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Japanese Entertainment News & Info HERE! [part V]
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New York Metropolitan Opera stars, fearing radiation, skip Japan tour
Tuesday 31st May, 03:55 PM JST
TOKYO —
Two of the biggest stars of New York’s Metropolitan Opera have bowed out of a Japan tour, citing fears of radioactive contamination and sending the company scrambling to find last-minute stand-ins.
Soprano Anna Netrebko and tenor Joseph Calleja announced just days before the opening show that they would not join the tour of Nagoya and Tokyo despite experts’ assurances they would be safe, forcing the Met to “scour the world” for replacements, general manager Peter Gelb said Tuesday.
“Part of what makes opera such an exciting art form is that it is so unpredictable,” Gelb said. “If there were a rationality clause in opera singers’ contracts, not many opera singers would perform.”
Japan was hit by a devastating earthquake and tsunami on March 11 that left about 25,000 people dead or missing and crippled a nuclear power station north of Tokyo, setting off radiation leaks. The plant remains unstable, though the leaks have declined substantially.
Tokyo briefly registered nominally higher radiation levels in its air and water, but they have subsided to pre-tsunami levels. There was never any scientific concern of a radiation impact on Nagoya, which is much farther away.
The disaster and the uncertainty it spawned caused a spate of concert cancellations, and the arts scene is only now returning to normal. Along with pop music and sports events, classical concerts by the Vienna Boys Choir, the Lyon Orchestra and the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra also were nixed, along with performances by violinists Hillary Hahn and Anne Sophie Mutter.
“Of course, Tokyo is safe,” said Momoko Serizawa, a spokeswoman for concert organizer Japan Arts. “But the visit by the Met comes at a very important and delicate time and we hope it will give impetus to others to follow soon.”
Not all artists have stayed away - last month, opera great Placido Domingo performed in Japan and later donated $200,000.
Even so, Gelb said Netrebko, who is Russian, chose not to go through with the tour because of radiation concerns and because, she said, she had friends who died of cancer after the Chernobyl disaster in 1989.
Gelb said she told him that she would be so distraught that she wouldn’t perform well and would be a disappointment to her fans. Calleja also said he was concerned for his health.
Gelb said the Met struggled with whether to go ahead with the performances, planned years in advance.
Last month, David Brenner, an expert on low-dose radiation, was brought in from Columbia University to meet with the company. He informed them that radiation levels in Tokyo had returned to their pre-tsunami norm, and that the airplane trip or a simple X-ray would probably lead to greater exposure than the stay in Japan.
“There are cities in Europe with higher levels,” Gelb said Brenner told the performers.
That was enough to convince all but three - German tenor Jonas Kauffmann announced last month he was pulling out. The rest of the 300-plus member company arrived in Nagoya on Monday.
“Obviously, if it were not safe, we wouldn’t be here,” Gelb said. “I feel very strongly that we have a responsibility to be here. I think we are setting an example by being here for the global artistic community and for the Japanese public.”
Gelb said he hoped the Japanese would not take the withdrawals as an insult. “They are great artists and I hope the Japanese public won’t think less of them,” he said.
The tour, the Met’s seventh in Japan, begins Saturday and runs through June 19.
Four singers - soprano Marina Poplavskaya, along with tenors Marcelo Alvarez, Rolando Villazon and Alexey Dolgov - will fill the hole left by Netrebko and Calleja.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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Kaori Manabe recommences blogging
Wednesday 01st June, 06:00 AM JST
TOKYO —
Kaori Manabe, Japan’s blog queen, on Tuesday started blogging again after an absence of over a year. Manabe stopped updating her popular blog in January of last year before closing the site down in October.
Sources close to the television personality and model say that when Manabe was updating her blog regularly, page views surpassed 100,000 per day. Even after she stopped updating her blog, Manabe’s homepage still received 70,000 hits every day.
The same sources say that the pressure on Manabe to resume blogging was great and that she wanted a way to reply to the fans who had supported her all along. She was also deluged with offers from sponsors and hosting companies encouraging her to maintain her
following and continue blogging.
Manabe’s exit from the world of blogging coincided with the expiration of her contract with talent management agency Avilla, with whom she was in a dispute over her contract conditions. Manabe’s return to blogging coincided with her 31st birthday on Tuesday. Her new blog is hosted by Livedoor.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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Kikkawa Koji Settles Down
June 01, 2011
Rock singer Kikkawa Koji (45, photo left) is getting married today and already has a child, it was reported this morning. He and his new bride-to-be, described only as an ippanjin in her early 40s, have been dating since 2007. It is her second marriage but the first for Kikkawa. He announced the news through the website of his fan club.
A champion swimmer in his youth, Kikkawa dropped out of his Hiroshima high school to seek fame and fortune in Tokyo. In 1984 he made his recording debut with the single "Monica" and put out a string of chart-topping releases, becoming just the second artist to perform at the hallowed Nippon Budokan in a debut year. In 1989 he and former Boowy guitarist Hotei Tomoyasu (49, photo right, profile) formed the rock unit unit Complex. With both musicians towering over the average Japanese, the band made a big impact on the local scene. They were hugely popular but sort-lived, breaking up in 1990, until Kikkawa recently announced two reunion concerts at Tokyo Dome in July in aid of Tohoku relief. He also has a solo show lined up at the Yokohama Arena in October. Kikkawa has some high-profile acting roles in his resume, including the 2009 NHK taiga historical drama series "Tenchijin."
Source: www.japan-zone.com |
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Additional cast details for “Saint Seiya” musical
Posted on May 30, 2011 by tokyograph
A press conference for the new “Saint Seiya” musical was held on Monday, revealing the full main cast. Lead actor Kamakari Kenta, who was revealed a couple weeks ago to be playing Pegasus Seiya, is being joined by several other well-known young stage actors, including Uenobori Makoto (Hitouji Yuji in “Prince of Tennis”) as Dragon Shiryu and Tomita Maho (Milfeulle in “Galaxy Angel”) as Athena.
The revealed cast members are:
Kamakari Kenta – Pegasus Seiya
Uenobori Makoto – Dragon Shiryu
Abe Naoki – Cygnus Hyoga
Shinotani Hijiri – Andromeda Shun
Hirose Yusuke – Phoenix Ikki
Tomita Maho – Athena
Matsuzaki Yutaka – Orion Jager
Okawa Genki – Sagitta Maya
Fujiwara Yuki – Southern Cross Khristos
Hayashino Takeshi – Scutum Jan
Saito Yasuka – Lyra Orpheus
Yuzawa Koichiro – Eris
Yoshida Hitomi – Eri
Uehara Kenta – Tokumaru Tatsumi
As previously announced, the musical is based on the first animated movie for the franchise, “Saint Seiya: Evil Goddess Eris,” originally released in 1987. Kayano Isamu is in charge as director.
Performances will be held at Space Zero in Shibuya on July 28-31. Live streams of the shows will also be viewable through Nico Nico Douga.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Shibuya-kei fashion models take on taiko for movie “men’s egg Drummers”
Posted on May 30, 2011 by tokyograph
Shibuya-kei fashion magazines “men's egg” and “egg” are at the center of a new movie by director Yamaguchi Yudai (“Cromartie High School,” “Elite Yankee Saburo”). The film, titled “men's egg Drummers,” features several models from both magazines – including Sato Ayumu and Tanaka Daichi – in a youthful story of friendship.
The project was first revealed in December, but more details have now been released as promotions for the film are ramping up.
Actor Furukawa Yuki plays the protagonist Keita, the successor to a historic Shino shrine who has always led an ordinary life since childhood. One day, before the big annual moon-viewing festival, Keita’s father (Itao Itsuji) suddenly falls ill, leaving Keita in charge of running the festival.
Meanwhile, all of the members of the featured taiko drum performance are unable to participate, so Keita must quickly hold an audition for new performers. Rui, a popular model for “men’s egg” (played by Maeda Goki), shows up for the audition, despite being sorely out of place at the shrine. Several of his admirers – played by models Sato Ayumu, Tanaka Daichi, Yoshida Katsumi, and Saito Chihiro – gather with him, and they begin fiercely practicing for the taiko performance. Although Keita is uneasy about the unlikely crew at first, his opinion of them gradually changes. However, a temple priest (Nagashima Toshiyuki) is secretly plotting to usurp the festival, putting the entire event in danger.
Other cast members include Takabe Ai and “egg” models Kawabata Kanako and Shishikura Kanae.
“men’s egg Drummers” will begin screening in theaters across the country on July 16.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Mizuki Alisa to star in “Hanawake no Yon-shimai” drama series
Posted on May 30, 2011 by tokyograph
Actress Mizuki Alisa (34) will star in a new TBS drama series this summer, making her the first person ever to have a lead role in a drama series for 20 consecutive years. Her part this time is in “Hanawake no Yon-shimai,” based on a manga by Saimon Fumi (“Tokyo Love Story,” “Asunaro Hakusho”).
Serialized from 2005 to 2008 in Kodansha’s magazine Morning, “Hanawake no Yon-shimai” is a comedy depicting the ups and downs of four sisters. Mizuki plays the second eldest Takemi, who has divorced twice and is a single mother of three children.
  
Kichise Michiko (36) plays the eldest sister Fujiko, an “unbeatable” fashion magazine editor. Kanjiya Shihori (25) plays the third sister Sakurako, an employee at a wig maker who is easily swayed by others and who is searching for her true self.Kawashima Umika (17) plays the youngest sister Ume, a 2nd-year theater student at an art college who has zero experience in love.
All four of the sisters are connected somehow to a freelance photographer, played by NEWS member Kato Shigeaki (23). The sisters’ parents are being played by Endo Kenichi (49) and Miyazaki Yoshiko (52).
“Hanawake no Yon-shimai” will air in TBS’s Sunday 9:00pm time slot (currently occupied by “JIN”). The series will premiere sometime in July.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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AKB48's “Everyday, Kachusha” sets new sales record at 1.33 million
Posted on May 30, 2011 by tokyograph
Oricon has released official sales numbers for AKB48’s latest single “Everyday, Kachusha,” confirming that it has set a new record for highest first-week single sales. With roughly 1,334,000 copies sold, it eclipses Mr.Children’s “Namonaki Uta,” which set the previous record of 1,208,000 in February 1996.
Before “Everyday, Kachusha,” the top five singles in first-week sales were all released during the 1990s, during the height of CD sales. Despite the continuing downturn in CD sales, AKB48 has managed to buck the trend and it seems as though their popularity still has room to grow. Although the inclusion of voting cards for AKB48's ongoing Senbatsu election was a factor in the single’s sales, the group was already trending upward in sales for their recent singles.
“Everyday, Kachusha” is the group’s third million-selling single, after “Sakura no Ki ni Narou” (1.15 million) and “Beginner” (1.07 million). They now also hold a streak of 8 consecutive number-ones, a feat that has not been achieved by a female group since Pink Lady in 1978.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Kamikawa Takaya, Takashima Masahiro, Asano Kazuyuki, Inoue Waka added to “Arakawa Under the Bridge”
Posted on May 31, 2011 by tokyograph
A few more cast members for the live-action adaptations of “Arakawa Under the Bridge” were revealed today: Kamikawa Takaya, Takashima Masahiro, Asano Kazuyuki, and Inoue Waka.
This is the fourth cast announcement for the project, which stars Hayashi Kento and Kiritani Mirei. Other previously announced names include Shirota Yu, Katase Nana, and Abe Natsumi.
Kamikawa has been cast as Ichinomiya Seki, the father of the main character Riku (Hayashi) and the head of the Ichinomiya Company. Takashima will play a government ministry member named Takayashiki, who is friends with Seki. Asano and Inoue will play the Ichinomiya Company employees Takai and Shimazaki, respectively.
With this announcement, almost all of the major characters have been announced, with the notable exceptions of the Village Chief and Hoshi. According to the official website, the final cast announcement is coming soon.
Iizuka Ken (“SAI-REN,” “Summer Nude”) is directing the adaptations. The drama series will begin in July in a late-night time slot on MBS and TBS, and the film version is currently scheduled for release in February 2012.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Oizumi Yo celebrates first child
Posted on May 31, 2011 by tokyograph
The management office of actor Oizumi Yo (38) announced on Tuesday that he is now a father. According to the announcement, Oizumi’s wife gave birth to a baby girl earlier that day (May 31).
Oizumi got married in 2009 to Nakajima Kumiko (41), a producer for Fuji TV who has worked on dramas such as “Loss:Time ife” and “Room of King.”
Oizumi will soon be busy with the play “Bedge Pardon,” directed by Mitani Koki. Starring Nomura Mansai and Fukatsu Eri, the play is being performed from June 6 to July 31 in Setagaya. He also recently filmed parts in three upcoming movies: “Moshi Koukou Yakyuu no Joshi Manager ga Drucker no Management wo Yondara” (June 4), “Tantei wa Bar ni Iru” (September), and “Shiawase no Pan” (autumn).
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Kubota Maki pregnant with first child
Posted on May 31, 2011 by tokyograph
Actress Kubota Maki (38) is expecting her first child, it has been learned. She is said to be in her sixth month of pregnancy, putting her due date around October. She plans to take maternity leave starting in mid-July, and the date of her return to work will depend on her health after the birth.
Due to her pregnancy, she will be dropping out of the stage play “Ooku: Daiisshou,” which stars Matsushita Yuki and is scheduled for performances in Tokyo in October and Nagoya in November.
Kubota has been married since June 2006 to a magazine and web designer.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Kuroki Meisa, Tabe Mikako co-star in suspense series “Jiu”
Posted on May 31, 2011 by tokyograph
Kuroki Meisa (23) and Tabe Mikako (22) are acting together for the first time, co-starring in a drama series this summer called “Jiu: Keishichou Tokushuhan Sousakei.” The two will play police detectives on the same special investigation team, though their differing personalities lead them to constantly clash with each other.
Tabe has previously starred in a few television dramas, but this will be the first lead role in a series for Kuroki.
The show is based on the “Jiu” suspense novel series by Honda Tetsuya. Motoko (Kuroki) is a fierce, physically capable investigator with a strong battle instinct, while Misaki (Tabe) is more intellectual, kind-hearted, and naive. The two of them are both working to track down Jiu, the ringleader responsible for a series of brutal crimes.
The original novels also detailed the characters’ love lives, including intense bedroom scenes between Motoko and her lover. It is not yet known how the drama series will depict that aspect of the story.
 
Shirota Yu (25) plays a mysterious man connected to Motoko somehow, while Kitamura Yukiya (37) plays a police superior. According to TV Asahi, the role of Jiu will not be played by a Japanese person, but instead by a popular music artist from overseas.
The series will begin in July and air in TV Asahi’s Friday 11:15pm time slot.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Dragon Ash’s Furuya Kenji hospitalized
Posted on June 1, 2011 by tokyograph
Vocalist Furuya Kenji (32), also known as Kj of the rock band Dragon Ash, was recently admitted to the hospital for a condition described as “multiple hemorrhagic gastric ulcers.”
Dragon Ash performed in Shin-kiba, Tokyo, on May 29 as part of the “ROCKS TOKYO 2011? event. He was already feeling ill at the time, and he took the stage with the help of medicine and an intravenous drip. However, when he later went to the hospital for a detailed examination, he was diagnosed with serious ulcers and was advised to undergo a month of treatment.
Due to Furuya’s hospitalization, Dragon Ash’s performance in Akasaka, Tokyo, on June 3 has been postponed until July 28. The band is also scheduled to participate in the Kyoto Daisakusen 2011 festival on July 10, but it has not yet been determined whether Furuya will recover in time.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Charts: AKB48, Lady Gaga, GLAY
Posted on June 1, 2011 by tokyograph
Idol group AKB48 took #1 on the sales charts this week, as they set a new all-time record for highest first-week sales at more than 1.33 million copies. “Everyday, Kachusha” also set the record for highest first-day sales (942,475) and went on to reach the 1 million mark in its second day in stores.
This week’s top ten consisted almost entirely of new releases, but one of the more notable ones was “Maru Maru Mori Mori!” at #3. The song was sung by 6-year-old stars Ashida Mana and Suzuki Fuku (and a talking dog) as the theme song for their drama series “Marumo no Okite.” At an average age of 6 years old, they are now the youngest group ever to have a Top 10 single. The previous record was 10.5 years old, set by Kigurumi with the song “Tarako Tarako Tarako” in 2006. Counting solo artists, they are tied with Minagawa Osamu, whose “Kuroneko no Tango” topped the charts in 1969.
AKB48 – Everyday, Kachusha – 1,333,969
Team Amuse!! – Let's try again – 189,917
Kaoru to Yuki, Tama ni Mook – Maru Maru Mori Mori! – 34,781
TOKIO – Miageta Ryusei – 25,370
the GazettE – VORTEX – 23,902
C-ute – Momoiro Sparkling – 18,172
Kuraki Mai – Mou Ichido – 16,378
Kuroyume – Aron – 15,489
Horie Yui – PRESENTER – 14,438
Perfume – Laser Beam / Kasuka na Kaori – 13,615
In albums, the #1 spot went to Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way,” selling close to 184,000 copies. This is her first time to top the charts in Japan. The last foreign solo artist to have a #1 album was Michael Jackson in 2009.
Lady Gaga – Born This Way – 183,845
UNICORN – Z – 54,139
capsule – WORLD OF FANTASY – 20,814
Amuro Namie – Checkmate! – 17,597
Hirano Aya – AYA MUSEUM – 14,043
NAOTO INTI RAYMI – ADVENTURE – 12,437
BIGBANG – The Ultimate -International Best- – 12,100
Various Artists – Songs For Japan – 11,872
Jennifer Lopez – Love? – 7,854
Tokunaga Hideaki – VOCALIST & BALLADE BEST – 7,550
In DVDs and Blu-rays, rock band GLAY topped both rankings in the music category, with sales of 17,000 and 19,000, respectively. They are now the 6th male artist to achieve #1 on the music DVD and music BD charts, following in the footsteps of Thee Michelle Gun Elephant, Kobukuro, B'z, Inaba Koshi, and Kanjani8.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Kii Kitano happy to be the one to propose marriage
Friday 03rd June, 02:00 AM JST
TOKYO —
Popular singer Kii Kitano, 20, participated this week as a guest in the award ceremony of the annual Best Marriage Proposal Contest, in Tokyo. Dressed in internationally renowned bridal fashion designer Yumi Katsura’s newest wedding dress, Kitano told reporters that she was more than happy to wear it and that in the future, she would like to marry a person who can appreciate the aesthetics of a wedding dress.
“In a relationship, I like to be the one who pushes things forward,” Kitano told reporters when asked about her ideal marriage proposal style. “I don’t mind proposing to a guy. I’ll tell him that I’ll make him happy,” she added with a smile.
Kitano also revealed that she has received marriage proposals before.
The singer, who made her debut last year with the major hit “Sakura saku,” released her third single, titled “‘Kizuna,” in March.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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Singers hold another concert in Philippines for Japan disaster relief
Friday 03rd June, 02:46 AM JST
 
MANILA —
Philippine-based Japanese singer Aisaku Yokogawa and Filipino artist Sofia, along with various private organizations, held a concert in a Manila suburb Thursday night to help the victims of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Dubbed ‘‘Arigato Japan,’’ the charity gathering at a Makati City hotel followed up on the earlier the ‘‘Jam for Japan’’ concert.
‘‘After the Jam for Japan concert in April, a lot of artists and groups still really want to do something. So, this showcases the essence of thanksgiving and friendship of both countries,’’ Yokogawa, 25, said. Around 15 performers, individuals and groups, gathered for the event, all sharing their talent.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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Politician husband of actress Maki Mizuno spotted cavorting with hostess
Friday 03rd June, 04:00 PM JST
TOKYO —
Masazumi Gotoda, 41, a member of the lower house for the Liberal Democratic Party and husband of actress Maki Mizuno, 41, has allegedly been spotted kissing and fondling a hostess in an expensive Tokyo bar. The news was broken by gossip magazine Friday in the issue released today.
According to the magazine, the girl in question was seen arriving to work with Gotoda on May 23, and then heading to a bar in Roppongi with him around five hours later. The pair were then seen entering a toilet stall together and did not emerge for over 20 minutes, the magazine says.
The couple are then alleged to have headed to a lodge in Akasaka for members of the lower house of the Diet on the morning of May 24 at around 4 a.m. Witnesses say the girl subsequently left the lodging house roughly 4 hours later, at around 8 a.m.
The public relations department of the House of Representatives told the press that use of the lodges is restricted to members of the lower house and their families.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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Megumi Nursing Rocker Hubby
Talento Megumi (29) spoke yesterday about the recent hospitalization of her husband, Dragon Ash vocalist Furuya Kenji (32). The rock star is being treated for multiple hemorrhagic gastric ulcers, which his attributed to overwork. She said, "I'd heard quite a few people have had stomach bugs, so I was keeping an eye on him. But when he had a checkup it turned out be ulcers. Considering his age, he's maybe been working too much." Megumi is currently between projects and is nursing her husband.
Source: www.japan-zone.com |
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Sumo Returns, With NHK Coverage
June 03, 2011
NHK chairman Matsumoto Masayuki (67) announced yesterday that the national broadcaster will resume live coverage of major sumo events, starting with the upcoming Nagoya basho (grand sumo tournament) from July 10. The sport has been in a serious crisis this year as it reeled from revelations of bout fixing. There have been more than two dozens dismissals and force retirements and even the cancellation of the spring basho in March, the first in modern history. A low profile version of the summer basho was held in May in Tokyo, and described as a "Technical Examination Tournament." Spectators were not charged for admission and no cash prizes were given to wrestlers. The fate of the Nagoya basho was in doubt until yesterday, when the Japan Sumo Association announced that it would go ahead.
Explaining NHK's position, Matsumoto said that the JSA has taken suitable steps to remedy problems in the sport. He also added what has now become a standard rallying call, saying that people across the country, including those affected by the March 11 disaster, have been calling for TV coverage to resume. Though the sport's image has been tainted for some time, its current hero is on a path to create history. Mongolian yokozuna (grand champion) Hakuho (26) won the May basho with a 13-2 record, tying former yokozuna Asashoryu's all-time record of seven consecutive titles. In Nagoya, he will be aiming to overtake Asashoryu and improve his own career total of 19 titles.
Source: www.japan-zone.com |
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YOU breaks up with Dragon Ash dancer ATSUSHI
Posted on June 2, 2011 by tokyograph
Talento YOU (46) and Dragon Ash dancer ATSUSHI are no longer dating. This week’s issue of Josei Seven revealed that the two of them broke up about 2-3 months ago.
The couple first publicly acknowledged their relationship in 2009, though it is rumored that they began dating as early as 2006, the same year that YOU divorced actor Matsuoka Shunsuke (39). ATSUSHI had apparently been living with YOU and her 13-year-old son, but it seems that they broke up and ATSUSHI moved out around 2-3 months ago.
Josei Seven’s report also included a photograph of YOU sharing a kiss with a different man at Shin-Osaka Station in late April. It is also said that YOU has gone on dates with actor Ohashi Tetsuji (38), whom she acted with in the stage play “Hymne à l’amour” (“Ai no Sanka” in Japanese).
YOU’s agency declared that it does not interfere with her private life, but it also denied that she is in a relationship with either of the two men mentioned.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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BLiSTAR goes on hiatus due to vocalist MAYU’s marriage, pregnancy
Posted on June 2, 2011 by tokyograph
Female rock band BLiSTAR announced that vocalist MAYU is now married and is six months pregnant with her first child. As a result, the band is now on hiatus as of June 1st.
According to a message from MAYU that accompanied the announcement, she and the man had been dating for a long time. He is not in the entertainment industry, so no further personal details about him were revealed.
BLiSTAR originally began activities in 2004 under the name THE PINK?PANDA. They used that name until 2008, and then in 2009 they re-formed as BLiSTAR, making their major label debut that same year. The group currently consists of vocalist MAYU, guitarist RINA, and drummer NANA-A.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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