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Author: whitedove

Japanese Entertainment News & Info HERE! [part III]

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 Author| Post time 29-4-2009 05:05 PM | Show all posts

news: dorama SP

Fuji TV plans "Saga no Gabai-baachan" sequel
Tue, April 28, 2009 (2:58am EDT)



Actress Pinko Izumi (61) is excited about a sequel to the Fuji TV drama special "Saga no Gabai-baachan." The original drama was based on a bestselling novel by talento Yoshichi Shimada, which told the story of his childhood living with his grandmother in the Saga prefecture. Aside from the drama, the novel has also been adapted to film and manga.

The first drama special aired in 2007 and was focused on an eight-year span of Shimada's life with his grandmother, up until his middle school graduation. It was a success, with an average rating of 19.2%.

The sequel will again star Izumi as the grandmother. This time, the drama will revolve around the young Akihiro (Shimada's real first name) in his early elementary school years. Yuki Imai (10) plays the part of Akihiro.

Fuji TV has announced that the drama will be broadcast in 2010.

Source: www.tokyograph.com
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 Author| Post time 29-4-2009 05:17 PM | Show all posts

survey

Oricon: ideal younger sister
Tue, April 28, 2009 (3:15am EDT)



In a recent Oricon survey, Teppei Koike ranked #1 as the male celebrity that people would want as a younger brother. The same survey also asked about younger sisters, finding that talento Becky was the most popular choice as a sibling.

Becky's cheerful and lively image was a strong factor in her popularity, though some women focused on her fashion sense, commenting that they would really want to go shopping with her.

The cute smile of actress Yui Aragaki fueled her to the #2 spot, just ahead of 9-year-old Nozomi Ohashi, who got her big break with Hayao Miyazaki's animated picture "Gake no Ue no Ponyo."

   1. Becky
   2. Yui Aragaki
   3. Nozomi Ohashi
   4. Aya Ueto
   5. Mirai Shida
   6. Maki Horikita
   7. Masami Nagasawa
   8. Aoi Miyazaki
   9. misono
  10. Haruka Ayase

Source: www.tokyograph.com
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 Author| Post time 29-4-2009 05:18 PM | Show all posts

news: artiste

ANATAKIKOU vocalist Masaki Houjou leaving
Tue, April 28, 2009 (3:33am EDT)



Masaki Houjou (34), guitarist and vocalist for the band ANATAKIKOU, will soon be leaving the group to pursue his own music career. The news was announced on their official website this past Saturday.

The Kansai-based band has been active for about eight years, though their major label debut came in 2005 with their first album, "sweet montage A." Since then, they have released three more original albums and multiple singles, including the song "Cinderella" that was used as the ending theme of the music show "COUNT DOWN TV."

Tickets have already been on sale for a couple of concerts next month, and the band confirmed that Houjou will still perform for those. There are plans for a "graduation concert," though nothing has been finalized yet. After Houjou's departure, ANATAKIKOU will continue with remaining members Masaki Matsuura and Toshimitsu Fujii, along with support member Mina Sugimura.

Source: www.tokyograph.com
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 Author| Post time 29-4-2009 05:52 PM | Show all posts

news: lyricist

Lyricist Sonoda arrested for drugs
Tue, April 28, 2009 (1:38am EDT)



Lyricist Ryoji Sonoda (33) was arrested on Monday for the use of illegal stimulants, it has been learned. Police from Tokyo's Azabu ward stated that Sonoda's urine test turned up positive for the drug. He is also said to have admitted to the crime.

Sonoda has written lyrics for many hit songs by top artists such as SMAP, BoA, TVXQ, and MISIA.

Source: www.tokyograph.com
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 Author| Post time 30-4-2009 02:07 PM | Show all posts

news: celebrities



Yesterday was a day for tearful press conferences in Osaka. Veteran actress Kyou Utako (81) was allowed out of hospital to talk to reporters at a hotel in the city. She cried as she explained how medical problems have forced her to drop out of a production at the Osaka Shochikuza theater next month and cancel all work commitments from June. "I've been in show business for 64 years and I never dreamed it would come to this." Experiencing leg pains in January, she had an MRI which revealed she had a fractured vertebra. She was told that it would heal in a couple of months, and she continued working with the help of a corset. But earlier this month her pain returned and she was told that she had developed a condition known as degenerative spondylolisthesis in two other vertebrae. Though she was told it will take at least three months to heal, she took to the stage in a wheelchair for a one-week production at the Meijiza Theater in Tokyo last week. Doctors had to force her not appear on the closing night last Saturday. "I love the stage," she said. "I've often said I'd like to die on stage, and really that would be the happiest way for me to go. But I suppose I have to look after my health." Kyou is perhaps best known for her role in the long-running TBS drama series "Wataruseken wa Oni Bakari." In the late 1950's she formed a popular manzai comedy duo with her former husband Ootori Keisuke (1923-94), and the duo were inducted into a showbiz hall of fame just last year.

Meanwhile, popular talento Kitano Makoto (50) gave a press conference at the Westin Hotel in Osaka to apologize for the verbal gaffes that may yet end his career. Long known as a straight talker, he has a history of upsetting people with the things he says on his radio show. He bowed repeatedly to reporters and said that he had allowed his image as a "dokusetsu" (poison tongue) talento to become his "curse." Neither Kitano nor his Shochiku Geino management have clarified exactly what he said that caused the latest uproar, but they denied Internet rumors that his target had been either a certain religious organization or show business management agency (the strongly politically affiliated Soka Gakkai organization is sometimes referred to as a cult, while the Burning agency is said to be a front for the yakuza). Kitano was in tears as he talked about his family and how he had asked them to be patient with him until he got his career back on track. He has been dropped from all his regular radio and TV shows, the last one having been broadcast on Monday. His forced sabbatical is open-ended but he insisted yesterday that he doesn't want to quit show business and will aim to get back on the air someday.

Source: www.japan-zone.com
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 Author| Post time 30-4-2009 02:08 PM | Show all posts

news: awards



Among those recognized by the government this spring for their contributions to society and the arts are veteran actresses Mizutani Yaeko (70) and Asaka Mitsuyo (81) and Hollywood legend Clint Eastwood (78). The Emperor and Prime Minister will present the various decorations at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on May 8. Mizutani will receive the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Rosette; Asaka gets the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays; and among the 70 overseas recipients, FIFA president Sepp Blatter (73) is to receive the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, while Eastwood will get the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon.

Source: www.japan-zone.com
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 Author| Post time 30-4-2009 02:19 PM | Show all posts

news: CM

Deer character unveiled as Kusanagi’s successor for digital TV commercials

Tuesday 28th April, 03:00 PM JST



TOKYO —

Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Kunio Hatoyama, 60, on Monday unveiled the new character that will promote the switch from analogue to digital television broadcasts. Hatoyama had some harsh words last week for popular group SMAP’s Tsuyoshi Kusanagi – also the face of the digital TV campaign - after he was arrested for indecent exposure. But he was more supportive on Monday when he said: “I believe Kusanagi will reflect on his actions and bounce back. In his absence we’ll need our new character to do his best.”

According to the National Association of Commercial Broadcasters’ website, the new deer character “Chidejika” was born on Dec 1, 2003, is 2 meters tall and weighs about 15 to 20 kilograms. He is calm under pressure but can be a bit nosy. He likes salad but not the crackers often fed to other deer, and will feature in the association’s commercials and posters from next month.

Source: www.japantoday.com
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 Author| Post time 30-4-2009 02:22 PM | Show all posts

news: stage musical

Japanese version of 'My Fair Lady' reaches 1,000th milestone

Wednesday 29th April, 04:51 AM JST

TOKYO —

The Japanese adaptation of the classic Broadway musical ‘‘My Fair Lady’’ was performed for the 1,000th time in Tokyo on Tuesday, reaching the milestone 46 years after its debut.



The show, which had its Broadway premiere in 1956, was first performed in Japan in 1963 as the first-ever Broadway musical featuring an all-Japanese cast and the Japanese language. At that time, actress Chiemi Eri starred as Eliza Doolittle, a cockney flower girl who is able to pass herself off as a lady thanks to the coaching of a professor of phonetics. In Tuesday’s performance at a Tokyo theater, Mao Daichi, the sixth actress playing the lead role, said after a curtain call that she would work hard to have the musical achieve its 2,000th performance.

‘‘I feel the weight of the number 1,000 and hope to get support (from the audience) to take it as far as 2,000,’’ she said.

Source: www.japantoday.com
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 Author| Post time 30-4-2009 02:46 PM | Show all posts

news: stage play

Meisa Kuroki not afraid to get naked in 'Onna Nobunaga'

Wednesday 29th April, 05:09 AM JST



TOKYO —

Actress Meisa Kuroki, 20, will star in “Onna Nobunaga,” a play co-starring Shunichi Okamura and the first dramatic rendition of the historic novel by Naoki Award-winning author Kenichi Sato, in which the famous warlord Oda Nobunaga is depicted as a woman.

When asked about her role as Nobunaga, the actress declared boldly, “Okumura told me, ‘You’re going to have to take off your clothes!’ and I’m prepared for that and want to do my best.”

At a press conference promoting the play, co-star Junichi Ishida, 55, who plays the role of Dosan Saito, revealed that he recently met his daughter Sumire for the first time in 10 years. He commented happily that the 22-year-old model, whose mother is Ishida’s ex-wife Chiaki Matsubara, said, “She’s a huge fan of Kuroki, and I got a lot of points when I told her we’re acting in this play together!”

Performances will run from June 5-21 at Tokyo’s Aoyama Theater, and from June 26-28 at Osaka’s Theater Bravia.

Source: www.japantoday.com
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 Author| Post time 30-4-2009 02:51 PM | Show all posts

news: dorama

Jyongri tries acting in TBS drama
Wed, April 29, 2009 (1:14am EDT)



Singer-songwriter JYONGRI (20) is making her true acting debut next month. She has been cast in the two-part TBS drama "Kimi no Sei," based on a mobile phone romance novel published last year.



The drama stars Kei Tanaka and Natsumi Ishibashi. The supporting cast includes Risa Kudo, JYONGRI, and Ulful Keisuke, who is also making his first appearance in a television drama.

In addition to her acting role, JYONGRI is providing an insert song for the drama, titled "Maybe Someday." The single goes on sale April 29.

"Kimi no Sei" will air late at night (12:29am) on May 4-5.

Source: www.tokyograph.com
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 Author| Post time 30-4-2009 02:55 PM | Show all posts

news: actor

Actor Tadao Nakamaru dies at 76
Wed, April 29, 2009 (2:10am EDT)

Veteran actor Tadao Nakamaru passed away on the afternoon of April 23 due to a ruptured aortic aneurysm. He was 76.

Sources say that Nakamaru seemed healthy as late as April 20, when his wife, political critic Kaoru Nakamaru, took a trip with him to Hiroshima. But just three days later in the morning, Kaoru found him collapsed in their bathroom at home, and he was taken to the hospital. He temporarily regained consciousness, but unfortunately the internal bleeding could not be stopped.

As an actor, Nakamaru appeared in countless films and dramas, including "Key Hunter" and "Mitokomon." However, he had been absent from the screen since 2006.

Source: www.tokyograph.com
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 Author| Post time 30-4-2009 03:12 PM | Show all posts

news: actress

Rie Tomosaka returns to music with best, new album
Wed, April 29, 2009 (2:42am EDT)



It has been announced that actress Rie Tomosaka is releasing a best album, titled "rie tomosaka best +3," on June 24. The album will include the same 12 tracks as her 1999 best album, plus three additional songs that have never been included on a best album. Those three songs are "Shojo Robot," "Ikenai Ko," and "Nihon ni Umarete,", all produced by rocker Ringo Shiina.

On the same day as "rie tomosaka best +3," Tomosaka is simultaneously releasing a new album called "Toridori." This marks her return to music after roughly 9 years. The album opens with the track "Curtain Fall," produced by Clammbon's Mito. Another song on the album is written by Ikuko Harada, also from Clammbon. Yuichi Ohata and Kaela Kimura are also involved on the album.

Source: www.tokyograph.com
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 Author| Post time 30-4-2009 03:14 PM | Show all posts

news: music chart

Charts: Takeshi Tsuruno, TVXQ
Wed, April 29, 2009 (3:11am EDT)



Talento Takeshi Tsuruno has become the third male solo artist to reach #1 with a cover album, after Takuro Yoshida in 1997 and Hideaki Tokunaga in 2007. Tsuruno's solo debut, "Tsuruno Uta," sold 104,000 copies this past week, blowing away the competition.

The closest new domestic release was Lindberg's best album "Lindberg XX" at #5. Ryu Si-won also put out a singles collection at #6, while Ken ranked #8.



On the singles chart, TVXQ achieved the top spot with "Share The World," selling 98,000 copies. With a total of six number-ones, they have extended their record of most #1 singles by a foreign artist.

The ending and opening themes of the "K-On!" anime series took #2 and #4, respectively, sandwiching the latest release from Yuzu. The newlywed Ayaka entered the charts at #6, with Megumi Hayashibara right behind her. Idol group Wararirouka Hashiritai landed at #9 with their second single.

Source: www.tokyograph.com
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 Author| Post time 30-4-2009 03:27 PM | Show all posts

news: movie

Riko Narumi, Kie Kitano co-star in kendo story
Wed, April 29, 2009 (3:48am EDT)



Young actresses Riko Narumi (16) and Kie Kitano (18) are set to co-star in a new film from director Tomoyuki Furumaya ("Robocon," "Homeless Chugakusei"). "Bushido Sixteen" is based on a novel by writer Tetsuya Honda, revolving around two female kendo fighters.

Narumi plays Kaori, who has been a top kendo fighter since she was young. On the other hand, Kitano plays Sanae, an ordinary girl who has casually continued with kendo. During a tournament at the end of junior high, Kaori improbably loses to Sanae, and she begins to hold a grudge while Sanae completely forgets the whole thing. When the two wind up at the same high school, their confrontations lead them both to grow up.

Both Narumi and Kitano had no experience in kendo before this, so they spent about two months training for the roles. Filming has already started, and Furumaya is expecting to complete the film for a spring 2010 release. The original novel has so far had two sequels - aptly titled "Bushido Seventeen" and "Bushido Eighteen" - so there appears to be some hope for additional movies as well.

Source: www.tokyograph.com
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 Author| Post time 30-4-2009 03:32 PM | Show all posts

news: awards

Ninomiya earns Galaxy Award
Wed, April 29, 2009 (12:51am EDT)



The Japan Council for Better Radio and Television announced the winners of the 46th Galaxy Awards on Tuesday. The big winner was Arashi's Kazunari Ninomiya, taking the Individual Award in the television category.

Ninomiya was chosen for his roles in the TBS drama series "Ryusei no Kizuna" and the drama special "DOOR TO DOOR." This is the first time that a Johnny's Jimusho talent won the prize. Last year's winner was actress Aoi Miyazaki.

TV producer Toshio Nakamura earned a special prize for his work on dramas such as "Kaze no Garden" and "Arifureta Kiseki." Meanwhile, the DJ Personality Award went to RHYMESTER's Utamaru.

The award ceremony will be held on June 2. The complete list of winners can be found on the organization's official website.

Source: www.tokyograph.com
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 Author| Post time 1-5-2009 04:45 PM | Show all posts

news: stage play

Ryoko Yonekura takes charge in bedroom scenes on stage

Wednesday 29th April, 04:00 PM JST



TOKYO
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 Author| Post time 1-5-2009 04:46 PM | Show all posts

news: artistes

New Puffy album packed with collaborations
Thu, April 30, 2009 (1:13am EDT)



Pop duo Puffy revealed the contents of their next album, "Bring it!," through their official website. The album is full of collaborations, with songs written and composed by artists such as Ringo Shiina, Kazuyoshi Saito, Takeshi Hosomi (of ELLEGARDEN), Masahiko Shimura (of Fujifabric), and Butch Walker.

"Bring it!" contains a total of 13 tracks, with the last one being their cover of Sugar's "Wedding Bell" that is being used in the Fuji TV drama series "Konkatsu!" The first press edition of the CD comes with a DVD of Puffy's 2005 performance in San Francisco.

Source: www.tokyograph.com
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 Author| Post time 1-5-2009 04:48 PM | Show all posts

news: idol

Idol Mai Goto arrested for indecent video
Thu, April 30, 2009 (2:30am EDT)



Actress and gravure idol Mai Goto (36) has been arrested along with Masanori Fujiyama (40), the former president of DVD production and distribution company Kingdom. Fujiyama has been charged with selling videos in violation of the regulations on obscenity, and Goto is being accused as an accessory to the crime.

The particular video in question is Goto's "Senya Ichiya no Yume," filmed in the United Arab Emirates in March 2008. It was labeled as an "image video," a term that has generally referred to a video featuring an idol posing in swimsuits. However, "image videos" have become increasingly racy in recent years, to the extent of showing their subjects completely nude without censorship. Out of the 50 minutes of this video, police say that Goto's genital area is visible during roughly 25% of the time, although there is no sex depicted.

This marks the first time that an "image video" has been officially classified as "obscene." Fujiyama had sold the video online around the end of last year, and all 5,000 produced copies were sold for a total of 9.68 million yen. Police learned about the video after it was advertised in a magazine, leading to a search of Kingdom's offices that turned up two additional works shot in the UAE.

Fujiyama has reportedly admitted to the charges, while Goto claimed that she had done the videos without knowing that they would turn out to be obscene.

Goto has been in show business since the early '90s when she achieved runner-up in the Clarion Girl competition. She was once part of the late-night variety show "Tonight 2," but since then she has mainly been active in erotic videos and as a nude model.

Source: www.tokyograph.com
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 Author| Post time 1-5-2009 04:49 PM | Show all posts

news: movie

Kamenashi comes back for "Gokusen"
Thu, April 30, 2009 (12:22am EDT)



Kazuya Kamenashi is making his big screen debut in the upcoming "Gokusen" movie, it was announced on Wednesday. Kamenashi previously co-starred with Yukie Nakama in the second season of the television drama in 2005.



In the drama, Kamenashi played the role of Ryu Odagiri, the delinquent leader of Class 3D. Now, Odagiri is returning four years later as a teacher in training, teaming up with his former teacher "Yankumi" (Nakama).



The movie's cast also features students from the show's third season and subsequent special, including Yuya Takaki, Haruma Miura, and Yuta Tamamori. The film is scheduled to hit theaters on July 11.

Source: www.tokyograph.com
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 Author| Post time 3-5-2009 09:51 PM | Show all posts

news: movie



High school baseball movie "Rookies - Sotsugyo" looks likely to be the hot movie ticket of the summer. Distributor Toei said yesterday that advance tickets sales have reached 180,000 since March 8, surpassing those at the same point for last year's "Hana Yori Dango - Final." That movie went on to make &yen7.7 billion and became the biggest Japanese box-office success of 2008. The two movies seem to have been born from the same formula: they are both adaptations of TV series that ran on the TBS network, and bring to a climax the story that played out on TV; they both made the leap to the big screen because of high audience ratings; and they both feature a cast of handsome young actors. Mind you, though the story revolves around a high school baseball team aiming for the national championships, all the actors are in their 20s. Yesterday, they took on a real team of elementary schoolers in Futagotamagawa, the Tokyo suburb where their fictional school is located, and beat them 6-2. They then led a parade through the local shopping district, where 1,000 fans turned out to cheer them on. The movie is scheduled to open on May 30.

Source: www.japan-zone.com
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