Japanese Entertainment News & Info HERE! [part III]

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Puffy covers Sugar for "Konkatsu!" theme
Mon, April 20, 2009 (12:14am EDT)



With Fuji TV's drama series "Konkatsu!" starting on Monday night, the network has just officially announced that the show's theme song is being done by pop duo Puffy.

Since the series revolves around the theme of marriage, the song is called "Wedding Bell." It is a cover of the 1981 debut single of the 3-member girl group Sugar.

Puffy's version of the tune will be included on their upcoming album "Bring it!," scheduled to go on sale June 17.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Miki Saotome leaves AKB48
Mon, April 20, 2009 (1:28am EDT)



Miki Saotome (17), once a member of AKB48's Team B, has officially graduated from the group. Her final stage appearance was on April 18.

Saotome made her debut as part of Team B in April 2007. However, she was demoted to trainee status this past January. According to a new post in the group's official blog, Saotome said that she felt she had been lacking in her skills such as singing, dancing, and speaking. Due to her lack of confidence, she ultimately decided to leave the group.

Saotome's future plans are uncertain, but she explained that she may not be able to give up on show business, so she plans to continue trying to find her place in the industry.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Jaguars vocalist passes away just before 60th birthday
Mon, April 20, 2009 (12:16am EDT)



Shin Okamoto, the former vocalist of the band The Jaguars, was found dead in his Tokyo apartment bathroom on Sunday. He was 59.

Monday would've been Okamoto's 60th birthday, and his friends had planned to celebrate early with a party on Sunday. However, his former bandmate Hisayuki Okitsu (62) had been unable to contact him since Saturday, so the worried Okitsu asked a friend to check in on Okamoto. She arrived at his apartment in the afternoon, only to discover Okamoto's naked body in the bathtub.

Police found no signs of injury or indication of suicide, so it appears to have been a natural death. The specific time and cause of death are currently being determined.

The Jaguars were part of the Group Sounds movement during the 1960s. The band shot to fame in 1967 after their debut single, "Kimi ni Aitai," became a million seller. The group disbanded in 1971, though Okamoto continued his career as a solo musician and musical actor. Divorced once, Okamoto lived alone. He had been fighting illness for the past few years.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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HEATH no longer with X Japan?
Mon, April 20, 2009 (3:16am EDT)



According to the Sports Nippon newspaper, rock band X Japan has already lost its bassist HEATH due to unresolved issues with HEATH's management company. The problems first publicly surfaced last month, when X Japan suddenly canceled two scheduled concerts in Korea.

The issues between HEATH and his management, apparently stemming from his contract, remain unsettled after weeks of negotiation. The band's production management committee had already received word of HEATH's withdrawal from the band, but tickets for the band's Tokyo Dome shows on May 2-3 still went on sale on April 18. All 100,000 tickets sold out the same day.

X Japan is hoping to avoid a last-minute cancellation similar to their Korean concerts and a few other overseas concerts that were scheduled last year. Leader Yoshiki has also publicly promised that the Tokyo Dome shows will not be delayed. In order to keep that promise, the band will reportedly select a substitute bassist within the next few days. Still, that would not leave much time for rehearsals before the actual concerts.

Yoshiki is currently said to be at home in Los Angeles, but it seems he will return to Japan this week for another discussion with HEATH.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Popular model (26) formally acknowledged her recent divorce on her blog yesterday. The split between Tominaga and her Paris-based patissier husband was revealed in a gossip magazine back in early March but she insists that there were aspects to that article that were completely untrue. She didn't clarify the details behind the divorce, saying only that she and her husband had been through things that many couples have to face. She refuted claims made in the magazine article such as that the couple had fought because of the large gap in their earnings, or that Tominaga had been forced by her husband to make a humiliating "dogeza" (prostrate on the floor) apology at a party. But she did apologize to fans and people in her industry that she hadn't told them earlier about what was going on in her personal life. The couple married in 2004 and had a son the following year. Tominaga, who is one of the few Japanese supermodels established on the international fashion circuit, returned to work in 2006.

Source: www.japan-zone.com

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Happy news for Dreams Come True musician Nakamura Masato (50). It was announced yesterday that his wife, former High and Mighty Color vocalist Onaga Maki (21), is expecting their first child. No date was given, but Nakamura is expected to make a formal announcement on his blog today. The couple married in June of last year and "Maakii," as she is known to fans, said at the time that she would quit the music business. She joined the existing heavy metal band Anti Nobunaga - made up of fellow Okinawa natives Sassy, mACKRz, Gasuto, Meg and Yuusuke - in 2004 and they changed their name. The following year the made their major label debut with the hit single "Pride," which was the opening theme for the popular anime series "Gundam Seed Destiny." During Onaga's three and a half years, the band released 14 singles and five albums and they performed in the U.S. in 2006-07. The band auditioned for a new female vocalist at the end of last year. Dreams Come True (profile), made up of Nakamura and vocalist Yoshida Miwa (44), are one of J-pop's most popular and successful acts.

Source: www.japan-zone.com

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MORNING MUSUME'S '3,2,1 ' BREAKIN' OUT!' ANNOUNCED AS OFFICIAL ANIME EXPO 2009 THEME SONG

April 20, 2009 by J!-ENT
Get a Free Japan Travel eCourse - Click Here
A J!-ENT Exclusive!

Nation's Largest Anime and Manga Convention Announces Official 2009 Theme
Song With Up Front Agency and JapanFiles.com

Anaheim, California and Tokyo, Japan (April 20, 2009) - 3,2,1 Breakin'
Out! by Anime Expo 2009 Guests of Honor MORNING MUSUME, is announced as
the official convention theme song for this year?s event held July 2-5, 2009
at the Los Angeles Convention Center.  More information can be found on the
website www.anime-expo.org <http://www.anime-expo.org> .

Written and produced by prolific music producer TSUNKU, this ?3-2-1
Breakin? Out!? will appear on all Anime Expo 2009 media campaigns. "Hello,
How do you do? I am TSUNKU"!, states  the legendary producer, writer and
musician, "I am a producer of MORNING MUSUME. I am happy to hear that there
are many anime fans in America. I think Anime culture is universal and I'm
glad to hear American people are so into it. I believe good anime remains a
masterpiece forever.  At the same time, there is a very important element:
music. I think music is a universal language, and music should be enjoyable
from generation to generation.  I am proud that MORNING MUSUME?has made the
theme song for Anime Expo? 2009. The concept of this song is positive power
even during hard times. I wrote this song just for Anime Expo 2009. I
imagined everybody?s smile when I wrote it, and I'm looking forward to
seeing you guys at the MORNING MUSUME concert. I hope new great energy will
be born at the convention from this collaboration between Japanese and US
culture, and that it will last into the future."

A :30 second preview sample of this song will be available on the Anime
Expo 2009 website and on JapanFiles.com?s MySpace page
(www.myspace.com/japanfiles <http://www.myspace.com/japanfiles
<http://www.myspace.com/japanfiles> > ).

In connection with the MORNING MUSUME performance at Anime Expo 2009,
JapanFiles.com will produce physical and digital USA CD releases of both
PLATINUM 9 DISC and ?Shouganai Yumeoibito? (which includes 3,2,1 - Breakin
Out!). Both CDs will be identical to the regular Japanese releases, and
PLATINUM 9 DISC will also include random member photo cards.

Attendees, Press and Industry Members are also encouraged to view the video
coverage site of the 2008 convention at www.AXBackstage.org
<http://www.AXBackstage.org>  and to register for the 2009 convention at
www.anime-expo.org <http://www.anime-expo.org> .

About Anime Expo:
Located in Los Angeles, California - Anime Expo?, the nation?s largest
anime/manga convention, serves to foster trade, commerce and the interests
of the general public and animation/ comics industry.  This event serves as
a key meeting place for the general public to express their interest and
explore various aspects of anime/manga, as well as for members of the
industry to conduct business. AX 2009 will be held July 2 - July 5, 2009 at
the Los Angeles Convention Center in Southern California. More information
can be found at its website (www.anime-expo.org).

About Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation
The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) is a non-profit
organization with a mission to popularize and educate the American public
about anime and manga, as well as provide a forum to facilitate
communication between professionals and fans. This organization is more
popularly known by its entertainment property Anime Expo.  More
information can be found at its website (www.spja.org <http://www.spja.org>
).

Source: www.nt2099.com/J-ENT

whitedove

Aya Ueto in Shibuya to promote new drama and pray for happy marriages

Monday 20th April, 01:00 PM JST



TOKYO -

Actress Aya Ueto, 23, attended an event in Shibuya on Sunday to promote her new drama "Konkatsu!" which starts on Monday at 9 p.m. Ueto co-stars in the Fuji TV drama with SMAP leader Masahiro Nakai, 36, which revolves around Nakai?s character trying to find a spouse after he lies in a job application saying he is married.

On Sunday, Ueto and models wearing wedding dresses that Ueto helped design handed out 5,000 small candies in the shape of bouquets to people gathered at the Seibu department store and passing by. Ueto told the crowd she hoped to help people lead fulfilling and happy married lives, and conveyed her hopes that the new drama would be well-received.

Ueto also said that in between filming the drama, she, Nakai and other members of the cast talked a lot about their love lives, but added she couldn?t divulge that information in public. She added that Nakai is a 'very considerate man and a really nice person.'

Source: www.japantoday.com

whitedove

Comedian Nagura promotes Japan release of 'Slumdog Millionaire'

Tuesday 21st April, 05:06 AM JST

TOKYO -

Comedian Jun Nagura promoted the release in Japan of the Oscar-winning film "Slumdog Millionaire" dancing with Indian children during a recent event in Tokyo. Nagura, one of the members of the popular comedy trio Neptune, has been designated as a special spokesman to invite people to see the film depicting an Indian boy who takes part in a quiz show to again see a girl who was his first love.

Nagura whose wife is former pop idol Marina Watanabe also said jokingly that the couple hopes that their son will make a successful athlete after growing up. ??I want him to become a major league baseball player or be a star golfer like Mr. Ryo Ishikawa and make big money for us,?? Nagura said.

Source: www.japantoday.com

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Miwa Asao, Hideyuki Nakayama win awards for their pearly whites

Tuesday 21st April, 07:00 AM JST



TOKYO -

TV personality Hideyuki Nakayama, 41, and beach volleyball player Miwa Asao, 23, have been awarded first prize at the ?3rd Oral and Nutrition Education Awards.? Flashing his pearly whites in a grin, Nakayama commented, ?When I heard the winner of the 1st competition was Bae Yong Joon, I knew this was a huge honor.?

Asao was modest about her award, saying, "My teeth probably look so white because I've got a tan."

On the same day, Asao celebrated the release of her photo essay book, "Memories," advertising coyly, "Inside, readers can catch a smile I usually only show to those close to me."

Source: www.japantoday.com

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Erika Toda photobook gets 100,000 copies in first printing
Tue, April 21, 2009 (1:46am EDT)



Publisher Shueisha has revealed that Erika Toda's (20) upcoming photobook "Vivace" will have an unusually large print run for its first edition - 100,000 copies. Lately, it is said that typical photobooks have initial print runs of several thousands, with the most popular actresses and idols topping out at about 50,000.

However, Shueisha is confident that Toda can sell plenty of books, given her popularity among both men and women. Males frequently see her in gravure and idol magazines, while young women view her as a leader among fashion models.

In fact, the photobook emphasizes her connection to fashion, essentially doubling as a catalog for popular brand CECIL McBEE, which was the top-selling brand at Shibuya 109 for six straight years starting in 2000. Toda was photographed in Rome and Tokyo wearing only CECIL McBEE apparel, with a focus on the brand's new spring and summer products. The clothes also include a few that Toda designed herself. Shueisha is even bundling the photobook with a special booklet for placing orders for many of the items.

The photobook goes on sale May 1 and should appeal to the younger generations with a price tag of only 980 yen.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove

Oricon: fashion leaders for high school girls
Tue, April 21, 2009 (2:59am EDT)

A recent Oricon survey asked 300 high school girls, "Which female celebrity do you consider to be a fashion leader?"



The #1 answer was pop superstar Namie Amuro (31), noted for her cute and stylish appearance. One girl explained that Amuro always wears fashionable items in her music videos and television appearances.

At #2 was Becky (25), whose fashion tends to be full of color and originality. "Her clothes range from slightly strange to pretty, but no matter what she wears, she ends up looking stylish," one girl said. Another expressed her respect for Becky's individuality.

   1. Namie Amuro
   2. Becky
   3. Karina
   4. Ayumi Hamasaki
   5. Tsubasa Masuwaka

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove

J-pop's first heavy metal cover album
Tue, April 21, 2009 (3:33am EDT)

June 24 marks the release of "Cover Metal Now," described as J-pop's first ever heavy metal cover album. The collection features unexpected renditions of 10 top-selling hits, such as GReeeeN's "Aiuta" and Ayaka's "Mikazuki."

The covers are performed by the trio Dr. Metal Factory, which was temporarily formed for just a week to record this album. The group's vocalist is Nobuo Yamada, also known as NoB of the band MAKE-UP that became famous for the "Saint Seiya" theme song "Pegasus Fantasy." He is joined by Shara (formerly of EARTHSHAKER) and HAL?.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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X Japan denies Heath's departure
Tue, April 21, 2009 (12:55am EDT)



In response to recent reports that X Japan bassist HEATH has left the band, the group's production management committee has publicly stated that the news is not true. The committee acknowledged that HEATH had proposed his own departure, but they said that nothing has been approved.

The committee reaffirmed that the band's Tokyo Dome concerts on May 2-3 will go on as planned. They said that leader Yoshiki has no intention of making HEATH leave the band, and they also denied that there is talk of recruiting a substitute bassist for the shows.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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NTV announcer Yamamoto marries director of rival network
Wed, April 22, 2009 (12:49am EDT)

Maiko Yamamoto (30), an announcer on NTV's "Zoom In!! Saturday" and other shows, announced on Tuesday that she got married that day. Her husband is a 31-year-old director of rival network Fuji TV's drama production center.

NTV's public relations department sent a fax to the media regarding the news, and it was explained that Yamamoto plans to continue with her work. She has been employed by NTV since 2002. It was also clarified that Yamamoto is not pregnant.

Her husband is said to have previously worked in Fuji TV's news division, where he was among the top of his peers. As part of the drama production center, he has been involved in projects such as this season's "Majo Saiban" drama series.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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[img]Stockholm Japan Expo canceled
Wed, April 22, 2009 (1:10am EDT)

Multiple sources have confirmed that the Stockholm Japan Expo 2009}/b] has been canceled. The event was scheduled to take place on May 22-24 in Stockholm, Sweden.

An official email was sent to ticket holders announcing the cancellation, explaining that it was the result of poor economic conditions and low ticket sales. Tickets are being refunded, and further information will reportedly be available on the official website next week. At the moment, the website has been taken offline.

Disappointed fans had been hoping to attend scheduled performances by Miyavi, Buono!, Demon Kogure, and BLOOD STAIN CHILD.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Charts: EXILE, Kanjani8
Wed, April 22, 2009 (3:13am EDT)



EXILE once again proved their popularity this past week, even after doubling in size due to their recent merger with J Soul Brothers. Their new single, "THE MONSTER ~Someday~," picked up the #1 ranking with 172,000 copies sold. This far surpassed Kobukuro's "Niji," which came in at #2 with under 68,000 in sales.

GIRL NEXT DOOR was #3, barely beating C-ute. Base Ball Bear also managed to make the cut into the top ten, landing at the bottom of the list with their new single.



On the albums chart, Kanjani8 led the way with "PUZZLE," selling 212,000 copies. This is their second consecutive #1 album, following up on 2007's "KJ2 Zukkoke Daidassou."

Yuko Ando's best album charted at #5, while Takuro Yoshida came in at #6 with "Gozenchu ni." For Yoshida, this is his first original album in close to 6 years, and it is his first release since moving to Avex. At just over 63 years old, Yoshida has now captured the record of oldest artist to release a top ten album, overtaking Kazumasa Oda.

Hikaru Utada is still #1 on the foreign albums chart, making this her fifth consecutive week. "This Is The One" has so far sold about 187,000 copies.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Rie Kuwabata gets engaged on TV
Wed, April 22, 2009 (1:54am EDT)



Comedienne Rie Kuwabata (33) from the duo Kuwabata Ohara is officially engaged, after three years of dating an automobile factory employee from the Chiba prefecture (31).

Apparently, the pair have known each other since 12 years ago when Kuwabata was a part-timer at an izakaya. They previously dated and broke up, but after a coincidental reunion 3 years ago, they got back together.

Kuwabata is known for her unattractiveness, but this news may finally bring an end to that reputation. Since last year, she has been popularizing the "core rhythms" diet, slimming her waist by roughly 20cm in the process, in an apparent effort to please her fiance.

She had been asking him to surprise her if he proposed, and that wish came true on Tuesday's broadcast of the new NTV variety show "Majotachi no 22ji," which was recorded a day earlier. Kuwabata's fiance made an unexpected appearance and proposed in front of the camera and audience. A press conference is scheduled for Wednesday.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Talento Yukiko Shimizu commits suicide
Wed, April 22, 2009 (2:51am EDT)



Former talento was found dead on Tuesday afternoon at a cemetery in Shizuoka after apparently committing suicide. She was 49.

Shimizu was discovered by a cemetery staff member at around 1:30pm. She had collapsed in front of the tombstone of her father, who had died when she was 8 years old. Shimizu appeared to have killed herself by placing her head inside a black plastic bag containing a mixture of chemicals, including detergent and hydrogen sulfide. Her belongings, which identified her as Yukiko Shimizu, included a pair of suicide notes.

Shimizu's mother (80) was also nearby in a wheelchair. She is said to have been vaguely conscious. By the time an ambulance arrived, Shimizu's body was already experiencing rigor mortis, suggesting that she had been dead since about 5:00pm on Monday. Her mother was taken to a hospital, though her condition is reportedly fine.

The suicide is presumed to have been brought about by Shimizu's fatigue from tending to her mother, who has been fighting diabetes and kidney disease for the past 30 years, combined with failing eyesight. In 2006, Shimizu quit from her agency to devote herself to taking care of her mother. She completely retired from show business in 2007 and had started making ends meet with a part-time job at a clothing company.

First discovered on the '70s audition program "Star Tanjou!," Shimizu was perhaps best known for her debut single "Ogenki Desu Ka" in 1977. She was also part of the "Kin-chan Family," a group of celebrities led by comedian Kenichi Hagimoto (67).

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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It sounds like a TV stunt gone wrong, but SMAP member Kusanagi Tsuyoshi (33) has actually been arrested for public indecency. The popular talento and singer was detained by Tokyo Metropolitan police in the early hours of April 23 after residents in the central Tokyo area of Akasaka called them around 3am to complain about someone making a racket in Hinokicho Park near the Tokyo Midtown complex. Police arrived to find the drunk Kusanagi stark naked and running around shouting abuse at anyone and everyone. Normally under such circumstances, the person would be taken into police custody rather than arrested. So it can be assumed that Kusanagi was violent in resisting arrest. Like the other four members of the perennially popular SMAP, Kusanagi appears in a wide variety of TV and commercial roles and the impact of his arrest is likely to be huge. One casualty will probably be the movie "Ballad Namonaki Koi no Uta," which is scheduled to open in the autumn. Misbehaving celebrities usually get their names and credits quietly removed from TV shows and movies, but as this movie actually stars Kusanagi it's not a matter of a bit of cutting and pasting. Fellow SMAP-ite Inagaki Goro disappeared from the scene for a while after he got himself arrested for turning a simple parking violation into an attempted hit and run in August 2001.

Source: www.japan-zone.com