Title: Japanese Entertainment News & Info HERE! [part V] [Print this page] Author: whitedove Time: 1-6-2011 11:30 PM Title: Japanese Entertainment News & Info HERE! [part V] “Taira no Kiyomori” female cast led by Fukada Kyoko, Takei Emi
Posted on May 26, 2011 by tokyograph
NHK’s 2012 taiga drama “Taira no Kiyomori” already has an impressive male cast lined up, who were announced two weeks ago. Today, NHK held a press conference to reveal the main female cast, adding nine more big names to the roster. At the top of the list were actresses Fukada Kyoko and Takei Emi, playing important roles as partners of lead actor Matsuyama Kenichi.
The drama revolves around the life of the 12th century general Taira no Kiyomori (Matsuyama). Fukada plays his wife, Taira no Tokiko. Meanwhile, Takei plays his concubine, Tokiwa Gozen, who was also a lover to Kiyomori’s rival Minamoto no Yoshitomo (Tamaki Hiroshi).
Out of the nine actresses revealed today, only Fukada and Wakui Emi have appeared in one of NHK’s taiga dramas before. The announced roles are:
Fukada Kyoko – Taira no Tokiko
Takei Emi – Tokiwa Gozen
Narumi Riko – Taira no Shigeko
Kato Ai – Takashina no Akiko
Wakui Emi – Fujiwara no Muneko
Tanaka Lena – Yura Gozen
Dan Rei – Fujiwara no Tamako
Ryo – Horikawa no Tsubone
Matsuyuki Yasuko – Fujiwara no Nariko
“Taira no Kiyomori” premieres in January 2012 and will run for 50 episodes.
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 1-6-2011 11:32 PM Natsuki Mari officially marries
Posted on May 26, 2011 by tokyograph
Actress and singer Natsuki Mari (59) is now officially married. Her management agency announced that she and percussionist Saito Nobu (60) registered their marriage earlier this month.
The two became close as members of a band that formed in 2006, and they started dating the following year. In October 2007, there were reports that they were going to marry, but they decided not to file an official marriage registration and continued their relationship as common-law partners until now.
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 1-6-2011 11:32 PM Hasebe Hitomi returns to show business
Posted on May 26, 2011 by tokyograph
Actress Hasebe Hitomi (26) revealed yesterday on her official blog that she is re-entering show business. She has been on break since April 2010, and in October she got married. But now that she has had more time to think about her career in entertainment, she decided that she wants to give it another shot.
Hasebe debuted in 2001 at the age of 16, and she started acting with the movie “Battle Royale II” in 2003. She acted in several TV dramas, including “Ultraman Max,” and also appeared on a few variety shows. She later began rethinking her entertainment career, and she let her contract with Stardust Promotion expire last year as she put her acting on hold.
As of May 1 of this year, Hasebe has been signed with management agency Hirata Office, which also represents stars like Miyazaki Aoi, Tabe Mikako, and Mori Kanna. No specific plans for her career have been announced yet.
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 1-6-2011 11:34 PM “Yarisugi Companion to Atashi Monogatari” live-action movie announced
Posted on May 26, 2011 by tokyograph
A live-action movie based on Hiramoto Akira’s gag manga “Yarisugi Companion to Atashi Monogatari” has just been announced.
The manga was originally serialized in Kodansha’s Young Magazine in 2007-2008, and it finished with one completed volume. The story is set in a hot-spring town, where a young girl named Yarisu has started working as a companion. It follows the comical misadventures of Yarisu, who is prone to overdoing her job, and a more reliable companion named Shizuka.
Gravure idols Morinaga Maaya (19) and Marutaka Manami (20) will play Yarisu and Shizuka, respectively. Idols Ito Emi (27) and Tani Momoko (26) have also been cast.
Filming will be done entirely on location starting in June. Post-production is planned to be quick, as the movie’s theatrical release is currently set for September.
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 1-6-2011 11:35 PM Aragaki Yui stars in Fuji TV’s next “Getsu 9" with Nishikido Ryo
Posted on May 26, 2011 by tokyograph
Aragaki Yui (22) will star in Fuji TV’s next Monday night drama series, tentatively titled “Zenkai Girl.” The show is described as a romantic comedy with NEWS and Kanjani8 member Nishikido Ryo (26).
“Zenkai Girl” is the first time that Aragaki is playing the main character in a television series, though she has previously had several roles as major secondary characters. In the series, she plays Wakaba, an ambitious international lawyer with dreams of rising to the top. After finding a job at a law office, her boss (Yakushimaru Hiroko) gives her an unexpected assignment: to take care of the boss’s 5-year-old daughter.
Wakaba is eager to do the task well in order to advance her career. While taking the girl to nursery school, she encounters a young man (Nishikido) who is raising a son after being divorced from his wife. As they both struggle in watching over the kids, love gradually blossoms between them.
Hirayama Hiroyuki (33) and Renbutsu Misako (20) will also appear in the show. Filming begins in early June, and the series will start in July in Fuji TV’s Monday 9:00pm time slot.
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 1-6-2011 11:36 PM “Phoenix Wright” movie confirmed, starring Narimiya Hiroki, Kiritani Mirei, Saito Takumi
Posted on May 26, 2011 by tokyograph
The rumored live-action “Gyakuten Saiban” (“Ace Attorney”) movie is now confirmed. As initially believed, Miike Takashi will direct the film, with Narimiya Hiroki starring as the protagonist Naruhodo Ryuichi (known as Phoenix Wright in the English version of the games). Narimiya’s supporting cast includes Kiritani Mirei as Ayasato Mayoi (Maya Fey) and Saito Takumi as rival Mitsurugi Reiji (Miles Edgeworth).
The courtroom-based mystery/adventure series got its first game ten years ago in 2001, initially for the Game Boy Advance. Since then, the series has extended to multiple games, covering the Nintendo DS and Wii platforms as well.
The story for the film is described as being set in Japan in a parallel world, where an increase in brutal crimes has led to the establishment of a new type of courtroom system. Speed has taken priority over hard evidence, as the prosecutor and defending lawyer directly face off in a public courtroom to determine the accused’s guilt within 3 days. As a result, the two sides are racing to conduct their investigations alongside the trial’s 3-day span, much like the original video games.
In order to liven up the courtroom scenes, Toei will be using lots of CG and visual effects. The company has also created a large-scale courtroom at its Kyoto studio. Filming is expected to wrap up in late June.
The movie will be released around the start of 2012.
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 1-6-2011 11:37 PM AKB48's Fujie Reina stars in 3D horror film
Posted on May 26, 2011 by tokyograph
AKB48 member Fujie Reina (17) has her first starring role in a 3D horror movie called “Enkiri-mura: Deadend Survival.” Her co-star is actor Yagami Ren (25), also known for being in the “Prince of Tennis” musicals.
The story is set in an underpopulated village on the western edge of the Tokyo prefecture, where pilgrims from all around the country come to visit a shrine known for being able to sever connections with evil. One day, a TV crew arrives from Tokyo, looking to shoot some footage for a show about local cuisine. The producer (Okada Mayuka) has her crew guided around by a young villager (Yagami), but they soon become entangled in a plot by the village elders (including the chief played by Saiki Shigeru). Consequently, a curse involving an evil spirit known as Enkiri-sama (Fujie) results in the crew’s members dying one by one.
The rest of the cast includes Ishikawa Ryoma, Takai Maho, Yamamoto Saori, Kawaguchi Takahiro, Okamura Yoichi, Iijima Yukari, Takahashi Aya, Saburo, Kitatani Yuri, Hamada Mitsuo, Isomura Midori, and Kasahara Ryoji.
Tsubaki Koichi is directing the film for an October 2011 release. An official website was launched today.
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 1-6-2011 11:38 PM Emi Takei draped in Y60 mil worth of jewelry
Saturday 28th May, 06:18 AM JST
TOKYO —
Actress and model Emi Takei, 17, was the guest of honor this week at an event to launch the Leather Collection at Tiffany’s of Ginza. For the occasion, Takei was draped in 60 million yen worth of jewelry.
When a reporter asked Takei if she had ever received jewelry from a man, she replied, “Only Santa. I’d like to be given jewelry in a place where you can see lots of stars in the sky.”
Also in attendance were actress Rie Hasegawa, 37, girlfriend of Masaki Kanda, 60, as well as model and actress Reiko Takagaki, 31. Hasegawa hinted at the possibility of marriage in the near future, telling press, “I hope to be able to report a special event soon.”
Source: http://www.japantoday.com/Author: whitedove Time: 1-6-2011 11:40 PM SKE48 moves to Avex, new single scheduled for July
Posted on May 28, 2011 by tokyograph
Idol group SKE48 announced on Saturday that they are changing record labels to Avex, and their first single after the move will be titled “Pareo no Emerald,” scheduled for a July 27 release (which happens to be the birthday of member Matsui Rena).
The news came just before the encore at Team S’s performance in Aichi, as well as Team KII’s performance in Tokyo, which was held at the same time on May 28. 18 members of the group also answered questions at a press conference held in the morning.
SKE48 made their debut in 2009 under the label Lantis, and they moved to CROWN GOLD starting with their second single in March 2010. “Pareo no Emerald” will be their sixth single.
AKB48's sub-units French Kiss and DiVA are also signed with Avex. However, SKE48 is the first full group from the AKB48 family to move to that label.
It was previously announced in April that AKB48 and its related groups are performing in this year’s a-nation tour. SKE48 is scheduled for the August 13 event in their home of Nagoya, Aichi.
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 1-6-2011 11:40 PM Matsushita Nao stars in new drama adaptation of “Kurumi no Heya” (Updated)
Posted on May 28, 2011 by tokyograph
Actress Matsushita Nao (26), who became a household name last year with her role in the hit drama series “Gegege no Nyoubou,” will star in another NHK series called “Kurumi no Heya.”
The drama is based on a novel by the late screenwriter Mukoda Kuniko that was already adapted for television in 1982 (starring Ishida Ayumi) and in 1989 (starring Takeshita Keiko). The story is set in Tokyo around 1980, where the serious young woman Momoko struggles to shoulder the burden of keeping her family intact after her father gets laid off and then disappears.
NHK will broadcast the drama on Tuesdays at 10:00pm, for a total of six episodes between July 26 and August 30. Mukoda’s 30-year death anniversary is on August 22.
The supporting cast features Kanie Keizo, Takeshita Keiko, Igawa Haruka, Usuda Asami, Seto Koji, Harada Taizo, and Nishida Naomi.
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 1-6-2011 11:41 PM Kanda Sayaka dating opera singer Tashiro Mario?
Posted on May 28, 2011 by tokyograph
Actress and singer Kanda Sayaka (24) is said to be in a relationship with actor and tenor Tashiro Mario (27), according to the most recent issue of FRIDAY. Their agencies both denied the story, saying that the two are just friends. The same day, both Kanda and Tashiro apologized on their blogs for causing a fuss in the media, though Kanda personally neither confirmed nor denied the rumor.
FRIDAY reported that the two of them had dinner together at a yakiniku restaurant on May 18, and then held hands as they headed back to Kanda’s apartment, where Tashiro spent the night. They apparently first met last year while working on the musical “The Fantasticks,” performed in October.
FRIDAY goes on to say that Kanda’s mother, singer Matsuda Seiko (49), has approved of the relationship, though there has been no other confirmation of this.
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 1-6-2011 11:42 PM Yamamoto Taro leaves agency after tweet causes trouble
Posted on May 28, 2011 by tokyograph
Actor Yamamoto Taro (36) announced on Friday that he has left his management agency SIS Company after 13 years. In a statement regarding the decision, he said that he did not want to cause any more trouble to the company and his colleagues, after one of his messages on Twitter caused an uproar.
On May 25, Yamamoto indicated on his Twitter account that he was originally planned to be in a television drama, but he was forced to withdraw after the media reported on his participation in an anti-nuclear demonstration on May 23. That tweet led to a lot of noise online, and it apparently brought trouble to SIS Company.
The agency issued a statement on Friday, May 27, saying that Yamamoto’s tweet about being dropped from a drama was incorrect and was due to a misunderstanding, but Yamamoto sent out another tweet later that day announcing that he had decided to quit.
“I can’t cause any more trouble than this,” he wrote. “The president and everyone on the staff asked me many times not to quit. In the end, they listened to my selfishness.” He also praised SIS Company for being “serious” and having a “strong sense of justice,” and he pleaded, “I’m not connected with them anymore, so don’t call them. It’ll cause problems for the other actors.”
Yamamoto is currently rehearsing for his role in Miyamoto Amon’s musical “Taiheiyou Jokyoku,” being performed in Kanagawa starting on June 17. The incident is not expected to have any impact on his part in the musical.
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 1-6-2011 11:43 PM AKB48 to hold first dome concerts in Saitama this July
Posted on May 28, 2011 by tokyograph
Popular idol group AKB48 will finally perform their first dome concert. At an event on Sunday, they announced that they will hold a total of 5 shows at the Seibu Dome in Saitama on July 22-24.
Since their start in 2005, AKB48's goal has been to hold a concert at Tokyo Dome, so these shows at Seibu Dome are another step building up towards that goal.
It was also announced that the group will hold a nationwide tour for the third year in a row, starting in Fukuoka on August 1 and ending in Kobe on August 30-31, including a show in tsunami-stricken Sendai on August 12. The tour will span 15 concerts in 13 cities.
In addition to these announcements, AKB48 thanked their fans for making their latest single, “Everyday, Kachusha,” reach 1 million in sales in its first two days.
Transsexual “talent” Ai Haruna and model Angelica Michibata participated in “Real Mystery Solving,” a promotional event for the hit movie “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” on Sunday at Shibuya’s club Camelot. During the event, where guests took part in “mystery solving” around Shibuya, Michibata, 25, appeared dressed in a sexy outfit resembling that of Angelica (played by Penelope Cruz), Jack Sparrow’s new flirt in the movie.
“I’m so excited and happy that the role of Angelica was played by Penelope Cruz,” said Michibata of the coincidence that she and Cruz’s character share the same name.
Meanwhile, Haruna, 38, interrupted the event by making a sudden surprise appearance. “I am ‘AIgelica,’ Jack’s ex-girlfriend,” she told the audience with a laugh and added that she feels “like a real mermaid,” referring to the movie’s plot.
“Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” is currently in theaters in Japan.
Source: www.japantoday.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 1-6-2011 11:45 PM L’Arc~en~Ciel announces 20th anniversary tour, 2012 world tour
Posted on May 29, 2011 by tokyograph
Over the weekend, rock band L'Arc~en~Ciel performed their two 20th anniversary concerts at the Ajinomoto Stadium. After the show, they announced that they will be doing a 20th anniversary tour later this year, followed by a world tour in 2012.
The “20th L’Anniversary Tour” schedule is as follows:
September 9 – Saitama Super Arena (Saitama)
September 10 – Saitama Super Arena (Saitama)
September 17 – Marine Messe Fukuoka (Fukuoka)
September 18 – Marine Messe Fukuoka (Fukuoka)
October 1 – Sapporo Kitayell (Hokkaido)
October 2 – Sapporo Kitayell (Hokkaido)
November 2 – Nihon Gaishi Hall (Aichi)
November 3 – Nihon Gaishi Hall (Aichi)
December 3 – Kyocera Dome (Osaka)
December 4 – Kyocera Dome (Osaka)
The band’s world tour in 2012 does not have an exact schedule yet, but they plan to play in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Taipei, Bangkok, New York, London, and Paris.
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 1-6-2011 11:46 PM Yoshiki and Stan Lee’s comic book collaboration to debut at Comic Con
Posted on May 29, 2011 by tokyograph
During Yoshiki’s panel at FanimeCon on Saturday, May 28, he announced that his comic book collaboration with Stan Lee will have its debut “issue #0? released at this year’s Comic-Con International in San Diego (July 21-24, 2011).
The project was first announced last October at the New York Anime Festival/New York Comic Con, where both Yoshiki and Stan Lee together revealed the news. The two are working on a “music superhero comic book series” based on Yoshiki, and they also said that it would be translated into multiple languages and adapted as a motion comic.
Yoshiki already revealed earlier this month that he and Stan Lee will hold a press conference at Comic-Con International.
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 1-6-2011 11:47 PM Tsunku announces new member auditions for S/mileage
Posted on May 29, 2011 by tokyograph
On Sunday, Hello! Project idol group S/mileage held an event to celebrate the 1-year anniversary of their major label debut. During the event, a video message from producer Tsunku announced that the group will hold an audition for a new member, limited to girls in junior high or high school.
In the video message, Tsunku congratulated the four S/mileage members on their anniversary, but then he suddenly declared that “S/mileage is missing something.” As a result, he decided to hold the group’s first new member audition. The news came as a surprise to all of the fans, and apparently to the group’s members as well. He further added that there is a possibility of a demotion as well, causing an uproar among the crowd.
The number of new recruits has not yet been decided, but they may be added as early as September. Interview rounds for the audition will be held in Shibuya on three weekends in June (June 4-5, 11-12, 18-19). The passing applicants are planned to be announced on August 14. It is said that Tsunku and the current members may be present at the interviews.
S/mileage currently consists of Ogawa Saki, Maeda Yuka, Wada Ayaka, and Fukuda Kanon. The group launched in 2009 and released their first single that year, then went major in May 2010. Their next single, “Uchoten LOVE,” is being released on August 3.
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 1-6-2011 11:48 PM Hamada Gaku, Taira Airi lead suspense drama “Piece Vote”
Posted on May 29, 2011 by tokyograph
Young actor Hamada Gaku (22) has landed his first starring role in a television drama, after more than a decade of acting experience. He will play the main character in NTV’s “Piece Vote -Touhyou no Kakera-” (tentative title), while Taira Airi (26) will take on the heroine role.
The suspenseful story revolves around 7 young men and women leading ordinary lives, who are suddenly rounded up on a ship called the “Piece Vote” (an apparent pun on “Peace Boat”). Similar to the movie “Se7en” which was themed around the seven deadly sins, the drama’s motif will be the “seven modern sins” which Japan’s youths are unknowingly guilty of. The 7 passengers on the ship are accused of crimes they are unaware of, and they are forced to stake their lives in a deadly game played out on the boat.
Hamada’s character is a college student named Wakiya, though he has been nicknamed “Wakiyaku-kun” (“supporting role”) when compared to his successful older brother, a well-known businessman. However, after his brother suddenly dies, a mysterious man appears before Wakiya accusing him of causing the death, then takes him onto the Piece Vote.
Meanwhile, Taira plays Iwami Saki, an office worker who hates conflict with other people, so she always ends up holding back her own opinions and ingratiating herself with others.
The series is being directed by Ochiai Masayuki (“Kansen,” “Parasite Eve”). Screenwriters include Mizoi Eiichi Davis (“Sandaime Akechi Kogoro”) and Yamaoka Junpei (“Majisuka Gakuen”).
NTV will broadcast “Piece Vote” on Mondays at 11:58pm, starting on July 4 (first episode begins at 12:18am). The time slot is currently held by the travel variety show “Tabizaru,” but it will be converted into a drama time slot after “Tabizaru” wraps up its run at the end of June. Along with “Meitantei Conan: Kudo Shinichi e no Chousenjou” and “Rokudenashi BLUES,” this will be NTV’s third late-night drama series this summer.
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 1-6-2011 11:49 PM Synthesizer godfather is feted by a new generation
Wednesday 01st June, 04:15 AM JST
By Don Crispy
TOKYO —
In the last decade, the newfound ability to mix electronic music on a compact laptop has been a godsend for thousands of bedroom producers and world-weary DJs on shoestring budgets. But as any club-goer can attest, the spectacle of them staring into a screen while operating a mouse is often less than inspiring.
Watching Hideki Matsutake work his massive Moog 3-C analog synthesizer, on the other hand, is bewitching. Thumbing his nose at the PC revolution, Matsutake aka Logic System continues to stubbornly hew to his beloved 3-C, the instrument that earned him his moniker as the “fourth member” of famed ele-pop group Yellow Magic Orchestra for the seminal work he did with them in the late ’70s and early ’80s. Through albums like “Yellow Magic Orchestra” and “Solid State Survivor,” Matsutake launched Japan’s torrid, unabated love affair with the synth, and as chairman of the Japan Synthesizer Programmers’ Association, he continues to be an ambassador for the instrument.
Matsutake recently lugged his 3-C to the Freaks Music Festival that took place in Kanagawa on May 7, sharing the stage with veteran cult UK house DJ Harvey and other dance music exponents influenced by him. Some of them, including Harvey, have also recently contributed to “Rmxlogix,” an EP of remixes of Logic System’s influential 1981 track “Clash” issued on his new Motion± imprint.
With re-envisionings ranging from Harvey’s swirly, squelchy house to young Japanese electro duo 80kidz’s hands-in-the-air, crescendo-filled outing, the album traces the line from early synth-pop directly to today’s dance music in a way that makes that history immediately understandable.
“It has been 30 years since I started Logic System,” says Matsutake about his new label. “There was an innovative evolution from analog to digital technology for electronic instruments, which is a part of my blood in music production. I have produced a variety of work in both analog and digital. The only universal thing during the process of progression is that electronic instruments consist of the logic of plus and minus.”
Source: www.japantoday.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 1-6-2011 11:50 PM Shoko Nakagawa dresses as barrista for coffee event
Tuesday 31st May, 04:24 AM JST
TOKYO —
Model, actress, singer, voice actress and illustrator Shoko Nakagawa, 26, was the guest of honor at “Latte study” event at Cafe Nescafe in Harajuku to share her interest in coffee with attendees. Dressed as a coffee shop barrista, Nakagawa—popularly known as Shokotan— told reporters that her nickname when she was 8 years old was “Pelican Babaa.”
When the conversation turned from coffee to dating, Nakagawa said that she was once the subject of a tearful confession of love from her university boyfriend. “It was the first time I’d had a man cry while confessing undying love for me,” she said.
On the subject of her 26th birthday she said, “It’s time to start living a bit more of a rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle. I’d like to have someone around to confess his love for me again.”
Source: www.japantoday.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 1-6-2011 11:51 PM 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.
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.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 1-6-2011 11:52 PM 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.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 1-6-2011 11:53 PM 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.
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.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 1-6-2011 11:54 PM 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.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 1-6-2011 11:55 PM 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.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 1-6-2011 11:56 PM 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.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 1-6-2011 11:57 PM 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.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 2-6-2011 12:02 AM 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:Timeife” 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.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 2-6-2011 12:05 AM 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.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 2-6-2011 12:06 AM 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.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 3-6-2011 11:32 PM 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.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 3-6-2011 11:33 PM 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.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 3-6-2011 11:34 PM 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.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 3-6-2011 11:35 PM 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.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 3-6-2011 11:36 PM 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.
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.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 3-6-2011 11:38 PM 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.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 3-6-2011 11:39 PM 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.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 3-6-2011 11:40 PM 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.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 3-6-2011 11:41 PM Maki Yoko to star in NHK drama series this fall
Posted on June 2, 2011 by tokyograph
Actress Maki Yoko (28) is taking on the lead role in an NHK drama series at the end of this year. Titled “Kare, Otto, Otoko Tomodachi,” the series is based on the novel “Omoiwazurau Koto Naku Tanoshiku Ikiyo” by the popular, prize-winning author Ekuni Kaori.
The story focuses on the love lives of three sisters and their bonds as a family. Maki plays the middle sister Haruko, who turns down a marriage proposal from her beloved boyfriend. Kimura Tae (40) plays the eldest sister Asako, who is hiding the fact that she is suffering from domestic violence by her husband. Kaho (19) has the role of the youngest sister Ikuko, who is unable to understand the concept of love.
Nagatsuka Kyozo and Takahata Atsuko have been cast as the parents of the three sisters. Yusuke Santamaria, Tokui Yoshimi (Tutorial), Miura Takahiro, and Kataoka Reiko also have supporting roles.
NHK plans to broadcast the show as an 8-episode series between November 1 and December 20, running in a Tuesday 10:00pm time slot. Composer Oshima Michiru is handling the soundtrack, while Ando Yuko is providing the theme song, “Kagayakashiki Hibi.” Asano Taeko is in charge of the script.
Maki previously starred in “Shukan Maki Yoko” in 2008, but that series consisted of unrelated episodes by different writers and directors. “Kare, Otto, Otoko Tomodachi” will count as her first true starring role in a television series.
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 3-6-2011 11:42 PM Masuwaka Tsubasa becomes Milky Bunny for singing debut
Posted on June 2, 2011 by tokyograph
Model Masuwaka Tsubasa (25) is about to make her debut as a singer. On July 20, she will release her debut single “Bunny days?” under the stage name Milky Bunny.
“Bunny days” is a song aimed at girls in love, describing the “fluffy, fun time” just before a friend becomes a lover. The song will be used in a commercial for the cosmetics brand CandyDoll, produced by Masuwaka herself. She also appears in the commercial, which is scheduled to begin airing on June 16.
Masuwaka said that she has been dreaming of becoming a singer for a long time. She remarked, “The things that I couldn’t express as Masuwaka Tsubasa, I hope that I can convey them through my music activities as Milky Bunny. Please look forward to it.”
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 3-6-2011 11:43 PM Idol group PASSPO stars in movie “High Tension Please”
Posted on June 2, 2011 by tokyograph
Idol group PASSPO is starring in a movie for the first time. The 10 members of the cabin attendant-themed group will appear in a comedy film called “High Tension Please.” The title is a play on the familiar phrase “attention please,” which was also the title of a manga and a drama series about cabin attendants in training.
“High Tension Please” is the third film produced this year by Universal J, after “Kikkake wa YOU!” and “RUN60.” The members of PASSPO will play cabin attendants in the movie, but the story will focus on their lives at the dormitory where they stay between flights. The pace of “High Tension Please” is being compared to a 4-panel manga, with a promise of a laugh about every 30 seconds.
Fans of the group will get to see the members in situations they are not normally seen in, such as relaxing in their pajamas.
The movie was filmed over 6 days in Sagamihara, Kanagawa, last month. The film is split into three parts, with an estimated total running time of 90 minutes. A premium screening and mini-concert is scheduled for June 18-19 at United Cinemas Toyosu in Tokyo, followed by a regular screening at the same theater on June 25-26.
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 7-6-2011 03:05 PM Talent management agency Ken-On to stage charity fundraising event in July
Sunday 05th June, 05:37 AM JST
TOKYO —
Talent management agency Ken-On, which represents actresses Tomoko Yamaguchi, 46, Misaki Ito, 34, and actors Toshiaki Karasawa, 47, and Takashi Sorimachi, 37, is to hold a charity event to raise money for victims of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.
The event, dubbed “Message 2011,” will include all 41 of the company’s celebrities and take place at the C.C. Lemon Hall in Shibuya on July 27. Various fundraising activities are scheduled for the event, including a talk show at which stars will answer questions submitted by fans to Ken-On’s website. Ito, who hails from Fukushima, said, “It’s a tiny contribution in the long run, but every little bit helps.”
Money raised will be donated to victims via the Japan Red Cross. Tickets are on sale through the company’s webpage (http://www.ken-on.co.jp).
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 7-6-2011 03:06 PM SHIHO, Akiyama Yoshihiro expecting first child
Posted on June 4, 2011 by tokyograph
Fashion model SHIHO (34) is now expecting her first child. Her management agency announced on Friday that she is five months pregnant, with an expected delivery date in November.
SHIHO married mixed martial artist Akiyama Yoshihiro (35) in 2009. Akiyama, who made his mixed martial arts debut in 2004 as part of K-1, is currently a part of the U.S.-based Ultimate Fighting Championship.
SHIHO is reportedly continuing with her work for now, and she has not yet decided when she plans to take her maternity leave.
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 7-6-2011 03:42 PM Tower Records launches idol label with Vanilla Beans, Negicco
Posted on June 4, 2011 by tokyograph
Music store Tower Records held an event at its Shibuya branch on Friday (June 3) to announce the launch of its new idol-only label, T-Palette Records. The label’s first two artists are the duo Vanilla Beans and the Niigata-based trio Negicco.
On May 24, Vanilla Beans had announced that they would hold an “urgent press conference” on June 3, though they gave no details at the time. Along with the announcement of their move to T-Palette Records, they revealed that they are releasing a new single called “Tengoku e no Kaidan” on June 29, followed by a full album titled “Vanilla Beans II” on July 20.
“Tengoku e no Kaidan” is actually a cover of the famous Led Zeppelin song “Stairway to Heaven” (which is also known as “Tengoku e no Kaidan” in Japan). The single’s coupling songs are their early songs “nicola” and “a little crying,” plus a cover of Pizzicato Five’s “Baby Portable Rock.”
Meanwhile, Negicco will be getting their start with the mini-album “GET IT ON!,” also being released on July 20. The group has been active in the Niigata prefecture since 2003, mainly as promoters of the region’s yawahada-negi (a type of green onion), but their victory in the U.M.U Award 2010 idol audition put them on track to debut nationally.
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 7-6-2011 03:47 PM Kurara Chibana looking for Mr Right
Monday 06th June, 11:00 AM JST
TOKYO —
Former Miss Universe Japan and television personality Kurara Chibana, 29, launched her new book “Make it up as you go” on Sunday. Although the title of her book espouses the virtues of flying by the seat of one’s pants and doing whatever works, Chibana told the assembled press that when it comes to men, she prefers the sensible type.
She strongly denied rumors that she is dating kabuki actor Kikunosuke Onoe, 33. “We’re not a couple. He’s just an artist I admire very much,” she said. “I’m turning 30 next year, which is an important year for Japanese girls, so I’m hoping to meet Mr Right sometime soon.”
Source: www.japantoday.com/Author: whitedove Time: 7-6-2011 04:42 PM NMB48 adds 23 research students in 2nd generation audition
Posted on June 5, 2011 by tokyograph
On Sunday, idol group NMB48 revealed its newest recruits. 23 new research students have been added as part of the group’s 2nd generation audition. Their ages range from 11 to 18, with an average age of 14.
NMB48 formed last year, and the group created its first team (Team N) in March of this year. With the group’s 25 current members, NMB48 now has a total of 48 members, though only 16 of them are currently assigned to a team.
The new members are:
Azuma Yuki
Ishida Yumi
Uno Mizuki
Otani Riko
Okada Risako
Koga Narumi
Kodakari Yuka
Sato Sorai
Shimada Rena
Jo Eriko
Takano Yui
Takiyama Akane
Tanigawa Airi
Nakagawa Hiromi
Nishizawa Rurina
Hayashi Momoka
Fujita Runa
Mita Mao
Murakami Ayaka
Murase Sae
Yagura Fuko
Yamamoto Hitomi
Yogi Keira
There are plans to have a performance for the 2nd generation members sometime this year.
NMB48 also announced on Saturday that they will release their first CD single, “Zetsumetsu Kurokami Shoujo,” on July 20.
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 7-6-2011 04:44 PM Post Last Edit by whitedove at 7-6-2011 16:47
AKB48's Kojima Haruna joins “Ikemen Desu ne” cast
Posted on June 5, 2011 by tokyograph
AKB48 member Kojima Haruna (23) has been added to the cast of the upcoming drama series “Ikemen Desu ne.” Announced last month, the show is a remake of the hit Korean series “You’re Beautiful” with a starring cast of Takomoto Miori, Tamamori Yuta (Kis-My-Ft2), Fujigaya Taisuke (Kis-My-Ft2), and Yaotome Hikaru (Hey! Say! JUMP).
As previously revealed, the story still revolves around a boy band named A.N.JELL, and Takimoto plays a nun-in-training who has to secretly take her twin brother’s place in the group. Kojima will take on the role of the popular idol singer NANA, originally named Yu Hee-Yi in the Korean series. Her character becomes involved in a relationship scandal with the band’s leader, played by Tamamori.
TBS will broadcast “Ikemen Desu ne” on Friday nights at 10:00pm this summer, starting in July.
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 7-6-2011 04:51 PM Matsumoto Hitoshi’s “Dai-Nipponjin” getting Hollywood remake
Posted on June 5, 2011 by tokyograph
“Dai-Nipponjin,” the directorial debut of comedian and Downtown member Matsumoto Hitoshi (47), has a Hollywood remake in the works. Columbia Pictures has picked up the remake rights and attached producer Neil H. Moritz (“Prison Break”) and screenwriters Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi (“The Clash of the Titans”) to the project.
The cast and release window are still unknown. Matsumoto will have an advisory role in the story changes.
Originally released in 2007, “Dai-Nipponjin” is an odd documentary-like comedy starring Matsumoto as a seemingly ordinary man who transforms into a gigantic hero. Despite constantly saving Japan from monsters in publicly televised battles, he gets no love from his family nor gratitude from the public.
The film earned 1.2 billion yen in Japan during its theatrical run. It was released internationally under the title “Big Man Japan,” including a 26-city run in the United States.
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 8-6-2011 05:13 PM Ex-PM Aso to attend opening ceremony for cultural events in China
Tuesday 07th June, 02:08 AM JST
TOKYO —
Former Prime Minister Taro Aso will attend an opening ceremony in Beijing on Wednesday for cultural events in China to introduce Japanese films, TV dramas and animation as a special envoy of Prime Minister Naoto Kan, the government said Monday. Aso of the main opposition Liberal Democratic Party is known as an avid fan of comic books. In a rare move, he will represent Kan of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan at the ceremony to be held at the National Museum of China.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, who agreed in May 2009 with then Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama to hold events to introduce each country’s cultural works to the other, is also expected to attend the ceremony.
The events to be held in Beijing and Shanghai through June 18 will feature such Japanese films as ‘‘Akunin’’ (Villain), which earned best actress honors at the Montreal World Film Festival, and ‘‘Kaabee’’ (Our Mother) by prizewinning director Yoji Yamada.
Yamada and Lee Sang Il, who directed ‘‘Akunin,’’ will participate in the Japan film weeks in Beijing and Shanghai, respectively. Separately, Japanese animation festivals will be held in the two Chinese cities in late November, Japanese officials said.
In Japan, similar events to introduce Chinese cultural works are scheduled for later this year, the officials said.
Source: www.japantoday.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 8-6-2011 05:14 PM Pink Lady play in Tokyo during reunion tour
Tuesday 07th June, 03:31 AM JST
TOKYO —
Pink Lady, a 1970s-era pop duo, performed in Tokyo on Sunday night at Tokyo International Forum. The nationwide tour, which involves 24 performances in 22 cities, marks the duo’s comeback after 30 years.
They played 22 classic hits for some 5,000 fans, including their popular song “UFO.” Kei and Mie, both 53, appeared in great shape despite their long hiatus.
Kei said, “We are touring Japan again because we want to help cheer everyone up, if only just a little.”
A reporter asked Mie, who has been divorced, if she had any plans to remarry, to which she responded coyly, “The fans are my paramours.”
Source: www.japantoday.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 8-6-2011 05:15 PM Conductor Ozawa to perform in concerts in July
Tuesday 07th June, 03:00 AM JST
GENEVA —
Renowned Japanese conductor Seiji Ozawa will perform a special concert in Geneva on July 3 and in Paris on July 6, according to the Geneva-based school he founded.
The 75-year-old maestro, who has been taking a break after undergoing hernia surgery in January, intends to offer lessons at Seiji Ozawa International Academy Switzerland from June 24 before conducting the concerts, the officials said.
Ozawa told an Austrian newspaper in March that he would take a break for treatment until January next year but will make a comeback in only six months apparently thanks to a strong recovery from the surgery.
When Ozawa underwent surgery for esophagus cancer in January last year, he made a comeback last summer.
Source: www.japantoday.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 8-6-2011 05:26 PM Premium Live of “MUCC Day” is now available for viewing on Ustream through paid service
June 6, 2011 by J!-ENT
Tickets Sold Out in 6 Minutes, but Rest Assured!
Premium Live of “MUCC Day” is Now Available for Viewing
On Ustream through Paid Service
Ustream Channel: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/maniac-parade-97-11
MAVERICK DC Group (CEO: Masahiro Oishi) and Ustream Asia Inc. (‘Ustream Asia’ hereafter / CEO: Tomotaka Nakagawa) in cooperation of Sync Music Japan, a project organized to expand Japanese music market to a global scale, will provide paid service for the live streaming of “MUCC Day” on 6/9 (Thurs) to all the viewers around the world.
As the number 69 can be pronounced ‘Mukku’ in Japanese, which is how the band name MUCC is pronounced, 6/9 has been designated as “MUCC Day” over the years. MUCC plans and hosts a special event for “MUCC Day” every year and this year, they’re brining you a special live. The live title is “Maniac Parade 97~11,” taking parts of the titles from their Budokan 2DAYS “Chemical Parade” and “history GIGS97~11” and putting them together with ‘Maniac’ in front. This will most definitely be a special event that any fans would love to watch. There is no doubt that this live will be a ‘super’ live in many ways.
Unfortunately, the sad news was that the tickets were sold out only in 6 minutes when the ticketing began on 5/29! So, the urgent decision was made to broadcast it live on Ustream through paid service. Just as it was for the viewing of their Budokan live, the ticket for paid service is only 690 yen!!
Their previous viewing through paid service for Budokan live on 5/22 attracted many fans from 23 different countries around the world, proving that MUCC stands strong as an active band around the world. With great success of Budokan 2DAYS lives and their contract with a new music label, MUCC are taking another big step for a new beginning. Make sure to keep a close eye on their action not only for this year, but also for many years to come!
LIVE INFORMATION
¦Title: MUCC “Maniac Parade 97~11”
¦Date & Time: 6/9/2011 (Thurs) OPEN 18:00 / START 19:00 (JST)
¦Venue: Shinkiba STUDIO COAST
USTREAM Live Streaming Info
¦Ticket Price: 690 yen (tax in)
¦Ticketing Period: 6/3(Fri) 17:00 ~ 6/9 (Thurs) end of the live
¦Ustream Channel: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/maniac-parade-97-11 <http://www.ustream.tv/channel/maniac-parade-97-11>
¦Live Streaming Begins at:
19:00 (Tokyo)
14:00 (Moscow)
12:00 (Paris)
11:00 (London)
8:00 (Sao Paulo)
6:00 (New York)
3:00 (Los Angeles)
Source: www.nt2099.com/J-ENTAuthor: whitedove Time: 9-6-2011 11:29 PM Ladies love cool Japan, and so does LL Cool J
Wednesday 08th June, 05:01 AM JST
By Kamasami Kong
TOKYO —
“Call me LL… LL is fine,” the 43-year-old rapper, actor, author and star of “NCIS: Los Angeles” confidently says over the phone.
His real name is James Smith, and his famous alias, LL Cool J, is an acronym for Ladies Love Cool James. Raised in Bay Shore, New York, this multi-talented star has visited Japan many times. Right from the beginning of our interview, LL makes it clear he is sending his love and prayers to all those people affected by the recent Tohoku disasters, adding that he feels sure “they’ll do an excellent job recovering.”
Best known for romantic ballads like “I Need Love,” “Around the Way Girl” and “Hey Lover,” LL explains that “NCIS: Los Angeles” — now going into its second season — takes place within the special operations office of the Naval Criminal Investigations Service.
“We do sting operations, we do busts, we do surveillance, we do all the work involved with terrorists, people that are threatening democracy or anyone who might be a threat to the safety of the public, especially if it’s perpetrated by anyone against the Navy, certain parts of the military, Marines, etc…”
LL, a former Boy Scout and paperboy, plays Agent Sam Hanna, a former Navy Seal. “My character is a very, very focused guy. He’s all about protecting his team and the people around him, and it’s very important for him to do whatever’s necessary to make sure the good guys win.”
On the show, Sam Hanna is fluent in Arabic and an expert on the Quran. LL, who in real life dropped out of school to pursue a recording career, adds that Hanna has made use of those specially-acquired skills to better understand his targets’ backgrounds.
I was curious to know if LL could speak any Arabic. The Def Jam rapper responded with some Arabic-sounding terms, but I wasn’t sure if he was just pulling the Afghan over my eyes. However, the in-demand superstar, who started rapping at the age of nine, did say, “I’ve definitely been studying [the Arabic language] so that I can understand what I’m saying and so I can understand the culture.”
When asked if he could actually rap in Arabic or if he’s considered busting out any Arabic rhymes in one of his songs, he impulsively adds: “No, no… I don’t think you want to hear me try that.”
To train for the part of Sam Hanna, LL said he visited Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, where he met and engaged in in-depth conversations with members of the special ops. “These are guys who are willing to put their lives on the line and they gave me a lot of insight, helping me to understand why my character does what he does.”
Since he brought up the Navy Seals, I asked his opinion on the way they handled the recent bin Laden situation. LL paused for a moment, then said with confidence, “I think they definitely won that chess game. Checkmate. And the tournament’s still ongoing.”
LL admits not having been a fan of “NCIS” before he got the part, but after checking it out he enjoyed the banter, energy and vibe of the show. As he says, “I got into it!”
“NCIS: Los Angeles” airs weekly on FOX Japan: Fri 9:30-10:30 a.m. & 8-9 p.m., Sat 12-1 p.m., Sun 9-10 p.m., Mon 3-4 p.m.
Source: www.japantoday.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 9-6-2011 11:30 PM Ozawa thrilled about orchestra's 1st tour of China in Sept
Wednesday 08th June, 03:41 AM JST
NAGANO —
Conductor Seiji Ozawa expressed his joy Tuesday about his orchestra’s first tour of China in September as part of events to mark the 20th anniversary of a music festival involving the group.
‘‘I couldn’t be happier because China is my birthplace,’’ the 75-year-old maestro, who was born in Shenyang in 1935, told a press conference in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, referring to the trip to Beijing and Shanghai from Sept 1 to 11 which will form the second part of the Saito Kinen Festival Matsumoto.
Ozawa, who leads the Saito Kinen Orchestra, also said he hopes the orchestra’s performances in China will help to promote the festival and encourage people to visit Matsumoto.
Ozawa will restrict himself to conducting Bela Bartok’s 70-minute one-act opera ‘‘Bluebeard’s Castle’’ four times in Japan and twice in China as he is still recovering from a hernia operation.
The first part of the festival will take place in Matsumoto from Aug 8 to 31, according to the organizer.
Source: www.japantoday.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 9-6-2011 11:31 PM Tetsuya Bessho publicizes shorts film festival
Wednesday 08th June, 04:55 AM JST
TOKYO —
Actor Tetsuya Bessho, 45, is promoting the Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2011. Taking place from June 16-26 in Tokyo and Yokohama, the festival is set to screen 68 shorts from 23 countries.
As a representative of the executive committee, Bessho said, “Almost three months have passed since the Tohoku disaster, and I am deeply moved to be able to show the world, via this festival, how Japan is still standing.”
Source: www.japantoday.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 9-6-2011 11:32 PM Final “Arakawa Under the Bridge” cast announcement adds Oguri Shun, Yamada Takayuki
Posted on June 7, 2011 by tokyograph
The live-action adaptations of “Arakawa Under the Bridge” have had their cast gradually revealed over the last few weeks, and the final announcement was delivered today. Oguri Shun (28) and Yamada Takayuki (27) have been chosen to play the Village Chief (Soncho) and Hoshi, respectively.
The Village Chief and Hoshi are two major characters in the story. The chief is most familiar in his kappa costume, claiming to be a centuries-old kappa (a type of legendary water sprite). Hoshi, on the other hand, is a self-proclaimed rock star who is in love with the main female character Nino (played by Kiritani Mirei).
It is said that the special makeup used for Oguri and Yamada’s characters requires more than 2 hours to apply.
TBS will begin airing the “Arakawa Under the Bridge” drama series on July 26 in a Tuesday night 12:55am-1:25am time slot. The affiliated MBS (in Osaka) will air the show on Saturday nights at 12:30am-12:58am, starting on July 30.
The movie version is still scheduled for release in February 2012.
www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 9-6-2011 11:34 PM AKB48 expands with Team 4
Posted on June 7, 2011 by tokyograph
Today, AKB48 announced the creation of its 4th team. 10 of the group’s research students have been promoted to the newly launched “Team 4,” with 6 more available spots to be filled in the future.
So far, AKB48 and its related groups have roughly followed a structure of having three 16-member teams (for a total of 48 main members) and a pool of “research students,” though the actual number of members assigned to a team has fluctuated with graduations and promotions.
AKB48 originally started just with Team A and later added Teams K and B. Naturally, they are continuing the naming scheme with Team 4, though it is unknown whether there are plans to eventually add a Team 8.
According to the announcement, Team 4's first 10 members are:
Ichikawa Miori
Oba Mina
Shimazaki Haruka
Shimada Haruka
Takeuchi Miyu
Nagao Mariya
Nakamata Shiori
Nakamura Mariko
Mori Anna
Yamauchi Suzuran
For now, the remaining 6 positions will be support positions, filled in by other research students (currently up to the 12th generation) during Team 4's stage performances.
The AKB48 blog has also announced details of the group’s upcoming nationwide tour, scheduled from August 1 to August 31. Team 4 has been assigned two of the tour dates, on August 2 in Kagoshima and August 8 in Tottori.
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 9-6-2011 11:34 PM Okamoto Azusa stars in suspense film “Sentimental Yasuko”
Posted on June 7, 2011 by tokyograph
Fashion model and actress Okamoto Azusa (18) now has her first sole starring role in a movie. She will lead the cast of the suspense story “Sentimental Yasuko,” scheduled for release in spring 2012.
“Sentimental Yasuko” is originally a stage production by the theatrical group Cornflakes, led by director Horie Kei. Horie is also behind the camera for the movie.
The story revolves around a hostess named Yasuko (Okamoto), who has attempted suicide multiple times before. On her parents’ death anniversary, she winds up unconscious in an emergency ward after being strangled by someone. The police find her cell phone at the scene of the crime, and a veteran detective named Yamanaka narrows down the suspects to 7 men of different ages and occupations, each of whom she has been involved with. As the action proceeds nonstop from midnight to dawn, the shocking past is gradually revealed.
Okamoto’s previously pure image promises to change with this film, and she admitted that she is nervous about the planned bed scenes.
Besides Okamoto, the cast includes Wada Masato (D-BOYS), Takito Kenichi, Sakata Tadashi, Nishina Takashi, Takagi Manpei, Wagatsuma Miwako, Ikeda Narushi, and Yamazaki Hajime.
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 9-6-2011 11:36 PM Kago Ai addresses rumors of relationship, management troubles
Posted on June 7, 2011 by tokyograph
Former Morning Musume member Kago Ai (23) updated her blog with a lengthy entry on Tuesday, addressing an article in this week’s issue of Josei Jishin about her personal life and career. While Kago clarified that some of the reported statements are true, she also said that there are several parts that are untrue.
Josei Jishin’s article said that Kago was placed under suspension by her former management agency, Mainstream, stemming from her newest relationship. The man is said to be a restaurant manager in his 40s, whom she met last August. The two are currently said to be living together.
The man’s identity was further revealed to be an ex-boyfriend of singer Kahala Tomomi. There were reports last year that he committed domestic violence against Kahala, though those accusations have been denied.
Kago apparently had a conflict with Mainstream ever since she began dating the man, as she would cancel work at the last minute. As a result, the agency is said to have suspended her. In January, she reportedly asked for independence but was denied because her contract still had 2 more years remaining. She launched her new blog without approval from her agency, and she has even held performances without going through her management.
In her blog response to the various media reports on the matter, Kago acknowledged that she began having issues with Mainstream around last October, and an agreement could not be reached. In November, her lawyer legally dissolved her contract with the agency. Mainstream still had objections after that, but she says that negotiations are already over.
Kago did not give a clear statement about the man she is rumored to be dating, but she did say that he is one of many people who has been helping her with her ongoing transition to a new management office.
Near the end of her message, she also assured everyone that she would not betray her fans again, referring to the past scandals that have affected her career.
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 9-6-2011 11:37 PM Takeuchi Yuko’s drama special “Strawberry Night” to become series next year
Posted on June 7, 2011 by tokyograph
Last November, actress Takeuchi Yuko (31) starred in the Fuji TV drama special “Strawberry Night.” That special is now being turned into a full drama series, scheduled for broadcast early next year. Takeuchi will return with other main cast members like Takeda Tetsuya (62) and Nishijima Hidetoshi (40), and Koide Keisuke (27) has been revealed as one of the new cast additions.
The “Strawberry Night” drama special was based on a bestselling mystery novel by Honda Tetsuya, part of the “Himekawa Reiko” series. The new drama series will continue the story with several of the other “Himekawa Reiko” books.
Takeuchi once again plays the protagonist Himekawa Reiko, an elite police detective who has quickly risen in the ranks. Because of her keen instincts, she is said to understand a criminal’s thoughts even better than the criminal himself.
Besides Takeda, Nishijima, and Koide, the cast also features Ukaji Takashi, Namase Katsuhisa, Takashima Masahiro, Endo Kenichi, Watanabe Ikkei, and Tsugawa Masahiko.
Filming for the show has already begun, though Fuji TV plans to broadcast it next year, starting in January.
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 9-6-2011 11:38 PM Berryz Koubou, C-ute star in female version of “Sengoku Jieitai”
Posted on June 7, 2011 by tokyograph
Hanmura Ryo’s well-known sci-fi novel “Sengoku Jieitai” is getting another adaptation, this time for the stage. The 12 members of the Hello! Project groups Berryz Koubou and °C-ute will star.
Originally published in the 1970s, “Sengoku Jieitai” is about a unit of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force that travels back in time to the Sengoku period. The story has had two movie adaptations, one in 1979 starring Sonny Chiba and another in 2005 starring Eguchi Yosuke. There was also a television drama in 2006 starring Sorimachi Takashi.
The Hello! Project stage version will be about two inexperienced female platoons of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, separately sent back in time to different places in the Sengoku period. The 7 members of Berryz Koubou will play one platoon, while the 5 members of °C-ute will play the other. Two different directors will be in charge of the story.
Performances will begin on September 16 at the Sunshine Theatre in Ikebukuro, Tokyo.
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 9-6-2011 11:38 PM Rinka’s first child on the way
Posted on June 7, 2011 by tokyograph
Model and talento Rinka (38) is currently five months pregnant, her agency has announced. She is expected to give birth to her first child around November of this year.
Rinka got married in January 2010 to a man in his 30s who works for a construction-related company. Before their marriage, it is said that they began dating about 8 years earlier, though they broke up at one point.
The timing of Rinka’s maternity leave and return to work have not yet been decided.
TV comedian Tanoshingo, 32, attended a PR event for the wireless “3D bra” by lingerie maker Cecile this week. The popular funnyman is using his “love injection” motto to promote the bra, which is aimed at women aspiring to have a more curvaceous bustline.
Tanoshingo, who wears the bra himself, explained how it offers support without giving a sensation of uncomfortable restrictiveness. “I like
to hear confessions of love and I have my eye on a particular dancer right now, so I’ll be wearing this bra and sending ‘love me’ vibes his way,” joked the comic.
Source: www.japantoday.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 13-6-2011 04:13 PM Football meets cinema at Short Shorts Film Festival
By David Labi
TOKYO —
When football meets cinema what you usually get is a broken projector window and an angry proprietor. In the case of the Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2011, being held from June 16-26 in Tokyo and Yokohama, what you get instead is the Football Program.
One of the numerous screenings making up the festival—which range from a 3D selection to be shown in Cinemart Shinjuku and a category of shorts shot purely with DSLR cameras—Short Shorts’ Football Program is presented by the J League in commemoration of its 20th anniversary. When Japanese football’s professional league replaced the amateur Japan Soccer League in 1992, Japan quickly established itself as a leading football power in Asia. Stemming from a decline in both attendance and revenue, 1999 saw the encouragement of many more community-minded activities by teams, and the introduction of a one-hundred-year vision. The aim is to have 100 professional teams by the centenary of the J League. Just eighty years shy of that, we can view the spectacle of eight films from six countries on the subject of the beautiful game.
The most notable, perhaps, is a 1998 offering from “Billy Elliot” director Stephen Daldry. “Eight” tells the moving story of an eight-year-old football fan trying to get used to living in a new town after the death of his father. You’ll be hard pushed not to mimic the little tyke in the opening shot, when he stands on a beach with a homemade Liverpool shirt on and screams in his infectious Scouse accent, “My name is Jonathan and I am eight!” The 13-minute film—as well-shot and poignant as one would expect from the guy who brought you everyone’s favorite working-class boy ballerina—was viewed by Daldry and producer Jonathan Finn as a test run for “Billy Elliot,” which they went on to shoot the following year.
Another one to watch out for among the half-time oranges is an Australian-Thai co-production from New York- and Sydney-based collective The Glue Society. Based on a true story, “Panyee FC” presents a southern Thailand football team spawned in the most unlikely of places—a floating village in the Andaman Sea without a single inch of space to play. Football has always been known as the “great leveler”—even slumland ragamuffins (like Maradona) could play it, as all you need is a ball (between many) and a patch of ground. In this case, these poor kids didn’t even have one of those basic elements. Yet, they defied the norms to triumph in this inspirational story, wonderfully shot and with a cheery bouncing rhythm that packs as much drama and emotion in five minutes as you might find in many a Hollywood feature.
One more worthy entry from the eight films of the program has an old Brazilian man reminiscing about his time in the ’50s playing street soccer with a local kid who would grow to become a legend. Paulo Machline’s “Soccer Story” was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Short in 2000.
Taking place from June 16-26 in Tokyo and Yokohama, the Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2011 is set to screen 68 shorts from 23 countries. The Football Program is just one of the various that will be shown.
The festival has come a long way from its inception in 1999, when just 30 shorts were screened. It is now one of the most acclaimed shorts festivals in Asia. This year, 68 shorts from 23 countries were selected from more than 4,200 submissions. The program ranges from shorts starring Oscar-winning actors to low-budget efforts shot on digital SLR cameras.
Besides the Football Program, here are a few other things to look out.
The Celebrity Shorts & Maestro Shorts program features eight works from high-profile filmmakers, starring Oscar winner Colin Firth and nominees Jesse Eisenberg and Keira Knightly among others. Speaking of the Oscars, the Academy Program will feature the five works nominated the 83rd Academy Awards in the category Short Film (Live Action), including the winner “God of Love.”
The EOS MOVIE Program program gives a glimpse of digital cinema with three shorts by young Japanese directors shot on the Canon 5D Mark II and the Canon 7D, digital still cameras that upcoming filmmakers are repurposing into low-budget but high-quality movie cameras.
This year’s fest is the first to include a CG Animation Program, including Oscar-winning short “The Lost Thing.” While short-form 3D technology can be sampled at Cinemart Shinjuku with the 3D Competition, featuring international works and a seminar by director Takashi Yamazaki.
Focus on Italy, included to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy, features shorts by late director Michelangelo Antonioni and Gabrielle Mucchino.
Look beyond Tokyo with the Short Story “Nagoya” (no English subtitles), highlighting shorts set in the Japan’s third largest city. Or look beyond Japan altogether with the Let’s Travel Project—showing that Japanese filmmakers love their neighbors—with Japanese-Korean coproductions and Korean-made shorts as well as Japanese shorts about travel.
Source: www.japantoday.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 13-6-2011 04:15 PM Ken Hirai dedicates Hong Kong performance to quake survivors
Friday 10th June, 04:33 AM JST
HONG KONG —
Ken Hirai somberly expressed solidarity with fellow Japanese suffering from the March earthquake and tsunami as he promoted his new album in Hong Kong on Thursday.
Dressed in a tweed-patterned three-piece suit and sporting a spiky blonde hairdo, the 39-year-old pop star performed two songs from his new record and his hit “Gently Close Your Eyes” at a suburban Hong Kong mall late Thursday. Fans besieged the ground floor area where Hirai performed and others peeked down from higher floors.
After the brief set, Hirai quickly turned to Japan’s recent natural disaster. He had been wrapping up his new release, “Japanese Singer,” when the twin disasters struck.
“We shouldn’t give up. This is a very tough time for Japan. I hope we can get through this situation soon and see a better day,” said Hirai, whose hometown of Higashiosaka was not affected.
He added that he intended the 13th and last track on the album, whose title translates as “Together,” as a message of encouragement to his fellow countrymen and countrywomen.
Hirai said the title of the album, his first in three years, derived from his national pride and reminded him to represent his country honorably.
“I love Japan a lot. I hope I can do my best as a Japanese singer and not disgrace Japan,” he said.
With eight albums to his credit, Hirai has sold more than 8 million records over a 16-year career.
Source: www.japantoday.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 13-6-2011 04:16 PM Maeda makes comeback as AKB48's No. 1 girl in televised popularity vote
Friday 10th June, 06:44 AM JST
TOKYO —
Atsuko Maeda made a comeback Thursday to the coveted No. 1 spot of the all-girl pop group AKB48 in this year’s popularity vote, dethroning the 2010 winner, Yuko Oshima.
‘‘I’m really happy. I’ll do my utmost,’’ a tearful Maeda, the 2009 champion, said during an internationally televised award ceremony at the packed Nippon Budokan in Tokyo. Oshima, 22, came in second.
Maeda, 19, won the largest number of votes from the group’s fan club members and those who bought the last single. Yuki Kashiwagi, 19, came third, advancing on her eighth-place finish last year.
The annual event, which was shown in 86 movie theaters across Japan and televised in Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea, selected 21 members for AKB48’s 22nd single due for release in August from about 150 candidates including those in similar pop groups, SKE48 and NMB48.
AKB48, a roughly 48-member group consisting of subgroups Team A, Team K and Team B, is one of the most popular idol groups in Japan.
Source: www.japantoday.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 13-6-2011 04:18 PM Superfly’s special free live concert at Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse on June 15 will be live broadcasted on Ustream
Mind Travel
1st and best!2nd and revolution!!3rd and deepening!!!
1st “Superfly”, 2nd “Box Emotions” and now long-awaited 3rd album will be released
on June 15th!!
Her debut single “Hello Hello” was released in 2007. And her first album “Superfly” in 2008 and 2nd album “Box Emotions” in 2009 and both became No 1 on Oricon chart. In 2009, Superfly had performed with Big Brothers & The Holding Company as a guest vocalist at Woodstock’s 40th anniversary festival “Heros of Woodstock” for the very first time for Japanese musician ever.
In 2010, she had an amazing performance at FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL on the main stage; GREEN STAGE.
Superfly’s long-waited 3rd album “Mind Travel” is going to be released on June 15th, 2011!!
And very special free live show will be held on that day (June 15th ) from PM8:00 JPN time at Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse and her exciting performance will be broadcasted on live on internet worldwide through USTREAM !
You can access to this special live show though either Ustream or special internet site “Superfly TV” to cerebrate launching of Superfly’s 3rd album “Mind Travel”. You can watch previous free lives on launching 1st and 2nd albums and music videos on the program “Mind Travel COUNTDOWN! Of “Superfly TV” form June 8th to 14th, 2011.
* 1st program will be on at PM8:00 JPN time on June 8th.
For more details about this online live broadcasting, please check the special site “Superfly TV” on launching Superfly’s 3rd album “Mind Travel”.
In addition, Superfly is going to have nationwide tour “Mind Traveler” (35shows at 32 cities) in Japan starting from June 25th.
For more details, please check Superfly’s official web site http://www.superfly-web.com/ !!
Superfly Free Live Info
”Mind Travel” launching special show
DATE :June 15th , 2011 (Wed)
Door opens 19:00 (JPN time)
Show starts 20:00 (JPN time)
Shoe ends 21:00 (remain go on rain, but no go on heavy rain)
Venue : in front of Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse
USTREAM Live Streaming Info
Ustream broadcasting on live
online / high quality distribution http://www.ustream.tv/channel/sfly
Hashtag : #superfly615
Show starting time:
US NY 7:00AM on June 15th
LA 4:00AM on June 15th
UK London 12:00Noon on June 15h
DE Berlin 1:00PM on June 15th
FR Paris 1:00PM on June 15th
Hong Kong 7:00PM on June 15th
KR Seoul 8:00PM on June 15th
Source: www.nt2099.com/J-ENTAuthor: whitedove Time: 13-6-2011 04:19 PM Maeda Atsuko reclaims #1 in AKB48's 3rd Senbatsu Election
Posted on June 9, 2011 by tokyograph
AKB48 held its 3rd Senbatsu election on Thursday, determining the participating members for AKB48's 22nd single. This year, the #1 spot was recaptured by Maeda Atsuko, after being narrowly defeated by Oshima Yuko last year.
As expected, this year’s election dwarfed last year’s, with a total vote count of more than 1 million votes. The top 40 members received a combined 1.08 million votes, compared to 354,000 for last year’s top 40. Maeda beat Oshima by a margin of approximately 17,000 votes – 139,892 to 122,843. In 2010, Oshima surpassed Maeda by less than 600 votes – 31,448 to 30,851.
Kashiwagi Yuki took #3, up five spots from last year. Sashihara Rino climbed 10 spots to #9. Umeda Ayaka and Takayanagi Akane also took big leaps in the rankings, though they fell just short of the cut between the Senbatsu members and the under girls.
150 members were eligible for this year’s election, making it highly competitive. Like the last time, the top 12 are appointed as the “Media Senbatsu” (for promoting the new single) and the top 21 will participate on the single’s title track. #22 through #40 are the “under girls,” who will be included on the single’s various B-sides.
The single does not yet have a title, but it is scheduled for release on August 24, 2011.
The complete election rankings are listed below with vote counts. Ranking changes from last year are in parentheses.
Maeda Atsuko (Team A) – 139892 (?1)
Oshima Yuko (Team K) – 122843 (?1)
Kashiwagi Yuki (Team B) – 74252 (?5)
Shinoda Mariko (Team A) – 60539 (?1)
Watanabe Mayu (Team B) – 59118 (?)
Kojima Haruna (Team A) – 52920 (?1)
Takahashi Minami (Team A) – 52790 (?1)
Itano Tomomi (Team K) – 50403 (?4)
Sashihara Rino (Team A) – 45227 (?10)
Matsui Rena (Team S) – 36929 (?1)
Miyazawa Sae (Team K) – 33500 (?2)
Takajo Aki (Team A) – 31009 (?1)
Kitahara Rie (Team B) – 27957 (?3)
Matsui Jurina (Team S) – 27804 (?4)
Minegishi Minami (Team K) – 26070 (?1)
Kasai Tomomi (Team B) – 22857 (?4)
Akimoto Sayaka (Team K) – 17154 (?)
Sato Amina (Team B) – 16574 (?)
Yokoyama Yui (Team K) – 16455 (NEW)
Masuda Yuka (Team B) – 14137 (?5)
Kuramochi Asuka (Team A) – 12387 (?2)
Umeda Ayaka (Team K) – 11860 (?10)
Takayanagi Akane (Team KII) – 11674 (?12)
Nakagawa Haruka (Team A) – 10854 (?4)
Ohta Aika (Team A) – 9910 (?2)
Hirajima Natsumi (Team B) – 9742 (?)
Miyazaki Miho (Team B) – 9271 (?6)
Yamamoto Sayaka (Team N) – 8697 (NEW)
Oya Shizuka (Team A) – 7264 (NEW)
Oya Masana (Team S) – 6660 (?6)
Nito Moeno (Team K) – 6288 (?2)
Komori Mika (Team B) – 6120 (?2)
Hata Sawako (Team KII) – 6117 (NEW)
Sato Sumire (Team B) – 5438 (?3)
Oba Mina (Team 4) – 5411 (NEW)
Suda Akari (Team S) – 5343 (NEW)
Maeda Ami (Team A) – 5220 (NEW)
Matsui Sakiko (Team K) – 5020 (NEW)
Ichikawa Miori (Team 4) – 4928 (NEW)
Fujie Reina (Team K) – 4698 (?7)
This year’s election was streamed live to 97 screens in 86 theaters across Japan, as well as 10 screens in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Korea.
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 13-6-2011 04:20 PM Charts: Shoujo Jidai, B’z
Posted on June 9, 2011 by tokyograph
This week’s music sales charts saw the rise of Korean girl group Shoujo Jidai, earning their first #1 on the album charts with their Japanese release, “GIRLS' GENERATION.” The album sold 231,553 copies in its first week, surpassing BoA’s 2002 album “Listen to My Heart” (230,590) for the record of “highest first-week sales for a first album in Japan by a foreign artist.”
Among foreign female groups, Shoujo Jidai is only the second in history (after t.A.T.u. in 2003) to have a #1 first album.
Shoujo Jidai – GIRLS' GENERATION – 231,553
UVERworld – LIFE 6 SENSE – 95,235
Sandaime J Soul Brothers – J Soul Brothers – 93,548
Lady Gaga – Born This Way – 64,802
Hikawa Kiyoshi – Enka Meikyoku Collection 14 ~Ano Ko to Nogiku to Watashibune~ – 32,551
Abe Mao – Su. – 24,395
Toyosaki Aki – love your life, love my life – 22,447
Tokunaga Hideaki – VOCALIST & BALLADE BEST – 13,557
Amuro Namie – Checkmate! – 12,377
Matsuda Seiko – Cherish – 11,688
In singles, B'z took the top spot with their 49th single “Don't Wanna Lie.” This extends the records they hold for “most #1 singles” and “most consecutive #1 singles,” now both at 45.
Mizumori Kaori entered the rankings at 7th with her “Shounai Heiya Kaze no Naka.” As a female enka artist, this makes her the new record-holder for “most top 10 singles” (8), and it extends two related records that she already held: “most consecutive top 10 singles” (8) and “most consecutive years with a top 10 single” (8).
B'z – Don't Wanna Lie – 168,917
AKB48 – Everyday, Kachusha – 119,154
YUI – HELLO ~Paradise Kiss~ – 69,838
Team Amuse! – Let's try again – 48,461
Golden Bomber – Boku Quest – 40,704
Kaoru to Yuki, Tama ni Mook – Maru Maru Mori Mori! – 33,623
Mizumori Kaori – Shounai Heiya Kaze no Naka – 28,532
the HIATUS – Hatching Mayflies – 22,668
JUJU – Mata Ashita... – 18,945
vistlip – SINDRA – 9,858
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 13-6-2011 04:24 PM Sometani Shota, Nikaido Fumi star in Sono Sion’s “Himizu”
Posted on June 9, 2011 by tokyograph
The stars of Sono Sion’s upcoming movie “Himizu” have just been revealed. Sometani Shota (18) will play the main character, while Nikaido Fumi (16) will play the heroine of the story.
Announced in April, “Himizu” is an adaptation of the Furuya Minoru manga of the same name. Unlike Furuya’s more famous comedy works such as “Ping-Pong Club,” the manga is a serious tale of a boy (Sometani) who descends into darkness after a certain incident in his youth. Nikaido will play one of his classmates.
Sometani’s recent works include “Usotsuki Mi-kun to Kowareta Ma-chan” and the upcoming “Always: Sanchome no Yuhi '64.” Nikaido’s works include “Gama no Abura” and “Gekijoban Shinsei Kamattechan Rock 'n' Roll wa Naritomanai.”
Filming for “Himizu” already finished in Ibaraki last month. Theatrical release is scheduled for spring 2012.
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 13-6-2011 04:25 PM Emiri Henmi and Kenji Matsuda marry at Meiji Shrine
Saturday 11th June, 06:45 AM JST
TOKYO —
TV personality Emiri Henmi, 34, and actor husband Kenji Matsuda, 39, held their wedding ceremony at Meiji Jingu on Wednesday, their agencies announced on Friday. Photos of Henmi in a white kimono walking to the shrine with the assistance of her mother Mari Henmi, as well as photos of her with Matsuda, were sent to tabloids on Thursday.
The couple celebrated afterward with a group of 20 friends and family at a restaurant in Tokyo. Henmi also sent a tweet to fans saying, “Today, I got married at Meiji Jingu!”
After receiving messages of congratulation from fans and celebrity reporters alike, Henmi—who was married once before from 2006 to 2008—tweeted, “I’m sorry I couldn’t invite you all to the wedding. It’s my second time, so this one was smaller.”
Source: www.japantoday.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 13-6-2011 04:28 PM Koyuki makes first wedding dress appearance after marriage to Matsuyama
Sunday 12th June, 05:33 AM JST
TOKYO —
Actress Koyuki, 34, appeared in a wedding dress for the first time after her recent marriage to actor Kenichi Matsuyama, 26, but it was a PR shot for her new movie “Tantei wa Bar ni Iru,” directed by Hajime Hashimoto.
In the movie, Koyuki plays Saori Kirishima, a widow and a bar owner, who falls in love again and remarries. The wedding scene was filmed in March, right before Koyuki and Matsuyama’s marriage. “The dress was designed to fit my character perfectly,” Koyuki said. “It has a very special meaning for me and I like it very much.”
“Tantei wa Bar ni Iru” opens in theaters on Sept 10.
Source: www.japantoday.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 15-6-2011 08:08 PM Oda, Kuroki, Ito team up for 'Amalfi' sequel
Entertainment Jun. 13, 2011 - 05:00AM JST ( 3 )
TOKYO —
Stars Yuji Oda, 43, Meisa Kuroki, 23, and Hideaki Ito, 35, attended a PR event at Tokyo International Forum recently for the upcoming film “Andalusia: Revenge of the Goddess.” The movie, directed by Hiroshi Nishitani, follows on from 2009’s “Amalfi: Rewards of the Goddess.”
“Andalusia” continues the story of the main character from Fuji TV’s popular drama “Diplomat Kosaku Kuroda.” An excited Oda told the press, “I think we have made a fantastic movie.”
This time, the action takes place in Spain and sees Kuroda, played by Oda, tackling international crime. Kuroki plays an elite bank employee who becomes a key witness in a murder case. Ito is an Interpol employee with whom Kuroda clashes.
Kuroki’s powerful character wraps Kuroda around her little finger in the movie, confidently bending him to her will. Kuroki said she worked hard for the role and even learned some Spanish to lend her character more credibility. When asked, “In real life, who is the easiest person to wrap around your little finger?” Kuroki replied with a smile, “That would still be Yuji.”
“Andalusia: Revenge of the Goddess” opens in Japan on June 25.
Source: www.japantoday.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 15-6-2011 08:09 PM Actor Shishido Kai now a husband and father
Posted on June 12, 2011 by tokyograph
Actor and photographer Shishido Kai (44) got married this past December, it has been learned. His wife has been divorced once and has a son from her previous marriage, making Shishido a father now.
According to multiple sources, Shishido and the woman were dating for about a year and a half before they married. She is said to be in her 40s, older than Shishido. Her son goes to the same elementary school as the 11-year-old son of actress Sakai Noriko (40), and Shishido was there during the school’s sports day at the start of this month. Some newspaper reporters happened to see Shishido there, leading to the discovery of his marriage.
Shishido apparently notified his agency around the time of the marriage, but so far there has been no official announcement.
Shishido is the son of the well-known actor Shishido Jo (77). According to Sankei Sports, Jo was unaware of Kai’s marriage, and he stated that the two have not met since last year.
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 15-6-2011 08:10 PM Maruyama Ryuhei to play police detective in “Strawberry Night”
Posted on June 12, 2011 by tokyograph
Kanjani8 member Maruyama Ryuhei (27) has joined the cast of the drama series “Strawberry Night,” which is currently in production and is scheduled for broadcast next year. This will be his first time playing a police detective, acting as a subordinate of the main character Himekawa Reiko, played by lead actress Takeuchi Yuko (31).
“Strawberry Night” was originally a drama special that aired last November, based on a mystery novel by Honda Tetsuya. It was revealed last week that the show is being turned into a full series, using material from the novel’s sequels.
Maruyama’s character in the show is a 26-year-old bachelor named Yuda Kohei. Because his father was a policeman, he followed that same path after graduating from high school. Due to a personnel shortage in Himekawa’s division, he gets brought onto the team with high expectations. His character will be quite the opposite of another young policeman played by Koide Keisuke (27), who has also been added to the cast.
“Strawberry Night” will air on Fuji TV starting in January 2012.
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 15-6-2011 08:11 PM Leader Inui Yoko to leave Nakano Fujo Sisters
Posted on June 12, 2011 by tokyograph
On Saturday, idol group Nakano Fujo Sisters announced during their concert that leader Inui Yoko is going to graduate from the group on July 16. Since this is her 5th year in the group and she recently turned 30 years old, she decided to move on.
Inui indicated that she is not leaving show business entirely. She declared that she has a dream that she wants to challenge on her own, though she did not specify what her plans are. She asked for her fans to continue supporting her in her new endeavor.
Nakano Fujo Sisters (also known as Nakano Fujoshi Sisters) are a 7-member group that launched in 2006. In 2008, they also began performing as the alter-ego Fudanjuku, whose concept involves the members dressing up as male students at a fictional cram school.
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 15-6-2011 08:12 PM Tsuchiya Anna to make first TV drama appearance in “Mitokomon”
Posted on June 12, 2011 by tokyograph
Model and singer Tsuchiya Anna (27) recently finished filming for her first appearance in a television drama. She has been given a guest role in an episode of the long-running historical drama “Mitokomon,” which begins its 43rd season on TBS this summer.
Tsuchiya has acted in several movies before, but up until now she has never had an acting role on television.
“Mitokomon” starts on July 4, airing on Monday nights at 8:00pm. Tsuchiya plays the daughter of a shop owner in the 6th episode, scheduled for broadcast on August 8.
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 15-6-2011 08:14 PM Kitagawa Keiko stars in wartime manga adaptation “Kono Sekai no Katasumi ni”
Posted on June 12, 2011 by tokyograph
Actress Kitagawa Keiko (24) will star in a drama special based on Kono Fumiyo’s manga “Kono Sekai no Katasumi ni.” The manga, which tells the story of a woman who survives the atomic bombing at Hiroshima during World War II, was originally serialized in 2007-2009 and earned an Excellence Prize in the 13th Japan Media Arts Festival.
Kitagawa plays the protagonist Suzu, while Koide Keisuke (27) plays her husband, a naval officer named Hojo Shusaku who fell in love with her after meeting her only once as a child. The two move to a new life in Kure, Hiroshima during the war, a couple years before the devastating bombing in which she loses loved ones and even her own right arm. The story will cover a span of 4 years between 1943 and 1946.
Yuka plays Rin, a new friend Suzu meets in Kure who has a secret past with Shusaku. Hayami Mocomichi plays Tetsu, Suzu’s first love. Other cast members include Ryo, Shinoda Saburo, Ichige Yoshie, and Ashida Mana.
“Kono Sekai no Katasumi ni” will be aired on NTV on August 5.
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 15-6-2011 08:15 PM Japan movie week kicks off in Shanghai
Entertainment Jun. 14, 2011 - 03:24AM JST ( 1 )
SHANGHAI —
A Japan movie week kicked off over the weekend in Shanghai introducing 11 hit Japanese films. Japanese directors and actors received an enthusiastic welcome from more than 100 Chinese fans gathering around the site of a ceremony held Sunday to mark the opening of the weeklong event.
‘‘I hope Chinese people enjoy the earthy and genuine textures of Japanese films,’’ said popular actor Satoshi Tsumabuki, who also expressed surprise that many Chinese fans recognized him.
The film ‘‘Akunin’’ (villain), starring Tsumabuki, is one of the 11 films to be screened at the event.
The film’s director Lee Sang Il also attended the opening ceremony as a guest along with other notable names including director Yoichi Sai and actress Kazue Fukiishi.
The Shanghai movie week organized by the Japanese Foreign Ministry and other organizations is held as part of the Japan-China Screen Image Exchange Program.
Source: www.japantoday.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 15-6-2011 08:17 PM Hiraoka Yuta, Sowelu rumored to be dating
Posted on June 13, 2011 by tokyograph
Multiple sources reported today that actor Hiraoka Yuta (26) and singer Sowelu (28) are in a serious relationship.
According to a person familiar with the situation, the two met through a mutual friend in 2009. They found they had a lot in common, such as music – Hiraoka plays the guitar and piano – and enjoying drinking. They began dating around 6 or 7 months ago, during fall of last year.
Both of their agencies were reached for comment, but the companies did not deny the rumor and simply stated that they were leaving Hiraoka’s and Sowelu’s private lives alone.
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 15-6-2011 08:18 PM Okada Junichi, Miyazaki Aoi star in Takita Yojiro’s “Tenchi Meisatsu”
Posted on June 13, 2011 by tokyograph
V6 member Okada Junichi (30) is starring in a new movie called “Tenchi Meisatsu,” directed by Takita Yojiro (“Okuribito”). He is joined by actress Miyazaki Aoi (25), whom he previously worked with on the movie “Kagehinata ni Saku” in 2008.
“Tenchi Meisatsu” is an adaptation of an award-winning novel by Ubukata Tow (“Le Chevalier D'Eon,” “Mardock Scramble”). Okada plays the role of Shibukawa Shunkai, an astronomer and Go player in the early Edo period who was later known as Yasui Santetsu. The story follows his life as he undertook the significant project of revising the calendar, leading to the invention of the Jokyo calendar that was used for several decades.
Miyazaki plays the wife of Shibukawa, whom she initially meets through her mathematician brother (Sato Ryuta). Kanjani8 member Yokoyama Yu plays Honinbo Dosaku, Shibukawa’s rival in Go. Other cast members include Nakai Kiichi, Matsumoto Koshiro, Ichikawa Somegoro, Ichikawa Kamejiro, Sasano Takashi, Kishibe Ittoku, Watanabe Dai, and Shirai Akira.
Hisaishi Jo is handling the soundtrack. Filming is scheduled to finish in mid-August, and theatrical release is planned for fall 2012.
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 15-6-2011 08:20 PM Former Morning Musume member Ichii Sayaka divorces
Posted on June 13, 2011 by tokyograph
Former Morning Musume member Ichii Sayaka (27) and former musician Yoshizawa Naoki (35) have divorced. Ichii’s management agency announced on Monday that she got divorced on May 23, just one day after Yaguchi Mari (28), another former Morning Musume member, got married.
Ichii and Yoshizawa got married in May 2004. Since then, Ichii gave birth to two daughters, currently ages 6 and 4. Although she left show business for a time, she returned in 2009 and has mainly been active in modeling and acting.
Although Ichii’s agency did not announce the reason for the divorce, this week’s issue of Shukan Josei published a comment on the matter, supposedly from someone who knows the couple. According to that article, Yoshizawa has been negligent in his child-raising responsibilities, leading to feelings of mistrust. It is also said that since his retirement as a guitarist, there was a time when Yoshizawa did not have a steady job.
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 15-6-2011 08:21 PM “Moteki” movie features Nagasawa Masami, Aso Kumiko, Naka Riisa, Maki Yoko
Posted on June 13, 2011 by tokyograph
In March, it was revealed that the drama series “Moteki” was getting a movie version with actor Moriyami Mirai again in the lead role, but the main female cast was unknown at the time. A press conference held on Monday unveiled his new co-stars: Nagasawa Masami, Aso Kumiko, Naka Riisa, and Maki Yoko.
Both the drama series and the movie are adaptations of Kubo Mitsuro’s romance/comedy manga “Moteki,” which tells the story of a man named Fujimoto Yukiyo (Moriyama) who suddenly finds himself very popular with women, something he has never experienced before. In the drama series, the main female characters were played by Nonami Maho, Mitsushima Hikari, Matsumoto Rio, and Kikuchi Rinko.
While the television drama followed the plot of the manga, the movie version is an entirely original story written by Kubo. The protagonist Yukiyo moves on from being a temp worker to writing for a news website, and he soon meets several women who are all interested in him.
Nagasawa plays Miyuki, a magazine editor with a “killer smile” whom Yukiyo meets through Twitter; Aso plays Miyuki’s friend Rumiko; Naka plays a girls’ bar employee named Ai; and Maki plays Yukiyo’s senpai Motoko.
The movie is already set for release on September 23, 2011.
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 15-6-2011 08:22 PM Singer Kawaguchi Kyogo to marry radio host Cecilia
Posted on June 13, 2011 by tokyograph
Singer-songwriter Kawaguchi Kyogo (36), known for hits such as “Sakura,” is soon getting married. His wife-to-be is half-Mexican talento Cecilia (30), who is mainly active as a television and radio personality. The two plan to register their marriage sometime this month.
Kawaguchi and Cecilia first got to know each other about 10 years ago, when they were both regulars on separate radio shows on FM Shiga. They went separate ways after that, but in December of last year they met again through a friend. They soon began dating around Christmas, and it is said that they had been thinking about marriage from the start.
Kawaguchi is starting a tour on June 30, and he is also soon releasing a new cover album titled “Kimi wo Suki Datta Ano Koro 2.”
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 16-6-2011 10:09 PM Cast revealed for Sato Koichi and Miura Haruma’s “Hi wa Mata Noboru”
Posted on June 14, 2011 by tokyograph
Last month, it was announced that Sato Koichi and Miura Haruma were teaming up for a drama series as a sequel to the drama special “Saigo no Bansan.” Today, many more of the cast members were revealed for the show, which has been officially titled “Hi wa Mata Noboru.”
As previously announced, Sato is playing a former detective and newly appointed police instructor, while Miura is playing a trainee cop. Maya Miki plays the head of the police school who opposes Sato, YOU plays the school doctor, and Ishino Mako plays the “mama” of a bar near the school. Ikematsu Sosuke has been cast as a top student at the school.
Other new additions include Namioka Kazuki, Takahashi Tsutomu, Minami Keisuke, Tomiura Satoshi, and Kitamura Tomohiko. The returning cast members from the drama special are Saito Yuki, ARATA, Rokkaku Seiji, and Hashizume Isao.
TV Asahi will air “Hi wa Mata Noboru” on Thursdays at 9:00pm, starting in July.
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 16-6-2011 10:10 PM Tamaki Hiroshi joins Yakusho Koji in Yamamoto Isoroku film
Posted on June 14, 2011 by tokyograph
Tamaki Hiroshi (31) will play a key role in the big-budget movie “Rengo Kantai Shirei Chokan: Yamamoto Isoroku,” it has been revealed. The movie, which was announced in May, stars Yakusho Koji (55) as Yamamoto Isoroku, the commander-in-chief of Japan’s Combined Fleet during the attack on Pearl Harbor in World War II.
Tamaki is taking on the part of Shindo, a reporter at a newspaper called the Tokyo Nippou. At the time of the war, newspapers held a huge amount of influence, and the prevailing opinion was to go to war against the United States. However, Shindo meets Yamamoto for an interview, and as he listens to Yamamoto’s desire to avoid a war with the United States, he changes his own mind and becomes conflicted about his stance on the war.
Kagawa Teruyuki (45) will play Shindo’s boss at the Tokyo Nippou. Other reporters are being played by Masuoka Toru (54) and Hakamada Yoshihiko (37). Seto Asaka (34) will play the proprietress of a small restaurant that the reporters frequent, and Tanaka Lena (31) is a dancer who is another one of the restaurant’s regular customers.
“Rengo Kantai Shirei Chokan: Yamamoto Isoroku” opens in theaters on December 23, 2011.
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 17-6-2011 03:57 PM Aya Ueto, Rei Kikukawa and Shiori Katsuna play sisters in TV ad
Entertainment Jun. 16, 2011 - 04:47AM JST ( 4 )
TOKYO —
Actresses Aya Ueto, 25, Rei Kikukawa, 33, and Shiori Katsuna, 18, are appearing as fictional sisters in a new commercial for recruitment company Dip. “It was a refreshing shoot,” said Ueto.
“I started in this industry when I was 13 years old, but before that I wanted to be a day-care worker in a kindergarten. I received my certificate of qualification in childcare and I love children,” she told the crowd.
Source: www.japantoday.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 17-6-2011 03:59 PM Remembrance ceremony held for Ayako Koshino
Entertainment Jun. 16, 2011 - 12:00PM JST ( 4 )
OSAKA —
Fashion designer sisters Hiroko, Junko and Michiko Koshino held a remembrance ceremony on Wednesday to honor the memory of their mother Ayako Koshino, who passed away in 2006 at the age of 92.
Ayako was one of Japan’s most influential fashion designers beloved of many, including actress Machiko Ono, 29, who also attended the ceremony. The event, named “Forever, Mother - Spirit of Ayako Koshino,” took place at an Osaka hotel and marked the first time that Ono had met the three sisters together. “They are as I imagined they would be. They seem to be singular of purpose and I’m glad I could meet them,” said Ono.
Also in attendance were singer Mitsuko Nakamura, 60, and television personality Kuniko Yamada, 51, who sung a cappella for the guests. The Koshino sisters will be appearing in NHK’s upcoming drama series “Carnation,” which is set to air this October.
Source: www.japantoday.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 17-6-2011 04:00 PM Horikita Maki rumored to star in 2012 NHK morning drama
Posted on June 15, 2011 by tokyograph
According to an unconfirmed report by the Nikkan Sports newspaper, actress Horikita Maki (22) has been offered the starring role in NHK’s 86th Asadora, scheduled to begin next spring after the end of “Carnation” (September 2011-March 2012). Horikita was reportedly chosen without an audition, just like Inoue Mao (24) was for the currently airing “Ohisama.”
Nikkan Sports quotes someone connected to NHK, who says that Horikita’s supporting cast has also already been decided. No details about the story have currently been revealed yet. However, a quote from another source suggests that it will not take place in the present day, but will instead focus on an earlier period in time, like last year’s hit “Gegege no Nyoubou” and the current “Ohisama.”
Horikita has starred in several prime time dramas and movies, but this would be her first time in one of the NHK morning dramas.
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 17-6-2011 04:02 PM Charts: AKB48, Kanjani8
Posted on June 15, 2011 by tokyograph
Idol group AKB48 finally released their first original album, “Koko ni Ita Koto,” last week. Following a string of top-selling singles, the album also had an impressive first week with roughly 602,000 copies sold.
“Koko ni Ita Koto” is the first original album by a female group to sell more than half a million copies in the first week since Morning Musume’s “3rd LOVE Paradise” in 2000 (578,000 copies sold). This still leaves them behind SPEED’s first two albums “Starting Over” and “RISE,” which initially sold 823,000 and 1.32 million copies, respectively.
The sales figure also puts “Koko ni Ita Koto” in the lead for highest first-week sales of 2011, ahead of EXILE’s “Negai no Tou” (481,000).
AKB48 – Koko ni Ita Koto – 601,985
Shoujo Jidai – GIRLS' GENERATION – 94,105
Hirai Ken – JAPANESE SINGER – 60,054
Lady Gaga – Born This Way – 34,783
The Gospellers – Hamorhythm – 22,101
THE BAWDIES – LIVE THE LIFE LOVE – 19,563
UVERworld – LIFE 6 SENSE – 14,005
Il Divo – Il Divo Love Songs Inspired by the film Andalucia – 13,460
Hayashibara Megumi – Hayashibara Megumi BEST Album: VINTAGE White – 13,149
Sandaime J Soul Brothers – J Soul Brothers – 13,045
In singles, Kanjani8 achieved another #1 with “365 Nichi Kazoku,” at around 158,000 in sales. They now have a streak of 5 consecutive chart-toppers, with the last 3 released in consecutive months.
Meanwhile, SUPER JUNIOR took the #2 spot with their first Japan single, “BONAMANA.” At 59,262 copies sold, they edged out 2PM’s “Take off” (59,059) to achieve the highest first-week sales for a Korean group’s first Japan single. They are also tied with BEAST and MBLAQ for the highest chart position for a Korean group’s first Japan single.
Kanjani8 – 365 Nichi Kazoku – 158,141
SUPER JUNIOR – BONAMANA – 59,262
AKB48 – Everyday, Kachusha – 45,903
Acid Black Cherry – Shoujo no Inori III – 40,669
Kaoru to Yuki, Tama ni Mook – Maru Maru Mori Mori! – 39,062
B'z – Don't Wanna Lie – 28,483
Team Amuse!! – Let's try again – 23,713
RESTART JAPAN with TUBE – RESTART – 21,352
Ketsumeishi – Kodama – 20,781
FUNKY MONKEY BABYS – Soredemo Shinjiteru / Love Letter – 20,116
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 17-6-2011 04:04 PM D’espairsRay announces official disbandment
Posted on June 15, 2011 by tokyograph
Rock band D'espairsRay officially announced on Wednesday that they are breaking up. The group had halted their activities since last December due to a condition with vocalist HIZUMI’s vocal cords. However, because various attempted treatments have not worked so far, the band’s members discussed their future, and they decided to disband completely.
Because HIZUMI has still not recovered, the band further stated that they will not be holding a final concert.
D’espairsRay was formed in 1999 by members HIZUMI, Karyu (guitar), ZERO (bass), and TSUKASA (drums). The group was popular outside Japan as well, playing several times overseas even before making their major label debut in 2009.
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 17-6-2011 04:05 PM Jero to star in “Blues in the Night” musical
Posted on June 15, 2011 by tokyograph
Enka singer Jero (29) is tackling his first role in a stage musical this fall. He will star in a Japanese production of the Broadway musical “Blues in the Night,” along with singer Mori Kumiko, former Takarazuka star Kozuki Wataru, and AKB48 members Sato Amina and Katayama Haruka.
“Blues in the Night” takes place in a rundown Chicago hotel in the late 1930s, telling the story of a blues-singing playboy (known as “Man”) and his relationships with three different women – a black former blues singer known as “Lady” (Mori), a beautifully stylish “Woman” of unknown age (Kozuki), and an energetic young “Girl” (Sato and Katayama, double-cast).
The musical was first performed off-Broadway in 1980 and got its first Broadway run in 1982, leading to a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Musical.
Kikkawa Toru is in charge of this new production, which will begin its run at the Tennozu Galaxy Theater on September 30, 2011.
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 17-6-2011 04:06 PM Fujiwara Tatsuya leads “Okaeri, Hayabusa” cast
Posted on June 15, 2011 by tokyograph
The lead has finally been revealed for “Okaeri, Hayabusa,” the 3D movie that Shochiku announced earlier this year about the space probe Hayabusa. Fujiwara Tatsuya (29) will headline the cast as an inexperienced JAXA engineer named Ohashi Kento, supported by a cast that includes Anne (25) and Miura Tomokazu (59).
Miura will play Kento’s father Isao, the project leader for an earlier failed space probe mission known as Nozomi. Anne plays Nomura Naoko, a budding scientist who is strongly persuaded by Isao’s speeches into studying space. The story will revolve around these three characters and their connections over the 7-year Hayabusa mission.
“Okaeri, Hayabusa” is scheduled for theatrical release in March 2012.
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 17-6-2011 04:11 PM “Hana Kimi” drama remake’s male cast revealed
Posted on June 15, 2011 by tokyograph
The primary male cast for the new “Hanazakari no Kimitachi e ~ Ikemen Paradise” drama series was made public on Thursday. Lead actress and AKB48 member Maeda Atsuko (19) will have Nakamura Aoi (20) and Miura Shohei (23) as the two other sides of the story’s love triangle, and at least 26 other young male actors will round out the cast.
This drama remake was announced by Fuji TV last month, with Maeda replacing Maki Horikita (22) from the original 2007 series. Nakamura and Miura are likewise taking over the roles that were played by Oguri Shun (28) and Ikuta Toma (26).
Newspapers have also reported Yamada Shintaro (24) and Sato Yuki (27) as cast members. Based on a poster image from the Sankei Sports newspaper, the rest of the cast seems to include:
(*Note: Most of these were visually identified and are still pending confirmation.)
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 17-6-2011 04:14 PM Voice actress unit LISP announces hiatus
Posted on June 16, 2011 by tokyograph
The three-member voice actress group LISP announced through their official website just after midnight on Thursday that they are putting their group activities on hiatus. Their last performance before that will be at Shibuya AX in Tokyo on July 31, about one year after their formation.
LISP consists of Asumi Kana, Kataoka Azusa, and Hara Sayuri. They joined together last summer and released a digital single in October. In April of this year, they released their first CD single, followed by their first album two weeks later. Their second CD single was just released on June 15.
According to the message on their website, the decision to suspend their activities as LISP resulted from discussions between the members and their staff. Each of three voice actresses will “aim for their next step,” and it was determined that it was necessary for them to prepare for new challenges. The details of those challenges are not yet known.
The group’s Twitter account will also become inactive this August.
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 23-6-2011 11:55 AM Ryoko Yonekura hits the red carpet as 'Gone With the Wind' comes to Tokyo
Entertainment Jun. 18, 2011 - 05:30AM JST ( 5 )
TOKYO —
Actress Ryoko Yonekura, 35, attended a red carpet event to launch the stage drama “Gone With the Wind” at Tokyo’s Imperial Garden Theater this week.
Yonekura plays the indomitable plantation owner’s daughter Scarlett O’Hara. Opposite her, Yasufumi Terawaki, 49, is the dashing Rhett Butler. The original 1939 movie, by Margaret Mitchell, was directed by Victor Fleming and starred Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable. It has become an American classic.
Yonekura appeared with four of the other main cast members on the red carpet to celebrate the arrival of the play in Tokyo after its run in Osaka. “We’re finally here!” she said.
When asked if she was as passionate in real life as Scarlett, Yonekura replied, “Not at all. Performing this play takes a lot out of you, so when I go home after the show, I don’t want to meet anyone.”
Terawaki told the press, “This play really makes you feel the power of a human’s desire and will to live. Since we’re trying to boost Japan’s spirits following the tsunami, I’d really like as many people as possible to come and see this show.”
“Gone With the Wind” runs from Saturday until July 10 at the Imperial Garden Theater in Tokyo’s Chiyoda Ward. Also starring in the play are Jun Shibuki, 42, as Melanie Wilkes and Koki Okada, 45 as Ashley Wilkes.
Source: www.japantoday.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 23-6-2011 11:56 AM Rock band Sekai no Owari goes major
Posted on June 17, 2011 by tokyograph
Rock band Sekai no Owari will make their major label debut this summer. They have signed with the record label TOY'S FACTORY, and their first major single “INORI” will go on sale on August 17.
Along with the move, the band is changing the way they write their name, from “??????” to “SEKAI NO OWARI.”
The band formed several years ago, but they didn’t release their first indies single until February 2010. They have been gaining in popularity, and even before this announcement they revealed that they have scheduled their first Nippon Budokan concert for November of this year.
The new single “INORI” contains three songs: “Kachou Fuugetsu,” “Fushichou,” and “Never Ending World.”
Sekai no Owari also announced that all of their music videos released so far are now available through the iTunes Store.
Source: www.tokyograph.comAuthor: whitedove Time: 23-6-2011 12:00 PM Studio Ghibli displays anti-nuclear power banner
Entertainment Jun. 19, 2011 - 02:09AM JST ( 5 )
TOKYO —
Studio Ghibli Inc has displayed an anti-nuclear power banner at its Tokyo head office at the initiative of noted animator Hayao Miyazaki.
The banner, placed on the roof of the building in Koganei, western Tokyo, since Thursday, reads, “Studio Ghibli wants to create movies using electricity without nuclear power plants.”
ife” and “Room of King.”
