity about the world in and outside the United States.
Gilmour met Japanese poet Yonejiro Noguchi in New York and started to help publish his poems in English. Through the artistic process, it did not take long before the two started up an international romance, rare at the time.
But when Gilmour told Yonejiro she was expecting their baby, he did not accept it and returned home by himself. Gilmour raised young Isamu in California with her mother but a few years later she decided to reunite Isamu with his father in Japan.
To her huge disappointment, however, she found that Yonejiro was already married to a Japanese woman in Tokyo and also had a mistress. Gilmour left Yonejiro and started teaching English to intellectuals and military officers to make ends meet.
The mother and son moved to Chigasaki, a coastal town south of Tokyo, where Isamu already started to show his artistic talent when he designed his first work—their house.
While in Japan, she had a second baby with her Japanese student of English, whose identity is not disclosed in the film. Again, she raises her as a single mother.
‘‘There are no boundaries for artists. There are no borders,’’ Gilmour kept encouraging her son, who felt torn between both sides of the Pacific.
‘‘The art is your weapon and your voice,’’ Gilmour also said, in words critics say show her eternal love for Yonejiro as it was art that brought them together and can be a message to their son, Isamu.
But as World War I continued, Gilmour made up her mind to let Isamu return to the United States in 1918 to help him escape Japan’s military draft. Isamu first took up medicine at Columbia University, but later he finally decided to live as a sculptor.
After World War II he became a prolific artist who left works ranging from furniture, theatrical stage sets, stone carvings and monuments and parks in many parts of the world, a move critics say reflected his struggles to search for a resting place before he died in 1988.
In Japan, his most noted works include a monument in Hiroshima, depicting a bridge, for the victims of the U.S. atomic bombing. A huge fountain in Moerenuma Park in Sapporo is another masterpiece of his.
British-born actress Emily Mortimer who appeared in films including ‘‘Shutter Island’’ and ‘‘Match Point’’ plays Gilmour while Japanese Kabuki actor Nakamura Shido plays Yonejiro.
The theme music was composed by Polish-born Oscar winner Jan Kaczmarek while attire designer Kazuko Kurosawa, the eldest daughter of Japanese film giant Akira Kurosawa, also contributed to the film by arranging kimono costumes.
The film is being screened at Tokyo’s Kadokawa Cinema Shinjuku and other theaters nationwide.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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Norika Fujiwara gives Red Cross talk at primary school
Wednesday 22nd December, 06:55 AM JST
TOKYO —
Norika Fujiwara, 39, who is a special ambassador for the Japan Red Cross, gave a talk to a group of sixth graders at Shinjuku
Okubo Elementary School in Tokyo this week. She told the students about her 2009 trip to Kenya. “Seeing so many newborn babies
die was extremely shocking,” she said.
Fujiwara told the children that even if a person’s country, language or skin color is different, there is no difference in the preciousness of that individual’s life. “I want you to imagine what you would do if you had been born into that situation,” she told the students.
She then read from a picture book about Jean Henri Dunant, often referred to as the father of the Red Cross. When one child asked her why she had become a special ambassador for the Red Cross, Fujiwara recalled the Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995. “In the aftermath of the earthquake, I saw many celebrities go to Hyogo to help cheer people up, and everywhere they went, faces lit up. I suddenly realized how much power celebrities have, and that even in dire situations, helping people laugh or be happy, even for a moment, is a good thing.”
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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AKB48 breaks record in Japan with five consecutive #1 hit singles
December 21, 2010 by J!-ENT
Popular all-female group AKB48 has now broken a record in Japan by becoming the first female group with five consecutive #1 hit singles in Japan. The previous record was held by Pink Lady back in 1978.
The group was also entered in the Guinness Book of World Records this year for pop group with the greatest number of members.
Source: www.nt2099.com/J-ENT |
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Mai Kuraki receives "Best Character Award" from Kodansha
Tue, December 21, 2010 (9:28am EST)
The annual Kodansha Advertising Award was presented on Tuesday, and this year saw the creation of a "Best Character Award." The prize winner was singer Mai Kuraki (28).
The Best Character Award was chosen by the editors of six of Kodansha's female-oriented magazines, including VoCE, with, and FRaU. The award is meant to honor a person who is loved by magazine readers and has contributed to the magazines' advertising efforts.
Kuraki's latest magazine appearance is in the February issue of VoCE, which went on sale on December 21.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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"Sakura no Ame" band Absorb breaks up
Tue, December 21, 2010 (9:59am EST)
The 3-member band absorb announced on Monday that they are breaking up. The members stated that they will continue their musical careers separately.
The band consisted of vocalist/keyboardist Haruyoshi "Halyosy" Mori, vocalist/guitarist Shota "Showta" Sasahara, and guitarist Hiroshi Nakamura. They became known as absorb in 2005, and they made their major label debut under Nippon Crown in 2008 with the single "Sakura no Ame." That song became a hit online after they submitted a version of it sung by Vocaloid character Hatsune Miku to the video site Nico Nico Douga. In the spring of 2009, "Sakura no Ame" was a popular choice in schools as a graduation song.
During the two years after their major label debut, they released a total of three singles, one album, and one mini-album.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Kazumasa Oda announces massive tour for 2011
Tue, December 21, 2010 (10:17am EST)
Singer-songwriter Kazumasa Oda (63) has announced a big concert tour for next year, comprising 53 shows at 26 venues nationwide. The tour also includes performances at the 5 major domes, which will improve his record as the oldest solo artist to do a "5 domes" tour.
Oda's 2008 tour set a record at the time for the biggest tour by a male solo artist, with a total capacity of 530,000 people. This tour will surpass even that, accommodating 700,000 people.
The tour will begin on March 26, 2011.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Details of Hitoshi Matsumoto's third film revealed
Tue, December 21, 2010 (8:26pm EST)
Comedian Hitoshi Matsumoto (47) of the duo Downtown is working on a jidaigeki film for his next directorial effort, it has been learned. The movie seems to be titled "Saya Zamurai," and he has been secretly shooting the film since October.
Matsumoto made his debut as a director with "Dainipponjin" in 2007, and he followed up with "Symbol" in 2009. It was revealed a couple months ago that he was working on his third movie, but few details were available at the time.
The story revolves around a retired samurai named Nomi Kanjuro and his rebellious daughter Tae. Although the film may seem like a typical jidaigeki work on the surface, it will certainly be injected with Matsumoto's sense of humor.
As previously revealed, the lead role of Kanjuro has been given to amateur Takaaki Nomi (53), who currently works as a bartender in Shinjuku but has previously appeared on Matsumoto's variety show "Hataraku Ossan Gekijo." The role of Tae will be played by child actress Sea Kumada (9), who has acted in shows such as "Dousoukai" and "Orthros no Inu." Unlike his previous films, Matsumoto does not plan to act in the movie.
Matsumoto became a father last year, which likely influenced his decision to do a story about the relationship between a father and daughter.
Filming is expected to continue until mid-January. The production team is reportedly hoping to have the film ready for potential screenings at international film festivals such as Cannes.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Kouhaku Uta Gassen song list announced
Tue, December 21, 2010 (8:35am EST)
NHK has announced the song list for this year's Kouhaku Uta Gassen. Some notable facts are that eight of the groups will be performing medleys, and Mitsuko Nakamura will be singing "Kawachi Otoko Bushi" for the 8th time, which is a record for the show.
The performance order has not yet been announced. Artists are listed in Japanese alphabetical order.
Red Team:
aiko - Mukai Awase
Angela Aki - Kagayaku Hito
Ikimono Gakari - Arigatou
Sayuri Ishikawa - Amagi Goe
Kana Uemura - Toilet no Kamisama
AKB48 - Kouhaku 2010 AKB48 Kamikyoku SP
Miyuki Kawanaka - Nirinkusa
Kumiko - INORI
Kumi Koda - KODA KUMI 2010 Special Medley
Natsuko Godai - Hitori Zake
Sachiko Kobayashi - Kaachan no Hitorigoto
Fuyumi Sakamoto - Mata Kimi ni Koishiteru
Yoshimi Tendo - Jinsei Michizure
DREAMS COME TRUE - Ikite Yuku no Desu feat. The Kouhaku Special Brass Band
Mitsuko Nakamura - Kawachi Otoko Bushi
Kana Nishino - Best Friend
Ayumi Hamasaki - Virgin Road
Perfume - Nee
Ayaka Hirahara - Voyagers
Nana Mizuki - PHANTOM MINDS
Kaori Mizumori - Matsushima Kikou
Akiko Wada - AKKOii! Kouhaku 2010 Special
White Team:
Arashi - 2010 Kouhaku Original Medley
Hiroshi Itsuki - Oshiroi Hana
HY - Toki wo Koe
EXILE - I Wish For You
NYC - Yoku Asobi Yoku Manabe 100% NYC
Yuzo Kayama - Wakadaisho 50 Nen Special Medley
Saburo Kitajima - Fusetsu Nagare Tabi
Hiromi Go - GO!GO!Year Kouhaku Special Medley
Kobukuro - Ryusei
SMAP - This is love '10 SP Medley
TOKIO - advance
Hideaki Tokunaga - Toki no Nagare ni Mi wo Makase
AAA - Aitai Riyuu
Kiyoshi Hikawa - Nijiiro no Bayon
FUNKY MONKEY BABYS - Ato Hitotsu
Masaharu Fukuyama - Michishirube
flumpool - Kimi ni Todoke
Takashi Hosokawa - Naniwabushi da yo Jinsei wa
Porno Graffitti - Kimi wa 100%
Shinichi Mori - Erimo Misaki
Yusuke - Hito
L'Arc~en~Ciel - BLESS
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Shonentai's Katsuhide Uekusa divorces after 16 years
Tue, December 21, 2010 (7:27pm EST)
Shonentai member Katsuhide Uekusa (44) is now divorced after more than 16 years of marriage, it has been learned. Uekusa revealed the news in an exclusive interview in Josei Seven, and it has been confirmed by his management agency, Johnny's Jimusho.
Uekusa got married in July 1994 to his wife Chieko (43), who was once a model. The two had already been dating for 10 years before that, having known each other since high school (they were one school year apart). Together, they have two kids - 15-year-old Yuta, who is also part of Johnny's, and a 13-year-old daughter.
In the interview, Uekusa explained that differences in their outlooks and personalities had surfaced, leading them to divorce. As an example, Uekusa is the type to invite his juniors to the house, while Chieko wanted to spend time only with the family. Many such small things added up, and their differences became too great. In June of this year, Chieko left the house with the two children and started living separately. After negotiation over child support and other matters, they officially divorced in early December.
Uekusa said that he had not consulted the other two members of Shonentai beforehand, since Noriyuki Higashiyama (44) just got married in October and Uekusa did not want to dampen the joy.
Johnny's Jimusho has commented on the article, saying that the statements are true. No press conference is planned.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Jun Natsukawa opts for traditional New Year's day wedding
Thursday 23rd December, 03:56 AM JST
TOKYO —
Model and “talent” Jun Natsukawa, 30, soon to be wed, was a guest model at the 2010 Tokyo Bridal Fest this week. Appearing in a wedding dress, she told reporters, “I wanted to represent all the happy couples here. This is the first time I’ve tried on a wedding dress!”
She said she will register her marriage on New Year’s day. Her fiance, 28, is someone outside Japanese celebrity circles. “My fiance is very traditional, so I thought New Year was a better choice than Christmas.” Natsukawa said she invited her husband to the event, but he declined, telling her he wanted to wait until their wedding day to see her in a wedding dress.
Natsukawa said their honeymoon will likely be in America or Italy.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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Author
![[JTBC/Netflix 2024] A VIRTUOUS BUSINESS - Kim So Yeon, Yeon Woo Jin, Kim Sung Ryung, Kim Sun Young, Lee Se Hee ~ 12 October 2024](https://uf.cari.com.my/forumx/mforum/block/96/9641c26a6a1797bd972182a99a492262.jpg)
