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Japanese Entertainment News & Info HERE! [part III]
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news: artiste
Illness forces Utada to postpone U.S. visit
Tue, May 12, 2009 (12:45am EDT)
Utada.com announced on Monday that singer Hikaru Utada is postponing the in-store visits planned this week. Utada, who releases her new album "This Is The One" in the U.S. on Tuesday, had scheduled promotional visits in New York, Universal City, San Francisco, Seattle, and Honolulu from Tuesday to Saturday.
According to the message on the website, Utada has "been diagnosed with an acute case of left relapsing peritonsillitis." She had intended to fly into the U.S. on Monday, but doctors advised her not to travel and not to use her voice for the next couple weeks.
A representative said that Utada plans to reschedule her promotional activities.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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news: idol
Ex-Morning Musume idol Yaguchi hopes to have twins with non-Japanese man
Monday 11th May, 09:24 AM JST
TOKYO —
Mari Yaguchi, a former member of the all-girl pop group Morning Musume, said she looks forward to getting married one day and having twins. ‘‘I’d like to have twins with a non-Japanese man,’’ Yaguchi, 26, said during a recent event in Tokyo in which she was promoting a new line of hamburgers and doughnuts alongside former Morning Musume star Nozomi Tsuji, 21. ‘‘But I don’t feel any pressure to get married,’’ Yaguchi said.
Tsuji, who is already married and has a daughter, advised Yaguchi to try harder to if she wants to find a husband, saying, ‘‘Otherwise, you could be waiting forever.’’ Mos Food Services Inc, the operator of the Mos Burger chain, and Mister Donut, a confectionary and cafe unit of Duskin Co, developed the new hamburger-looking doughnuts and doughnut-looking hamburgers, under a project called ‘‘Mosdo!’’ A TV commercial in which Yaguchi and Tsuji promote the new treats will start to air Tuesday.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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news: celebrities
Veteran actor Kitaoji promotes U.S. film on Hachiko
Wednesday 13th May, 03:12 AM JST
TOKYO —
Veteran actor Kinya Kitaoji and actress Miki Maya on Tuesday promoted the planned release in Japan of the U.S. film ‘‘Hachi,’’ which they dubbed into Japanese, based on a true story of a Japanese dog. ‘‘I became very nervous about possibly ruining the atmosphere of what was a very well made film,’’ Kitaoji said, referring to his voice-over for the main character played by Richard Gere.
Kitaoji and Maya took part in a ceremony to unveil an 88-centimeter-high model of the dog ‘‘Hachi’’ together with children in Tokyo’s Daiba district. The dog, more widely known as ‘‘Hachiko’’ in Japan, is known for its loyalty to its owner who used Shibuya Station in the 1920s. It kept waiting for its master near the station even after he had died. The film will be released in Japan in August.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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news: mangaka
Students to promote manga giant Tezuka's hometown Takarazuka
Wednesday 13th May, 05:15 AM JST
KOBE —
Two female students have been designated as ‘‘tourism ambassadors’’ to promote the city of Takarazuka, the hometown of the legendary ‘‘manga’’ comic artist Osamu Tezuka, in Hyogo Prefecture. Hiroko Sadato, 24, of the graduate school of Osaka University, and Ayuko Sogo, 20, of Kyoto University, will take part in various tourism-related events until March 2011 donning costumes of the main character of the ‘‘Ribon no Kishi’’ (Princess Knight), one of Tezuka’s signature works.
Sadato and Sogo will be called Sapphire, the name of the princess in the story which was published in the 1950s and 1960s, during such events. The two were handpicked from among 46 applicants, city officials said.
‘‘I will cheer up Takarazuka,’’ Sadato said, while Sogo said, ‘‘I will play this big role with a big smile.’’
The story depicts a fictitious princess who is raised as a prince to succeed to the throne and fights her opponents as ‘‘a knight.’’
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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news: CM
Wakame-chan from animation 'Sazae-san' becomes elevator girl in new Glico commercial
Wednesday 13th May, 07:00 AM JST
TOKYO —
Osaka-based confectionery company Ezaki Glico, manufacturer of popular chocolate biscuit snack Pocky, started airing its fourth installment of commercials for “Almond Premium” and “Dear cacao” products on Tuesday. The commercial series - “The Isono Family 25 years onwards” - depict the adult lives of Katsuo and Wakame Isono, who are the younger brother and younger sister of Sazae-san in the original animation series.
Actress Rie Miyazawa, 36, and actor Tadanobu Asano, 35, play the roles of Wakame and Katsuo respectively. In the latest installment, Wakame has landed a job as an “elevator lady” in an old department store – a store she frequented in the original series. Katsuo has become a bit of a sportsman, and is seen doing some physical training, pulling a tire across the ground at a field alongside a river. The commercial also features the pair talking at home, still getting along well.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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news: music chart
Charts: Tackey takes #1
Wed, May 13, 2009 (2:51am EDT)
Tackey & Tsubasa member Hideaki Takizawa released his second solo single last week, titled "Sha La La / Mugen no Hane." It sold more than 46,000 copies, enough to rank #1 on the weekly charts. His first single, "Ai Kakumei," came out in January and also topped the charts.
Three other artists made the top ten with new singles: Kaela Kimura (#4), SOPHIA (#7), and May'n (#10).
Meanwhile, another Hideaki led the way on the album charts. At close to 31,000 copies, Hideaki Tokunaga's "WE ALL" barely beat out last week's #1 by Takeshi Tsuruno. The only other new music album to break the top ten was Hiroshi Tamaki's "Times..." at #9.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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news: band
Crazy Ken Band finally goes major
Wed, May 13, 2009 (3:34am EDT)
The popular 12-member group CRAZY KEN BAND has finally signed with a major record label, about 12 years since its formation. The band will release a new song called "Girlfriend" under Universal Music on July 22.
Led by Ken Yokoyama, the group has consistently released singles and albums since their debut, with several making the top ten on the weekly charts. Their biggest hit was "Tiger & Dragon," originally released in 2002 and re-released in 2005 when it was used as the theme song to the TBS drama series of the same name.
CRAZY KEN BAND opened talks with Universal in June of last year. The label eventually decided to establish a private sublabel called Double Joy International to house the group.
Along with their debut, they will kick off a 10-city tour on June 6. And on September 12, they will hold a large outdoor festival in Yokohama.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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news: taiga dorama
Hirosue has heroine role in taiga drama "Ryomaden"
Wed, May 13, 2009 (1:50am EDT)
 
NHK has announced more cast details for its 2010 taiga drama "Ryomaden." Based on the life of the Edo-era figure Sakamoto Ryoma, the show was first revealed last year with actor/singer Masaharu Fukuyama starring as Sakamoto. Now it is known that actress Ryoko Hirosue will play the heroine as his first love.
Hirosue had a one-episode appearance in NHK's 2003 series "Musashi," but she has never had a recurring role in a taiga drama before. Her character, Hirai Kao, was the sister of Sakamoto's friend, Hirai Shujiro.
The rest of the supporting cast includes Teruyuki Kagawa as Iwasaki Yataro, Tetsuya Takeda as Katsu Kaishu, and Katsumi Takahashi as Saigo Takamori. The series starts airing in January 2010.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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news: movie
Ikuta leads adaptation of Dazai's "No Longer Human"
Wed, May 13, 2009 (1:12am EDT)
Popular young actor Toma Ikuta (24) will star in a new movie directed by Genjiro Arato, the producer responsible for the award-winning "Zigeunerweisen" in 1980. The film is "Ningen Shikkaku," based on the Osamu Dazai novel of the same name. Also known in English as "No Longer Human," the book is generally considered to be Dazai's greatest masterpiece.
Ikuta has recently had major roles in several television series, but this role will actually be his first time appearing in a movie. Published in 1948, the semi-autobiographical "Ningen Shikkaku" was Dazai's last completed work before he successfully committed suicide. Despite selling millions of copies, the story has never been adapted to screen. However, this year is the 100th anniversary of Dazai's birth, prompting the decision to create a movie.
Filming starts in July, with a release projected for spring 2010.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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news: celebrities
Lawyer and TV commentator Kawakami Kazuo (76) is married to singer Chiba Hiroko (61), according to the weekly magazine "Shuukan Shincho." The magazine says the couple have been married since 2007. Kawakami's first wife died of a brain hemorrhage in 2002. Kawakami is a Tokyo University graduate and a former public prosecutor at the special investigation department of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutor's Office. While in that job, he was involved in investigating the infamous Lockheed scandal that rocked Japanese politics in 1976. He served for two years in the late 1980s as director of the Justice Ministry's bureau of corrections and was renowned as one of the country's top investigators until his retirement in 1991. He continues to run a law firm in Ginza, central Tokyo. Chiba, who made her singing debut in 1971, is known for such hits as "Orizuru" but also for her volunteer work at prisons and reform schools. The magazine has speculated that the couple's romance was born out of their common interests. Kawakami's office refused to comment.
Source: www.japan-zone.com
[ Last edited by whitedove at 15-5-2009 17:04 ] |
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news: TV
"London Hearts" has done it for the sixth year in a row. The TV Asahi variety show has been chosen yet again by parents nationwide as the TV program they are most unlikely to let their children watch. The show they are most keen to have their kids watch is NTV's education-themed variety show "Sekai-ichi Uketai Jugyo." The results of the survey are published annually by the Japan National PTA Association. Respondents are allowed to choose two TV shows for each category. 11% chose London Hearts, while 9% chose another perennial nemesis, the anime "Crayon Shinchan." The third-worst show was deemed to be Fuji TV's comedy "Shimura Ken no Bakatono-sama," selected by 5% of parents. Common reasons given included "the content is ridiculous" and "the language is crude." Among the shows getting parental approval, "Sekai-ichi..." was chosen by 8%, followed by TBS's animal-themed "Dobutsu Kisotengai" with 5%. Naturally enough the most common reason given was that they help children with their academic studies. The standard format for London Hearts is a panel of female celebrities creating and commenting on rankings of each other's less admirable qualities, such as who would make the worst girlfriend or who is likely to be unfaithful. The show is hosted by popular comedy duo London Boots No.1 No.2.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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news: idol
Kusanagi to make TV comeback May 28 after indecency arrest
Thursday 14th May, 06:45 AM JST
TOKYO —
Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, who was arrested last month for public indecency, will make his comeback in the entertainment business with the taping of a TV variety program on May 28, the talent agency he belongs to said Thursday. The program, “SMAP x SMAP,” a weekly show on Fuji Television Network, will be aired June 1.
Tokyo prosecutors have decided against indicting Kusanagi, 34, because he had expressed regret and had already suffered social embarrassment. The agency, Johnny & Associates, said his comeback had been decided on following repeated discussions with relevant parties in the advertising, television, cinema, radio, magazine and other businesses, lenient action by the authorities, and the opinions of many fans.
Kusanagi, a member of the pop group SMAP, was arrested naked and drunk in a central Tokyo park in the early hours of April 23.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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news: idol
Trainspotting idol Kimura releases DVD on European railway trips
Thursday 14th May, 04:14 AM JST
TOKYO —
Yuko Kimura, a pop idol and train aficionado, recently released a DVD introducing the charms of European trains. ‘‘The DVD has a lot of footage of scenic views and will make you feel as if you are actually going on a train trip through Europe,’’ Kimura told a promotional event in Tokyo.
Her DVD features many spectacular Alpine views seen from trains of the Jungfrau Railways in Switzerland as well as shots of rail signals in Germany. Kimura, widely dubbed ‘‘tetsu dolu’’ (trainspotting pop idol), said she likes talking to other train lovers as exchanging jargon helps them quickly communicate with each other regardless of their sex or age.
But she warned some male ‘‘train nerds’’ not just to rattle on about trains when they are talking with a woman. ‘‘I understand they can get excited easily while talking about trains, but first of all be nice to women,’’ she said.
Kimura said she likes reading timetables, and she is interested in acting in a TV drama based on a crime story by noted mystery novelist Kyotaro Nishimura.
‘‘But I’m not good at acting. So even playing just the body of a woman discovered in a sleeper train would be OK,’’ she said.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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news: idol
Aya Ueto suits up for summer
Thursday 14th May, 05:00 AM JST
TOKYO —
Actress Aya Ueto, 23, is appearing in a television commercial for budget business fashion company AOKI’s new line of wash-and-wear suits. Wearing the same crisp, pure white dress as she does in the commercial at an event in Omotesando, Ueto proclaimed her love for the color, so much so that “All the furniture in my entire apartment is bright white.”
She then demonstrated how the new line of “ remium Wash Suits” could be washed, flashing the crowd her trademark smile. “When your family is the one washing your suits, it really motivates you. This is definitely the best way to get through the steaming hot summer!”
The actress was slightly less confident about her performance in the ad, saying, “It’s embarrassing to do commercials, because the character in them is definitely not me. In this commercial, I had to play a really clean-cut woman, but that really doesn’t suit me.”
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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news: dorama
Kamenashi given guest role on "Mr. Brain"
Thu, May 14, 2009 (1:53am EDT)
 
It was made known on Tuesday that Kazuya Kamenashi (23) will appear in a guest role in the new TBS drama series "MR.BRAIN" that stars SMAP's Takuya Kimura (36). It will be the first time the two act together in a project.
Kamenashi expressed his happiness about the opportunity. "I'm really happy to be called upon for my senpai's drama. On the set, I'm quite nervous but having fun. I'm grateful towards Kimura-kun." He also explained, "I couldn't have imagined acting together with Kimura-kun. I have to work hard and do my best."
Kimura was also positive. "I was really happy to hear that Kamenashi was coming in. I hope that he enjoys this view of the world." He then added in a compliment, "And above all, Kamenashi looks good in whatever he wears."
The series, which premieres on May 23, features Kimura as a neuroscientist who helps solve cases for the National Police Agency. Kamenashi will appear in the third episode (June 6), playing the role of a young elite doctor of a university hospital where a murder takes place.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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news: actress
Speedy marriage for Nagiko Tono
Thu, May 14, 2009 (2:14am EDT)
Actress Nagiko Tono (29) announced Wednesday on her own blog that she has just gotten married. She and her husband, a 27-year-old salaryman in the food industry, registered their marriage that afternoon.
Tono, who starred in the 1999 NHK Asadora "Suzuran," met the man just last October through a friend's introduction. Despite the speedy marriage, she clarified that she is not pregnant and will continue with her acting career.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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news: idols
Make a music video for Morning Musume
Thu, May 14, 2009 (4:13am EDT)
Idol group Morning Musume is holding an "original promotion video" contest through their official MySpace page. Participants are being asked to submit their own creations for the PV of "3,2,1 BREAKIN' OUT!," which is the B-side of their latest single, "Shouganai Yume Oibito."
Contestants will have free access to the song's audio track and over 80 video clips of Morning Musume, shot against a green screen. The materials can be freely edited to create a complete music video.
Tsunku and Morning Musume members will serve as judges. Because "Shouganai Yume Oibito" is the group's 39th single, the winner of the contest will receive 390,000 yen. Submissions are being accepted until June 19, and the winner is expected to be announced in July when Tsunku and Morning Musume attend Anime Expo in Los Angeles. More details can be found on the MySpace page.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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news: group
Big Bang aims big in Japan
Thu, May 14, 2009 (4:40am EDT)
The popular Korean dance and vocal group Big Bang arrived in Japan at Haneda Airport on Wednesday morning. Hundreds of fans and reporters awaited their arrival.
The five-member group, considered one of the top acts in Korea, will release their first major label single in Japan next month. Titled "MY HEAVEN," the song goes on sale June 24th from Universal Music.
The band has already released three indie label albums in Japan, and last October they drew a total of 20,000 fans to their concert tour. They already plan to follow up the single with a second one on July 8. During the press conference held on Wednesday, they declared their intention to appear at NHK's annual Kohaku Uta Gassen, like fellow Korean group TVXQ did last year.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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