Japanese Entertainment News & Info HERE! [part II]

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Lindberg's Watase, Hirakawa form new unit, produce idol group
Thu, January 29, 2009 (2:58am EST)



Former Lindberg vocalist Maki Watase has formed a new unit called Smile Go Round. The group consists of her and music producer Tatsuya Hirakawa, who is also Watase's husband and the former guitarist of Lindberg. Smile Go Round will be the first artist to release under a new music label established by media company DLE, best known for its connection with the Flash animation "Himitsu Kessha Taka no Tsume" ("Eagle Talon").

In addition to their own music project, the pair has taken on the task of producing an idol group called Merry Merry Boo. Its members are teen models Ayano Takayashiki, Haruna Kawaguchi, and Haruka Tateishi, who are all affiliated with fashion magazine nicola.

Merry Merry Boo's debut song is a cover of Lindberg's "Ima Sugu Kiss Me." It is scheduled to begin digital distribution on February 25. Before that, on February 22, Watase plans to hold a comeback concert for her own music career.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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NHK World TV, Japan抯 first 24-hour all English new channel to start on Feb. 2nd
January 28, 2009 by Dennis Amith
Japantoday.com reported:

Public broadcaster NHK will make its Japanese/English bilingual international broadcasting service 揘HK World TV擺/b] Japan抯 first 24-hour all-English news channel on Feb 2, NHK and its subsidiary commercial company Japan International Broadcasting (JIB) Inc announced Wednesday.

揥ithout an all-English international broadcasting service, Japan will be always left behind in global trends. We have to be more active in the international arena,

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Becky launches her line of wedding dresses
Tuesday 27th January, 04:38 PM JST



TOKYO

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Chinatsu Wakatsuki goes topless for charity
Wednesday 28th January, 04:00 AM JST



TOKYO

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Beat Takeshi to report on Okinawa issues
Wednesday 28th January, 05:36 AM JST



TOKYO

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Kyoko Kano says she refused marriage proposal from British guy
Wednesday 28th January, 03:30 PM JST



TOKYO

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Mao Daichi to lead again in 'My Fair Lady'
Thursday 29th January, 05:56 AM JST



TOKYO

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Nana Tanimura presents new song and spy dance
Thursday 29th January, 03:00 PM JST



TOKYO

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Mona Yamamoto says she had boyfriend even before recent scandal
Friday 30th January, 04:47 AM JST



TOKYO

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CHAGE and ASKA announce "indefinite hiatus"
Fri, January 30, 2009 (1:21am EST)



Earlier this month, newspapers had reported that pop duo CHAGE and ASKA were planning to disband, but their agency denied it at the time and said that things would soon be clarified. Now, it has been officially announced that the pair are going on an indefinite hiatus.

CHAGE and ASKA last performed together in December 2007. Last year, they began focusing on their solo careers, leading them to consider permanently breaking up, but they ultimately decided to just suspend their activities for the time being.

Their best album, "CHAGE and ASKA VERY BEST NOTHING BUT C&A," goes on sale February 4.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Michibata dating F1 driver?
Fri, January 30, 2009 (1:36am EST)



Popular model Jessica Michibata (24) is rumored to be in a long-distance relationship with British F1 driver Jenson Button (29). This week's issue of FRIDAY revealed that the two had a date in London.

The couple were seen coming out of a Japanese restaurant on the 20th, the day after Button's birthday. They were then seen getting into a car, smiling and holding hands.

Michibata's agency declined to comment on her private life.

Last June, Michibata was reported to be dating musician Shinichi Osawa (also known as Mondo Grosso), but FRIDAY's article quoted a source saying that the two have already broken up.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Kago denies rumors of new romance
Fri, January 30, 2009 (2:55am EST)



The latest issue of FRIDAY included an article reporting that Ai Kago (20) has a new boyfriend. The magazine featured pictures of her with actor Hidejiro Mizumoto (33) at a yakiniku restaurant. She was also seen entering an apartment with him.

Kago and Mizumoto worked together in the upcoming movie "Benten-dori no Hitobito," which opens this summer.

Kago's management has denied the rumor, however, stating the two are not dating. Kago also addressed the issue on her own blog on Friday, apologizing for the trouble caused by the rumor.

She stated that before her comeback, she often sought advice from the psychic Yoshiko Shimo, who is Mizumoto's mother. Kago further explained that Mizumoto attended to her when Shimo was unavailable.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Shonannokaze's SHOCK EYE ties the knot
Fri, January 30, 2009 (10:24am EST)

SHOCK EYE (32), a member of reggae group Shonannokaze, has just gotten married to a younger woman. He updated his blog on the group's official website, revealing that he and his wife had been dating for the past nine years. They formally registered their marriage on Friday.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Komukai's drug tests come up positive
Fri, January 30, 2009 (10:28am EST)



Last week, former gravure idol Minako Komukai was arrested on charges of possession and use of stimulants. She denied the accusations at the time, but police have now revealed that her drug tests came up positive.

Komukai was dismissed by her agency last September due to constant problems with her physical and mental health. She currently has no permanent address.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Oricon: 2009's promising young actresses
Sat, January 31, 2009 (3:28am EST)

To complement its recent survey about young actors, Oricon asked a thousand people which young actresses they have high expectations for in 2009.



At the top of the list was Nao Minamisawa, who recently landed a starring role in the film adaptation of "Akai Ito." Behind her was Mikako Tabe, chosen as the lead of the upcoming morning drama "Tsubasa."

   1. Nao Minamisawa
   2. Mikako Tabe
   3. Shiori Kutsuna
   4. Kie Kitano
   5. Yuriko Yo$hitaka
   6. Kaho
   7. Rio Yama$hita
   8. Umika Kawashima
   9. Saki Fukuda
  10. Mitsuki Tanimura

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Erina Mano's major debut
Sun, February 1, 2009 (1:46am EST)



Hello! Project member Erina Mano will make her major label debut as a soloist next month. Her first single, "Otome no Inori," is set to go on sale March 18.

Last year, Mano released three indie singles: "Mano Piano," "Lucky Aura," and "Lalala-Sososo." Like those songs, her new tune is composed by KAN and arranged by Taisei (Sharam Q), with lyrics written by Yoshiko Miura.

In addition to the single's regular edition, there will be three different first edition versions. Fans who purchase a first edition copy will be able to enter a drawing for a special event being held in five cities at the end of March.

A video clip for the song is being made available digitally on Recochoku between February 4 and February 10.

It has also been decided that Mano will hold her debut concerts in June. She will perform at Nakano Sun Plaza on June 6, followed by a show in Osaka at Matsushita IMP Hall on June 14.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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HALCALI launches podcast
Sun, February 1, 2009 (2:29am EST)



Pop duo HALCALI has started a podcast called "HALCALI Channel," which is being distributed on media website TV&Smile. The site is known for a variety of unique programs, such as "Shikouhin TV" hosted by Yuhi Komiyama (Hoff Dylan) and "Sangokushi TV" hosted by comedian Ichiro Yatsui (elec.comic).

The first installment of "HALCALI Channel" went up on January 31.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Oricon: coolest women
Sun, February 1, 2009 (3:22am EST)



Oricon surveyed 600 women across four age groups, asking them which female celebrities they consider to be "kakkoii" ("cool"). The #1 answer was actress Miki Maya, followed by singer Namie Amuro and actress Yuki Amami.

   1. Miki Maya
   2. Namie Amuro
   3. Yuki Amami
   4. Ryoko Shinohara
   5. Kaori Momoi
   6. Makiko Esumi
   7. Norika Fujiwara
   8. Hitomi Kuroki
   9. Anna Tsuchiya
  10. Ryoko Yonekura

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Judy and Mary get a tribute album
Sat, January 31, 2009 (3:03am EST)



Rock band Judy and Mary will be the subject of a tribute album that is being released on March 18, a little more than eight years after their breakup. 15 artists are participating on the album.

The songs on the album include "Sanpomichi" covered by Tamio Okuda, "Happy?" by Kaela Kimura, and "Over Drive" by mihimaru GT. Some of the other artists involved are Ai Otsuka, Ikimono Gakari, Puffy, and Shoko Nakagawa.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Ninomiya goes "Door to Door"
Sun, February 1, 2009 (3:01am EST)



Arashi's Kazunari Ninomiya is starring in a TBS drama special called "DOOR TO DOOR." This is the third and last in the network's "kandou drama" series, which includes last year's "Marathon" and 2006's "Sukoshi wa, Ongaeshi ga Dekita Kana." Ninomiya also starred in those two specials.

These dramas are based on true stories about young men overcoming illnesses. "DOOR TO DOOR" is inspired by Bill Porter, an American door-to-door salesman who achieved the highest sales for his company despite suffering from cerebral palsy. In the U.S., Porter's story became a successful book, and it was turned into an Emmy-nominated made-for-TV movie on the TNT network in 2002.



TBS's version of "DOOR TO DOOR" is set in Japan, with Ninomiya playing the lead as a man named Hideo Kurasawa. His supporting cast includes Kanako Higuchi as his mother and Rosa Kato as a co-worker. Filming started on Sunday. TBS will air the drama on March 29 at 9:00pm.

Source: www.tokyograph.com