Japanese Entertainment News & Info HERE! [part IV]

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cro-magnon guitarist Kosuga Tsuyoshi arrested for possession
Posted on May 1, 2011 by tokyograph



Guitarist/bassist Kosuga Tsuyoshi (35) of the 3-member rock band cro-magnon was arrested on Saturday for possession of cannabis, violating Japan’s Cannabis Control Law. According to police, he stated that he acquired the drug from an acquaintance at an event, and he acknowledged that he was planning to smoke it.

At about 7:55am on April 30, Kosuga visited a convenience store in Kokurakita, Kitakyushu, located in Fukuoka, Japan. A store employee noticed that Kosuga had a plastic bag in his pocket. After Kosuga left the store, the employee found a bag containing marijuana on the floor and reported it to the police. Footage from the store’s surveillance camera showed that the bag fell out of Kosuga’s pocket as he was leaving.

Kosuga likely acquired the marijuana at a late-night event in the same city the night before, where cro-magnon performed as a band.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Tamura Ryo, Kitagawa Hiromi involved in car accidents
Posted on May 1, 2011 by tokyograph



Two separate car accidents were reported last week, one involving comedian Tamura Ryo (39) of London Boots 1go 2go and the other involving actress Kitagawa Hiromi (30).

In Tamura’s case, the accident occurred on April 25 at around 1:50pm in the afternoon. He was driving a regular car in Shinjuku-sanchome when he rear-ended a taxi, apparently because he was not paying enough attention to the road ahead of him. Neither he nor the driver of the taxi, a male in his 50s, were injured. Police are treating the case a traffic accident resulting in property damage.

Kitagawa’s accident happened at around 12:30pm on April 26. She was riding a bicycle on the sidewalk along Meguro-dori in Tokyo’s Shinagawa ward. As she crossed an intersection, she was hit by a vehicle and was knocked down, resulting in a minor injury to her right leg. However, her agency said that she was well enough to participate in a radio show recording that night. The accident appears to be the fault of the car’s driver, a male in his 40s.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Kuroki Hitomi to star in drama adaptation of “Karyu no Utage”
Posted on May 1, 2011 by tokyograph



Hayashi Mariko’s novel “Karyu no Utage” is being adapted as a television drama series, starring actress Kuroki Hitomi (50). The series will run for eight episodes on NHK, in a Tuesday 10:00pm time slot.

“Karyu no Utage” tells the story of a housewife (Kuroki) from a middle-class household who has tried to raise her son with the belief that putting in great effort will result in even greater results, but his laziness leads to conflict between them. On top of that, he meets a woman over the Internet who is a part-timer like he is, and he later declares that they’re going to marry. As the mother faces a widening gap between her ideal and her reality, the story explores the same gap that exists in modern society.

The cast also features Nogiwa Yoko, Yo Kimiko, Kato Natsuki, Minami, Watanabe Ikkei, and Endo Kenichi. The actor playing the son has not yet been announced.

The series premiere is schedule for May 31. Up-and-coming singer Takahashi Yu has written the show’s theme song, titled “Dare ga Tame ni Kane wa Naru.” It will be released as his next CD single in June.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Kojima Fujiko gets first starring role in “Asu no Hikari wo Tsukame” sequel
Posted on May 1, 2011 by tokyograph



Fashion model Kojima Fujiko (17) has captured her first lead role in a television drama series. She will star in Fuji TV’s daytime drama “Asu no Hikari wo Tsukame 2,” the sequel to the series “Asu no Hikari wo Tsukame” that aired last summer.

The first series starred Hirose Alice (16), but this one will focus on a different story with the same setting. Watanabe Ikkei (48) is reprising his role as the head of the “Dandelion Farm” that serves as a place of rehabilitation for youths who have been emotionally hurt. While the new series will again explore the relationships among the troubled youths, there will also be a story of romance between Kojima’s character and a high school soccer captain played by Matsushita Yuya (20).

Other cast members include Morita Naoyuki, Shinkawa Yua, Nishino Mami, Takahashi Kento, Miki Honoka, Fujita Yumiko, and Ogawa Natsuna.

The series begins on July 4, 2011.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Ikuta Toma, Yoshitaka Yuriko star in 2-part movie adaptation of “Bokura ga Ita”
Posted on May 1, 2011 by tokyograph



The live-action adaptation of Obata Yuki’s popular shoujo manga “Bokura ga Ita” (“We Were There”) had its cast revealed today. Ikuta Toma (26) and Yoshitaka Yuriko (22) will co-star in the project, which is being split into two films directed by Miki Takahiro (“Solanin”).

The manga, which started in 2002, has so far been collected into 14 volumes that have sold more than 10 million copies combined. The story follows the romance of its two main characters over a span of 10 years, from high school to their mid-20s. Ikuta plays the super popular Yano Motoharu, whose girlfriend was killed in a car accident. Yoshitaka plays Takahashi Nanami, who falls in love with Yano but struggles with his inability to let go of the past.

Takaoka Sousuke and Motokariya Yuika have been cast as Yano’s close friend Take and Nanami’s classmate Yuri, respectively.

Filming starts this month and ends in July, with locations in Hokkaido and Tokyo. Asmik Ace will release both of the movies in the spring of 2012, and in an unprecedented move, the second one is planned for release just a month after the first one.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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ARATA plays Mishima Yukio in Wakamatsu Koji’s next film
Posted on May 1, 2011 by tokyograph



Award-winning director Wakamatsu Koji is working on a new film about the suicide of legendary writer Mishima Yukio, titled “11.25 Jiketsu no Hi: Mishima Yukio to Wakamonotachi.” Actor ARATA (36) has been chosen to play the lead as Mishima.

As the title suggests, the focus of the film is the events of November 25, 1970. On that day, Mishima entered the Tokyo headquarters of the Japan Self-Defense Forces along with four members of the Tatenokai, a private militia dedicated to the Emperor that Mishima founded two years earlier. After seizing control of the commandant’s office, Mishima delivered a speech from the balcony in an unsuccessful attempt to inspire a coup d’etat for constitutional reform. He then returned to the office, where he committed suicide through the ritual of seppuku (self-disembowelment), which he had been preparing for over a year.

The film will explore the end of Mishima’s life, starting with the formation of the Tatenokai – the youths (“wakamonotachi”) referred to in the film’s title.

Wakamatsu has apparently been planning this project for more than 10 years. For the role of Mishima, he selected ARATA, who previously appeared in Wakamatsu’s “Caterpillar” and “United Red Army.” Terajima Shinobu (38), the lead actress of “Caterpillar,” has been cast as Mishima’s wife.

Wakamatsu aims to release the film in spring 2012.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Rie Hasegawa launches 'Smile and Run' event for tsunami victims

Tuesday 03rd May, 03:54 AM JST



TOKYO —

Television personality Rie Hasegawa, 37, held an event at the Tokyo FM headquarters this week to promote the launch of the “Smile
and Run” charity project. The event aims to raise Japan’s spirits following the earthquake and tsunami which struck Japan’s Tohoku region on March 11.

Hasegawa’s partner, Masaki Kanda, 60, recently returned from a trip to affected areas to deliver emergency rice supplies.

Hasegawa told the press, “For us, there was nothing else to do but try to work together to find a way to help. This is not about myself and Masaki though. We want everyone to get involved.”

Source: www.japantoday.com

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Erika Sawajiri signs with Avex, promises to change attitude

Wednesday 04th May, 04:10 AM JST



TOKYO —

Actress Erika Sawajiri, 25, has announced her plans for her return to the center stage of the Japanese entertainment world. The actress, who was vilified in the Japanese press for her outspoken attitude about the outdated facets of the Japanese entertainment system, is to attempt a comeback under the auspices of her own talent management company in association with industry giant Avex Management.

According to sources close to Sawajiri, she registered her company in spring of last year, since which time she has been making preparations for her Japan comeback. Sawajiri entered into a contract with Avex on April 1 this year.  

Sawajiri added that she plans to concentrate on acting. Sources close to the actress claim that she has been working abroad on a commercial shoot, but that she will soon be returning to Japan for her first comeback shoot.

The actress told the press on Monday, “I would like to get involved in various areas of entertainment, while keeping acting as my central focus. I plan to work hard to change my attitude so that I can be seen as an actress in Japan once again.”

Source: www.japantoday.com

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ARATA plays Mishima Yukio in Wakamatsu Koji’s next film
Posted on May 1, 2011 by tokyograph



Award-winning director Wakamatsu Koji is working on a new film about the suicide of legendary writer Mishima Yukio, titled “11.25 Jiketsu no Hi: Mishima Yukio to Wakamonotachi.” Actor ARATA (36) has been chosen to play the lead as Mishima.

As the title suggests, the focus of the film is the events of November 25, 1970. On that day, Mishima entered the Tokyo headquarters of the Japan Self-Defense Forces along with four members of the Tatenokai, a private militia dedicated to the Emperor that Mishima founded two years earlier. After seizing control of the commandant’s office, Mishima delivered a speech from the balcony in an unsuccessful attempt to inspire a coup d’etat for constitutional reform. He then returned to the office, where he committed suicide through the ritual of seppuku (self-disembowelment), which he had been preparing for over a year.

The film will explore the end of Mishima’s life, starting with the formation of the Tatenokai – the youths (“wakamonotachi”) referred to in the film’s title.

Wakamatsu has apparently been planning this project for more than 10 years. For the role of Mishima, he selected ARATA, who previously appeared in Wakamatsu’s “Caterpillar” and “United Red Army.” Terajima Shinobu (38), the lead actress of “Caterpillar,” has been cast as Mishima’s wife.

Wakamatsu aims to release the film in spring 2012.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Higashiyama Noriyuki, Kimura Yoshino expecting first child
Posted on May 2, 2011 by tokyograph



Higashiyama Noriyuki (44) and Kimura Yoshino (35) are now expecting their first child. According to the Sports Hochi newspaper, Kimura is currently pregnant and may give birth as early as the end of this year.

The two started dating in the spring of 2008 and got married last October. He will be the second member of Shonentai to become a father. Fellow member Uekusa Katsuhide (44) already has two children, though he got divorced last December.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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X Japan’s Yoshiki to appear at Anime Central
Posted on May 2, 2011 by tokyograph



The Anime Central convention revealed on Sunday that X Japan leader Yoshiki is attending this year as a guest. The announcement is not clear about whether he will perform as a musical guest or be there for other reasons, though it does mention that he will be showing a “special video for his fans” at his scheduled panel.

At last year’s New York Anime Festival/New York Comic Con, Yoshiki and American comic creator Stan Lee revealed that they are collaborating on a “music superhero comic book” based on Yoshiki. Based on Anime Central’s announcement, it appears that Yoshiki’s planned video is related to the comic book project.

Anime Central is being held in Rosemont, Illinois, on May 20-22.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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“Wild 7" cast updated, Fukada Kyoko plays the heroine
Posted on May 2, 2011 by tokyograph



The complete main cast of the “Wild 7” movie adaptation was uncovered on Monday during an on-location press conference in Kawaguchi, Saitama. It was previously reported that the film includes lead actor Eita and Kanjani8 member Maruyama Ryuhei as two of the titular group of outlaws, but it is now known that the rest are being played by Shiina Kippei, Abe Tsuyoshi, Ukaji Takashi, Hirayama Yusuke, and Matsumoto Minoru.

Also joining the cast is Fukada Kyoko, who will play the story’s heroine as Yuki, a mysterious woman working as a sommelier at an Italian restaurant. Her character is said to be an important one, holding the key to the story.

As explained in previous reports, “Wild 7? is based on an action manga by Mochizuki Mikiya from the 1970s, telling the story of a motorcycle-riding group of former convicts (the “Wild 7?) who get selected by the police to combat terrorists and other criminals. Nakai Kiichi will be playing the police superintendent who oversees the group.

Kaname Jun and Motokariya Yuika have been cast as newspaper reporters chasing after the incidents that the “Wild 7? are involved in. Yoshida Kotaro plays an official with the Public Security Intelligence Agency.

The film has now been given a release date around the start of 2012.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Kawamura Ryuichi successfully performs 100 songs in single concert, earns Guinness World Record
Posted on May 3, 2011 by tokyograph



Last year, Kawamura Ryuichi declared that he would attempt to perform 100 songs in a single concert, a feat that would surpass the 70 songs he sang during his “70 no Monogatari” concert in 2008. The new attempt was originally scheduled for March 13th at the Nippon Budokan, but due to the Tohoku earthquake on March 11th, the concert was postponed until yesterday, May 3rd. And sure enough, Kawamura completed more than 100 songs, achieving a Guinness World Record.

In 2008, Kawamura had achieved 71 songs in 4.5 hours. His goal this time was to reach 100 in 6.5 hours. The concert started at 2:00pm in the afternoon, and after taking three breaks during the show, he finished at some time after 9:00pm. Immediately after the concert, the head of the Japan branch of Guinness World Records presented him with a certificate recognizing his achievement.

Although Kawamura ended up singing a total of 104 songs, his official record is for becoming the first solo artist to perform 100 songs within 8 hours. Guinness currently keeps only three categories for this kind of record – 1 hour, 8 hours, and 24 hours.

Kawamura divided the show into three parts, roughly corresponding to different periods of his career. He started with his hits from the time of his debut, working his way through his discography. He also changed outfits to match the themes of the different parts

Approximately 8,000 fans were in attendance for the concert. In consideration of the power shortages facing Japan since the earthquake, Kawamura performed the show with about 30% less electricity than a typical show.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Marie broadcasts fashion show live on Twitter

Thursday 05th May, 05:00 AM JST



TOKYO —

TV personality and model Marie held Japan’s first Twitter fashion show in Tokyo, starting at the X-girl store in Jingumae, on this week. Marie, 23, appeared at the bustling store on Tuesday, as well as two other locations wearing a white t-shirt (9,240 yen), a denim skirt (13,440 yen) and seven other pieces.

Marie simultaneously shared photos of 14 outfits live on Twitter, including short messages to explain “fashion points.”

“It was great to be able to see feedback on the screen immediately,” she said. As for the brand, Marie added, “You can wear these garments a number of ways. They are feminine but they can be worn as part of a casual outfit too.”

Source: www.japantoday.com

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Hangry & Angry, Passpo to attend Japan Expo in Paris
Posted on May 4, 2011 by tokyograph



On Tuesday, it was announced that the duo Hangry & Angry (Yoshizawa Hitomi and Ishikawa Rika) will be appearing at Japan Expo in Paris this year, as part of the fashion showcase for designer h.NAOTO. Based on the notice on the convention’s website, it seems that they will not perform as musical guests while they are there.

Then on Wednesday, idol group PASSPO? announced that they will also be attending Japan Expo. The group just released their first major label single “Shoujo Hikou” on May 4, and it captured #1 on the daily sales charts that same day. PASSPO? is not yet listed on the Japan Expo website, but details are likely to be released soon.

Japan Expo will take place at the Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Center from June 30 to July 3, 2011.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Charts: Amuro Namie, Jang Keun-Suk, Candies, Ikimonogakari, Hamasaki Ayumi, Madoka Magica
Posted on May 4, 2011 by tokyograph



Amuro Namie’s first collaboration album “Checkmate!” topped the charts this week with more than a quarter million copies sold. This is her ninth number-one album, though it is also her fourth in a row. With this, she has also managed to release a #1 album in three different decades: 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s.

Meanwhile, the news of the death of Candies member Tanaka Yoshiko two weeks ago reignited interest in the ’70s idol group’s works, causing their 2002 best album “GOLDEN BEST / Candies” to sell almost 4,300 copies in the past week and climb the rankings from #208 to #27. It has been 32 years and 9 months since the last time that the group was in the Top 30. Their 2006 DVD “CANDIES FOREVER” experienced a similar jump, going from outside the Top 300 to #72.

Amuro Namie – Checkmate! – 252,889
Tokunaga Hideaki – VOCALIST & BALLADE BEST – 46,503
Oda Kazumasa – Doumo – 40,640
Various Artists – KAMEN RIDER BEST 2000-2011 – 17,362
GIRL NEXT DOOR – Destination – 16,393
Sata Andagi – Sata Andagi – 12,278
Various Artists – Songs For Japan – 11,340
Soutaiseiriron – Tadashii Soutaiseiriron – 10,455
T.M.Revolution – CLOUD NINE – 9,707
Avril Lavigne – Goodbye Lullaby

Korean actor Jang Keun-Suk achieved the top-selling single of the week with his Japanese debut, “Let me cry.” The only other male solo artist to capture #1 with a debut single in its first week was Kondo Masahiko in 1980. Among all foreign artists (including females and groups), he is the first one ever to accomplish that feat. The hit song “I’m In the Mood for Dancing” (1980) by The Nolans also peaked at #1, but not in its first week.



Jang Keun-Suk – Let me cry – 119,149
Shoujo Jidai – Mr. Taxi / Run Devil Run – 100,461
Kobukuro – Ano Taiyou ga, Kono Sekai wo Terashitsuzukeru You ni – 48,093
Kanjani8 – T.W.L / Yellow Pansy Street – 26,938
BREAKERZ – Tsukiyo no Itazura no Mahou / CLIMBER x CLIMBER – 19,153
S/mileage – Koi ni Booing Buu! – 19,049
UNICORN – Digital Soup / Buta Buta – 17,189
Nakashima Mika – Dear – 15,162
KARA – Jet Coaster Love – 12,811
Kayano Ai, Tomatsu Haruka, Hayami Saori – secret base ~Kimi ga Kureta Mono~ – 11,641

Popular band Ikimonogakari had an impressive showing with their first concert video release “Ikimonogakari no Minasan, KonniTour!! 2010 ~Nandemo Arena!!!~,” simultaneously release on DVD and BD. With roughly 27,000 DVDs and 13,000 BDs sold, they charted overall at #2 and #4, respectively, but they were #1 in both categories for music releases only.

Hamasaki Ayumi also had a big week, finally becoming the #1 female artist in total music DVDs sold. With this week’s numbers, she has now reached 2,313,000 DVDs sold, surpassing Morning Musume’s current total of 2,303,000 DVDs.

Another outstanding sales figure this week was the Blu-ray release of the 1st volume of the hit anime series “Puella Magi Madoka Magica,” selling 53,000 copies. This sets a new record for a television anime, previously set last year by the final volume of “Bakemonogatari” at 51,000.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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'King Kazu' featured in TV commercial for canned coffee

Friday 06th May, 05:38 AM JST



TOKYO —

Kazuyoshi Miura, a popular soccer player dubbed ‘‘King Kazu,’’ is featured in a just-released TV commercial for Coca-Cola (Japan) Co’s Georgia European canned coffee series.

Miura, the 44-year-old espresso lover, drinks three or four cups of coffee everyday, according to the company, which said it had decided to use the oldest active Japanese professional soccer player in the commercial because he is a ‘‘star of the generations of our target’’ consumers for the new product in their 30s and 40s.

In the commercial set in Italy, which started to air on April 27, he drinks the canned coffee with Italian friends while viewing the Colosseum from a balcony.

When asked by one of the friends where the coffee is sold, Miura says, ‘‘Giappone! (Japan)’‘

Miura played for the Italian Serie A club Genoa from 1994 to 1995.

The seasoned striker who now plays for Yokohama FC in the J-League recently made headlines when he scored in a charity soccer match in Osaka for the victims of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, pleasing his fans with his signature samba step to celebrate.

Source: www.japantoday.com

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Tezuka Osamu’s “Ningen Konchuki” goes live-action
Posted on May 5, 2011 by tokyograph



Tezuka Osamu’s manga “Ningen Konchuki” is getting a live-action television series on satellite station WOWOW. Originally published in 1970-1971, the manga has never before been adapted to the screen, either in live-action or animated form.

Also known as “The Book of Human Insects” or “Human Metamorphoses,” the manga tells the story of a naive girl in high school named Tomura Toshiko, who instinctively steals the talents of the people around her. Her resulting transformation – into an actress, a screenwriter, a designer, and an author – parallels an insect’s metamorphosis from egg to adult.

Toshiko is being played by model and actress Minami (24). Minami commented that she is a Tezuka fan, so she was overjoyed to be able to bring one of his works to life.

Minami’s supporting cast features Kitamura Yukiya (37), Tsurumi Shingo (46), and actress Matsunaga Kyoko (29). Minami and Matsunaga will share a love scene together.

The broadcast dates for the drama have not been announced.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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GReeeeN gives away new song “Green boys,” asks for your photos
Posted on May 5, 2011 by tokyograph



The group GReeeeN has just launched its “Green boys Project,” another contribution to all of the people still dealing with the consequences of the March 11 earthquake. The project will revolve around the free release of their new song “Green boys,” which is being used as the theme song of the NHK program “Athlete no Tamashii.”

The project consists of two components. First, “Green boys” is being made available for free digitally from May 6 until September 30. This includes downloadable versions and karaoke versions, and GReeeeN also mentions that you can give the song to your friends for free as well.

GReeeeN is also making the lyrics of the song available in PDF format. The group has also put together translations into English, Spanish, Chinese, Taiwanese, and Korean, so that more people around the world can understand and appreciate the song.

The second component of the project involves the music video for “Green boys.” The group is asking for people to send in photos of themselves and the people around them, aiming to gather everyone’s “hopes and wishes” for the video. However, GReeeeN indicates that the photos can be of any expression, from smiling to persevering to mourning to praying.

GReeeeN plans to accept photos sent in either by mobile phone or by computer, and is even looking for submissions from outside Japan.

More details can be found on the project website. The second page of the website contains the download links for the song, a video of the song with the translated lyrics, and the photo submission form.

Natalie also has a gallery of handwritten messages from the group’s members.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Sasaki, Nagasawa, Takei take part in radio program for kids in Tohoku

Saturday 07th May, 03:41 AM JST



TOKYO —

Actresses Nozomi Sasaki, 23, Masami Nagasawa, 23, and Emi Takei, 17, took part in a program on Nippon Hoso radio station on Thursday for Children’s Day to read to youngsters from disaster-hit affected areas. The broadcast was part of the station’s Meeting of Hearts project, which began on April 1 and is designed to keep Japan’s awareness fixed on the victims of the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck the Tohoku region on March 11.

The trio read children’s stories, and spoke with children from affected areas such as Iwate and Fukushima prefectures. Upon hearing the lively voices of the children, Nagasawa said, “It was heart-warming.” Sasaki added, “I think it did as much for us as it did for the children.”

Source: www.japantoday.com