Japanese Entertainment News & Info HERE! [part IV]

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Junko Mihara chooses politics over love
Wed, June 9, 2010 (12:03pm EDT)

http://audition.msworld.co.jp/works/love_see_you/images/junko_mihara.jpg

Actress Junko Mihara (45) and stage director Yoshihiro Suenaga (38) have broken up, it was learned earlier this week. The two started dating last October but recently ended their relationship due to work. 

Mihara and Suenaga's relationship was discovered in January, and at the time they were already considering marriage. However, Mihara later announced her intention to run for election to the House of Councillors this summer. With the election occupying her time and Suenaga busy with his own work, the two have had little time to meet lately, raising concerns about whether a marriage would work out well. As a result, they have now parted ways.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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SMAP secretly filmed for mystery drama special
Wed, June 9, 2010 (7:16pm EDT)



The five members of SMAP will appear together in a television drama for the first time in approximately six years. The drama is a special titled "Doku Tomato Satsujin Jiken," said to be the industry's first "candid-camera drama" - much of it was filmed during taping for a variety show without SMAP's knowledge.

The variety show involved was the now-annual TV Asahi special "SMAP Ganbarimasu!!" On the show, the five members took on various challenges: Masahiro Nakai (37) played a survival "onigokko" game on a remote island for 12 hours, Takuya Kimura (37) ate only tomatoes for three days, Goro Inagaki (36) sang at karaoke until he achieved a score of 100, Tsuyoshi Kusanagi (35) climbed all of the hills in the Meguro ward within 24 hours, and Shingo Katori (33) lived a Jomon period lifestyle for an entire day.

During the taping for the show, which aired on January 10, scenes for the drama were secretly filmed. Actor Sei Hiraizumi (66), playing a police detective, visited each of the SMAP members' locations without them noticing.

"Doku Tomato Satsujin Jiken" revolves around a fictional variety show called "SMAP Sekai no Yasai wo Kurau." The show's host, announcer Yoko Oshita (40), dies in her own home after eating a poisoned tomato, which came from the set of the show. The detective played by Hiraizumi takes on the case, searching for the SMAP member responsible for the crime. While the drama is a mystery, it naturally incorporates elements of comedy as well.

TV Asahi plans to broadcast the drama on July 1 at 7:57pm.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Yuko Oshima beats Atsuko Maeda in AKB48 election
Wed, June 9, 2010 (8:41am EDT)




The results of this year's "senbatsu" election for AKB48's next single were announced on Wednesday. In an unexpected outcome, top member Atsuko Maeda (who was #1 last year) had to settle for second place, as Yuko Oshima edged her out to claim the top spot.

Voting started on May 25 and ended on June 8. All members of AKB48, SKE48, and the kenkyuusei teams were eligible for the election. However, only the top 21 members will be featured on the upcoming single (to be released on August 18), while the next 19 members (#22 - #40) will perform the single's coupling song as the "under girls."

Maeda was expected to be #1 again, especially after leading on the first day. After the first week, she was ahead of Oshima by about 1,500 votes. However, Oshima surged in the past week to receive a total of 31,448 votes, while Maeda ended at 30,851 votes.

The top 40 members are:
Yuko Oshima (31448)
Atsuko Maeda (30851)
Mariko Shinoda (23139)
Tomomi Itano (20513)
Mayu Watanabe (20088)
Minami Takahashi (17787)
Haruna Kojima (16231)
Yuki Kashiwagi (15466)
Sae Miyazawa (12560)
Jurina Matsui (12168)
Rena Matsui (12082)
Tomomi Kasai (11080)
Aki Takajo (11062)
Minami Minegishi (9692)
Erena Ono (9468)
Rie Kitahara (8836)
Sayaka Akimoto (8049)
Amina Sato (6921)
Rino Sashihara (6704)
Haruka Nakagawa (6567)
Miho Miyazaki (6371)
Aika Ohta (6145)
Asuka Kuramochi (5355)
Masana Oya (4634)
Yuka Masuda (4137)
Natsumi Hirajima (4106)
Haruka Ishida (3235)
Haruka Shimazaki (3076)
Moeno Nito (2693)
Mika Komori (2613)
Sumire Sato (2591)
Ayaka Umeda (2499)
Reina Fujie (2460)
Rumi Yonezawa (2171)
Akane Takayanagi (2030)
Suzuran Yamauchi (1945)
Haruka Katayama (1935)
Kumi Yagami (1909)
Natsumi Matsubara (1854)
Atsuki Ishiguro (1604)

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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New dad Ryuta Sato named among 'Best Fathers'

Friday 11th June, 03:00 AM JST



TOKYO —

Actor Ryuta Sato, 30, was chosen as the most fantastic celebrity father at the “29th Best Father Yellow Ribbon Awards” ceremony held in Tokyo this week.

Sato, who was married last July, celebrated the birth of his first child, a daughter, in November. “I’m really happy to win the award despite being a rookie father,” the actor said, “and I hope to continue doing a good job as not to embarrass my wife or my daughter.”

Sato also congratulated “Tokyo Friends” costar Eita, 27, who recently found out that he, too, will be a father this coming November with Kaera Kimura, 25.

Minister of Internal Affairs Kazuhiro Haraguchi, 50, won best father in the politician division, as did Diet member Yoshimi Watanabe, 58. In the sports division, mountain climber Ken Noguchi, 36, took home the prize.

Source: www.japantoday.com

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Ric O'Barry Lands in Japan       

June 10, 2010



Dolphin conservationist Ric O'Barry (70) landed in Tokyo this week and was met with tight security and dozens of reporters. Here to promote the Oscar-winning documentary "The Cove," he once again made clear that the movie is "not Japan bashing in any way." Dismayed by the decision by several cinemas in Tokyo and Osaka to cancel their plans to screen the film, he called on theater owners to ignore the protests from right-wing groups. Appearing briefly at a sold-out screening and panel discussion last night in Nakano, Tokyo (photo right), he echoed the appeal made earlier in the week by dozens of Japanese journalists and film makers that the protests are in violation of Article 21 of the constitution, which prohibits censorship and protects the right to freedom of speech. That appeal was made by such prominent figures as movie director Koreeda Hirokazu, journalist Tahara Soichiro and feminist Ueno Chizuko. "This is a film that has been widely shown abroad. If the work, which is about Japan, cannot be shown in Japan, it only underlines the weakness of the freedom of speech in Japan," they said in the statement.

Among the panelists at last night's event was Suzuki Kunio, founder of neo-right wing organization Issuikai. But rather than support his fellow nationalists, he condemned the protests and said Japanese people needed to see the movie and make up their own minds about the issues.

O'Barry will meet with a variety of Japanese citizens and media during his stay in Japan, leading up to the theatrical release of "The Cove" on June 26.

Source: www.japan-zone.com

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Yuka dating Pillows vocalist?
Thu, June 10, 2010 (9:15am EDT)




Popular talento Yuka (29) is rumored to be in a serious relationship with Sawao Yamanaka (41), the vocalist of rock band The Pillows.

This week's issue of Shukan Bunshun reports that Yamanaka was a fan of Yuka since more than ten years ago, when she was primarily a gravure idol and part of the group HIP. Yuka, on the other hand, went to concerts by The Pillows, and the two became close last year. Around the start of this year, Yamanaka apparently introduced Yuka to a friend as his girlfriend.

Both Yuka's agency and Yamanaka's agency have denied the relationship rumor, though they acknowledged that the two are friends.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Tatsuya Egawa directs "KING GAME"
Thu, June 10, 2010 (11:47am EDT)

Mangaka Tetsuya Egawa ("Golden Boy," "Magical Taruruto-kun") has completed work on his second film as a director. Titled "KING GAME," the movie is an original work written by Egawa.

Egawa's directorial debut was the 2006 film "Tokyo Daigaku Monogatari," adapted from his manga of the same name. However, "KING GAME" is not an adaptation - from the start, he intended the piece to be a theatrical film.

"KING GAME" focuses on a group of 10 men and women gathered together in a sealed room and forced to play the popular party game known as "ousama game" ("king's game"). Each of the strangers has been brought there by a secret contract. As their game goes on, they reach their limits and reveal their true natures, giving way to lust and violence.




The cast features some well-known names, including Takuya Ishida (23) in the starring role and Sei Ashina (26) as the heroine. Yoshino Kimura, Shunsuke Kubozuka, Ai Maeda, Keisuke Horibe, Koji Yamamoto, Nana Natsume, Jai West, Chiaki Sato, Yukie Kawamura, and Jerry Fujio round out the cast.

"KING GAME" will be distributed by Phantom Film. Nationwide theatrical release is scheduled for August 28.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Miki Fujimoto causes minor car accident
Thu, June 10, 2010 (12:25pm EDT)



Another celebrity car accident was reported on Thursday, this time caused by former Morning Musume member Miki Fujimoto (25). The accident took place last week, on June 2.

While driving in the Omotesando area at around 7:10pm, Fujimoto stopped for a red light at an intersection. However, she accidentally released the brake and her car moved forward, hitting the rear end of the taxi in front of her. No one was hurt.

Fujimoto released a statement through her agency on Thursday, apologizing for her carelessness.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Besson lets his imagination run wild

By Chris Betros



TOKYO —

French director Luc Besson says France excels at making two things – cuisine and beautiful women. As evidence of the latter, he introduced to the media in Japan his latest “discovery” – Louise Bourgoin, 28, who stars in the fantasy film “Les aventures extraordinaires d’Adèle Blanc-Sec.”

Besson, 51, who is known for launching the film careers of many young actresses, including Natalie Portman (“Leon”) and Milla Jovovich (“The Fifth Element”), described Bourgoin as the “muse of the 21st century.”

Bourgoin admitted she was surprised to be chosen for “Adele.” The tall actress, who dropped out of school in Rennes, France, started her showbiz career as a weather girl for Canal Plus station. “After that, I was only in one movie, ‘The Girl From Monaco’ in 2008, when Luc asked me to be in this project,” she said.

If you’ve seen the posters around Tokyo for “Adele,” you’ll know that it looks like a mixture of “The Mummy,” “Indiana Jones” and “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.” Bourgoin plays Adele Blanc-Sec, a feisty novelist pursued by monsters, grotesque villains, inept cops, and would-be suitors. Based on Jacques Tardi’s comic book series, the story is set between 1911 and 1922 in a Paris traumatized by World War I (Adele spends the war years in cryogenic suspension). Her adventures take her to Egypt in search of an elixir of life. Oh, and did we forget? A 136-million-year old pterodactyl egg in the natural history museum in Paris hatches and starts wreaking havoc on the city.

Besson said he experienced some havoc himself in trying to get to Japan. He had to cancel his trip twice in April and May due to the Iceland volcanic eruption. “I’ve been coming to Japan for 20 years and this is the first time I couldn’t get here,” he mused.

The director said his movies have always been well received in Japan, from “Le grand bleu” in 1988, to “La femme Nikita” (1990), “Leon” (1994), “The Fifth Element” (1997), “Wasabi” (2001), the “Transporter” and “Taxi” films of the past six years and “Arthur and the Minimoys,” for which he last came to Japan three years ago. “Unfortunately, my Japanese isn’t getting any better, except for sushi. I know the names of each and every fish as they come past on the conveyor,” he said.

The laconic director, who has a love-hate relationship with journalists, has often said that he isn’t going to direct any more films, but admitted that he always finds a project to take on again. Most of the time, he said he is happy producing and writing no-brain action movies, such as John Travolta’s latest outing, “From Paris With Love.”

Growing up, Besson said he spent a lot of time in nature, living in Greece, Bulgaria and former Yugoslavia where his parents were diving instructors for Club Med. He never had a TV until he was 16. “There were no video games or Internet. If you wanted to play, you had to invent games. Then I remember going to visit friends in 1969. They had a TV and I was amazed by images of a guy jumping from a ladder onto the moon.”

Ever since, Besson said he has given free reign to his imagination. “There are so many stories to tell. I keep paper and a pen with me all the time to write down ideas.”

Bourgoin said she learned a lot from Besson. “I found him to be both strict and enthusiastic,” she said, adding that if there is a sequel, she is “highly motivated.”

However, if there is a sequel, apparently Bourgoin will have some competition from Aki Hoshino. The busty 32-year-old “talent,” who has been appointed a “PR muse” for the film in Japan, showed up, wearing a mini-skirt and pleaded with Besson to cast her as Adele in the sequel. After having a good look, Besson said: “Well, if you were dressed like that on the set every day, we wouldn’t get much work done. Why don’t you star in ‘Adele in Wonderland’ instead?”  

“Les aventures extraordinaires d’Adèle Blanc-Sec” opens in Japan on July 3.

Source: www.japantoday.com

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Keiko Kitagawa tackles serious role in 'Matataki'

Saturday 12th June, 03:00 AM JST



TOKYO —

Actress Keiko Kitagawa, 23, takes on a serious role when she plays a woman who loses her boyfriend in a car accident in the melodrama “Matataki.” Traumatized by the event, she becomes unable to recall memories of their final moments together. The film, which opens on June 19, is based on the novel by Ren Kawahara.

Kitagawa and co-star Masaki Okada, 23, were joined at the recent Japan premiere by 120 fans invited to attend via the social networking site Twitter. Kitagawa—who said that she lost many friends her age in the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake—told the audience that the message of the film is that “we should make every moment of our life count because it can be lost in an instant.”

The busy Kitagawa can also be currently seen in the Fuji TV drama “Tsuki no Koibito - Moon Lovers.”

Source: www.japantoday.com

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Idol groups AKB48, SKE48 to perform in Macau

Sunday 13th June, 04:57 AM JST



TOKYO —

Two of Japan’s popular idol groups—AKB48 and SKE48—will be performing a live concert for the first time in Macao in November. SKE48 is a Nagoya-based sister unit of AKB48.

AKB48 member Atsuko Maeda said of the “AKB48 SKE48 Live in Asia” show: “It’s always been a dream to head out into Asia, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

Source: www.japantoday.com

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After Ebi-chan, who'll be next down the aisle — Yu Yamada or Moe Oshikiri?

Monday 14th June, 04:00 AM JST



TOKYO —

The countdown is almost over in the wait for the Paris wedding between model Yuri Ebihara and Rip Slyme’s Ilmari, which is to take place on Wednesday. But now that Ebi-chan’s wedding is almost a done deal, media attention is focusing on her fellow CanCam and AneCam models Moe Oshikiri and Yu Yamada to see who will be next to walk down the aisle.

Yamada, who is 25, once declared that she wanted to be married by 28. But, as one celebrity journalist explains, “Yamada moved in with boyfriend Shun Oguri last year after only having dated him for five months, and after a while he got tired of her persistence and gave up on the relationship. Apparently he’s demanding she give him back the key to his apartment and she refuses. It doesn’t look like Yamada will be walking down the aisle any time soon.”

Oshikiri, who has hit the ripe age of 30, broke up with boyfriend—Giants pitcher Takahiko Nomaguchi—last autumn, and not a word about a budding romance has been heard since.

Source: www.japantoday.com

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Mother-daughter pair team up for 'Anpanman' movies

Tuesday 15th June, 03:25 AM JST



TOKYO —

Actress Miki Nakatani, 34, and enka singer Sakura Maya, 11, appeared at a parent-child photo shoot held at the New Otani hotel for the anime movie “Sore Ike! Anpanman - Black Nose to Maho no Uta.” Both first-timers to the world of voice acting, Nakatani provided her voice to a character in the movie, while Sakura did the same for the double-feature “Hashire! Wakuwaku Anpanman Gran Prix.”

Nakatani, who plays the character Cana, said, “I’m so happy to have played such a charming character.” Sakura, who plays Tamanegi Magi-chan, said she identified with the character’s “competitive side and disdain for losing.” At the end of the event, the pair joined the rest of the audience in singing the anime’s classic theme, “Anpanman no March.”

The movie opens July 10.

Source: www.japantoday.com

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Kutsuna, Ikematsu pick up movie romance award

Tuesday 15th June, 02:11 PM JST



TOKYO —

Actress Shiori Kutsuna, 17, and actor Sosuke Ikematsu, 19, who star in “Hanbun no tsuki ga noboru sora” (Sky with rising half moon) were honored Monday with the “The First JAPAN ROMANCE AWARD” held in Tokyo.

Kutsuna and Ikematsu won their awards in the creative romance department. “I’m so happy to win this inaugural award for a movie romance because it is a work I have deep feelings for,” said Kutsuna.

Source: www.japantoday.com

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Henmi touts healthy lifestyle

Wednesday 16th June, 04:00 AM JST



TOKYO —

“Talent” Emiri Henmi, 33, gave a talk regarding healthy lifestyle at an event in Tokyo this week, telling participants that, “I always eat a lot of vegetables, and couldn’t do without things like veggie juice and drinkable yogurt. I do a lot of walking at the gym, and take a bath every night.”

Henmi, who divorced comedian Yuichi Kimura two years ago, added, “Recently I’m really loving manga cafes.”

The event was held by the NPO Green Heart.

Source: www.japantoday.com

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Man Arrested for AKB48 Threats       

June 11, 2010



Tokyo police said today that they had arrested a 27-year-old Hiroshima Prefecture man on suspicion of sending threatening letters to members of popular aidoru group AKB48. Nishimoto Yoshinobu, described as unemployed, is accused of sending the hand-written A4-size letters, which included disposable razor blades, to the group's management office in Tokyo at the end of April. In a less than smart move, he signed the letters "From N.Y." and included his name and address on the back of the envelopes. He is said to have confessed to the crime.

NHK Drama Takes Monaco Prize

An NHK drama has taken a top prize at the 50th Monte Carlo Television Festival. "Hi no Sakana" (Goldfish, photo left), which aired on the network in March, won the Golden Nymph award for Best TV Movie, the first time in 26 years that a one-off NHK drama has won the award in that category. The drama was made by NHK Hiroshima and was filmed against the beautiful backdrop of the Seto Inland Sea. It tells the story of Murata, a successful but gruff novelist, who has moved back to his small native island after a playboy youth in Tokyo. But even a decade later, his only social connection is with his pet, a large goldfish. That is until a young female editor comes from Tokyo to collect his manuscripts.

Sacchi Sues Over Yakuza Slur

Nomura Sachiyo (78, photo right), talento and wife of baseball legend Nomura Katsuya (75), has sued a magazine that recently ran an article suggesting she had connections with organized crime. The weekly "Suukan Shinchou" magazine published a story in its June 10 issue that said Sacchi watched the May Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo in the company of a female member of a yakuza group. Seeking ¥3.3 million in libel damages, Sacchi said she didn't know the woman who sat next to her.

Source: www.japan-zone.com

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Work Takes its Toll on Female Stars       

June 16, 2010



Enka singer Fuji Ayako (49, photo left) is taking a break from work due to health problems, it was revealed on Monday. She is suspected of suffering from cataplectic hearing loss. She attended an event at her art gallery on May 30 but noticed a problem the following day. A hospital checkup indicated that stress and overwork may have led to the condition which if left untreated could threaten her career. She was told to take complete rest for the time being. She withdrew from an NHK concert show on June 1 and has canceled all appearances since.

Anime Company Sues for Noripi Fallout

A Tokyo animation company has sued the Sun Music Production for business losses suffered due to last year's drug arrest of former actress Sakai Noriko (39, photo right). Noripi voiced the lead character in "Dai-chan, Daisuki," an anime feature that was released in June 2007. At the Tokyo District Court on Monday, the anime company sought ¥21 million for lost revenue from TV and DVD distribution of the movie.

Source: www.japan-zone.com

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Ginpunchou Breaks Rib in Stage Fall

Actress Ginpunchou (58) is making a speedy recovery from a broken rib suffered during rehearsals. The injury happened after she fell from a 2m-high set on the stage at the Tokyo Geijutsu Gekijo theater. She was taken to hospital but is now resting at home. The show is scheduled to run from June 20 to August 8. Takahashi Keiko (55) will stand in until Ginpunchou makes a full recovery, which she is expected to do after June 25. The production of "Za Character" stars Miyazawa Rie (37) and is produced by Noda Hideki (54).

Source: www.japan-zone.com

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Nana Eikura, Eriko Sato face off in "Nakanai to Kimeta Hi" special
Fri, June 11, 2010 (9:57am EDT)



Last season's Fuji TV drama series "Nakanai to Kimeta Hi," starring Nana Eikura (22), will return this summer for a special episode. "Zettai Nakanai to Kimeta Hi ~ Kinkyuu Special" will have Eikura reprise her role as a young office worker determined not to run away from bullying in her workplace.



In the special, Eikura has been assigned to a secretarial office, where she faces harassment from a co-worker played by Eriko Sato (28).

Fuji TV plans to air the episode this summer, though a specific date has not been decided yet.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Afrirampo to disband
Fri, June 11, 2010 (10:25am EDT)



Rock unit Afrirampo has announced that they are disbanding after they perform their final concerts this month. Their last shows will be in Tokyo on June 12, in Nagoya on June 19, and in Osaka on June 26.

Hailing from Osaka, Afrirampo consists of vocalist/guitarist Oni and vocalist/drummer Pika (Pikachu). The two women formed the group in 2002 and scored their major label debut with the 2005 album "URUSA IN JAPAN." That same year, they collaborated with Acid Mothers Temple for an album. Last month, Afrirampo released "WE ARE UCHU NO KO," their first original album in close to three years.

Although they are breaking up, the two will each pursue music as solo artists. Both of them are scheduled to perform separately at an event in Roppongi on July 3.

Source: www.tokyograph.com