Japanese Entertainment News & Info HERE! [part II]

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Hirosue leads "Zero Focus" cast
Mon, February 9, 2009 (12:27am EST)



In December, Toho revealed that director Isshin Inudo would be in charge of a new film adaptation of the popular Seicho Matsumoto novel "Zero no Shoten," also known by the English title "Zero Focus." The movie's main cast has now been revealed, with actress Ryoko Hirosue taking the starring role.



The story, set in the 1950s, centers around a newlywed woman (Hirosue) whose husband Kenichi (Hidetoshi Nishijima) fails to return from a business trip. She sets out to search for him, but uncovers that he has been living a double life.



Hirosue's strong supporting cast includes Miki Nakatani as the wife of a company president, Tae Kimura as that company's receptionist, Tetta Sugimoto as Kenichi's brother, and Takeshi Kaga as Kenichi's boss.

Filming has already started in Kanazawa and is expected to continue until April. Toho is aiming for an autumn release.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Nozomi Kawasaki leaving AKB48 to launch clothing brand
Mon, February 9, 2009 (10:48am EST)



Team A member Nozomi Kawasaki has announced that she is leaving AKB48 on February 27. It was revealed on the group's official blog that Kawasaki is launching her own apparel brand as early as next month.

In an entry on her own blog, Kawasaki said that the brand's name is "Anti minss," with a concept of "Rock spiritual sexy." The post included images of some sample items and the current logo. She also mentioned that she is aiming to make the clothing unisex. A launch event is scheduled for March 1.

Kawasaki will reportedly continue her idol career as well, remaining under the management of Sky Corporation.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Hollywood star Will Smith (40) was munching down on some serious Valentine's chocolate in Tokyo yesterday. In town for the Japan premiere of "Seven Pounds," he and co-star Rosario Dawson (29) and director Gabriele Muccino (41) were joined on stage by Japan's "god sister" of soul Wada Akiko (58). She presented Smith with a giant 40kg bar of chocolate, which he proceeded to try and take a big bite out of. The veteran singer said, "I'm a big fan and I got so excited about meeting him I couldn't sleep last night!" The movie opens in theaters here on February 21.

Source: www.japan-zone.com

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A manager for top talento Tokoro Joji (54) was fired last year for embezzling from his boss, it was revealed in today's issue of weekly magazine "Josei Jishin." Tokoro's agency acknowledged the story, saying the man was fired last July after about ten years in charge of Tokoro's TV commercial contracts. He is believed to have embezzled about

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Moe Oshikiri releases book detailing earlier hardships and how to find happiness

Tuesday 10th February, 04:28 AM JST



TOKYO

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Takuro Yoshida joins Avex Trax, announces final tour
Tue, February 10, 2009 (1:33am EST)



Singer Takuro Yoshida (62) suddenly announced on Monday that he has switched record labels to Avex Trax. On April 15, he will put out his first new album since six years ago, to be followed by his final nationwide tour.

Yoshida's last original album was "Tsukiyo no Canoe" in 2003. His upcoming album, whose title is still unknown, will include 10 new tracks, written and composed by Yoshida himself.

On June 21, Yoshida will launch what is said to be his last nationwide tour. He is scheduled to play 9 shows in 9 venues, starting in Nagoya and ending in Tsumagoi on July 25. In 2007, his health forced him to cut short a 26-concert tour after completing only 7 of the shows.

Yoshida has already recorded a performance of some new songs for a TV show that is scheduled to air on NHK BS2 on March 22.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Signs of a possible rift between acting couple Miyazaki Aoi (23) and Takaoka Sosuke (27). According to tomorrow's edition of weekly magazine "Josei Seven," Takaoka was recently spotted spending several hours at the Tokyo apartment of young pin-up idol Kinbara Asuka (19). The pair were seen holding hands as the entered the building, after she had attended a birthday party for the actor last Friday and he accompanied her home by taxi. He was seen leaving the building about three hours later, though Kinbara's management agency insisted he only saw her as far as the front door. Miyazaki is reported not to have attended her husband's party. But she said at a PR event for her latest movie yesterday that she knows all about the story and insisted that everything is fine. The couple have been married about a year and a half.

Source: www.japan-zone.com

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Akina Minami to appear in new 'Kamen Rider' film

Wednesday 11th February, 05:11 AM JST



TOKYO

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Marie to co-host live broadcast of 81st Academy Awards

Wednesday 11th February, 05:00 AM JST



揟alent

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Charts: Kiyoshi Hikawa achieves second #1
Wed, February 11, 2009 (1:40am EST)



Popular enka singer Kiyoshi Hikawa topped the singles chart this week with "Roukyoku Ichidai," selling more than 73,000 copies. This is his second #1 hit, after "Hatsukoi Ressha" in 2005. For a solo enka artist, he is now tied for the record.

The SHIGOTONIN came in at #2, followed by the reunited band Unicorn. New releases from Chatmonchy, My Little Lover, Koharu Kusumi, and Kariyushi58 occupied the last four spots on the top ten.



On the albums chart, Kumi Koda hung onto her #1 spot, moving 56,000 more copies of "TRICK." CHAGE and ASKA's best album managed to take #2 with 32,000 in sales, while R&B group COLOR ranked in at #4. The other new albums in the top ten were from Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra (#7), Yukari Tamura (#8), and GO!GO!7188 (#10).

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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RADWIMPS drummer ties the knot
Wed, February 11, 2009 (3:22am EST)



RADWIMPS drummer Satoshi Yamaguchi announced his marriage last Sunday by simply stating on his blog, "I got married! Sorry for this all of a sudden (laughs). And to all 7 of my fans across the country, please don't be sad..."

Satoshi's partner is actually a childhood friend of RADWIMPS bassist Yusuke Takeda. They have been dating each other since the release of the band's indies single "Kiseki" in 2004. They held their wedding ceremony on February 1.

He thanked his acquaintances and fans, saying, "I'm just as surprised myself that I'm getting married." He also remarked that he wants to have children as soon as possible.

RADWIMPS' 4th album, "RADWIMPS 4 ~Okazu no Gohan~," has sold more than 300,000 copies, and their 5th album, "Arutokoroni no Teiri," will be released on March 11. They are also starting a nationwide tour on April 6 with a performance at Zepp Sapporo.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Odagiri, Nagasawa co-star as siblings in "Boku no Imouto"
Wed, February 11, 2009 (2:47am EST)



Joe Odagiri and Masami Nagasawa have been cast in co-starring roles on a TBS drama series next season. Tentatively titled "Boku no Imouto," the drama is based on an original script by writer Shunsaku Ikehata.

Odagiri plays an elite surgeon, while Nagasawa plays his younger sister. Unlike her brother, Nagasawa's character is poor in academics to the point of being called "miraculously stupid," but her strengths lie in her good nature and power of living. However, she also has a bad eye for men, and in the first episode she is discovered to be having an affair with a married man, leading to a big fight between the two siblings. But because they lost their parents when they were young, they grew up with a strong bond despite their constant conflicts.

"Boku no Imouto" will air on Sundays at 9:00pm, starting in April.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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MatsuJun, Gakky pair up for "Smile"
Thu, February 12, 2009 (1:53am EST)



Jun Matsumoto and Yui Aragaki will co-star in a new TBS drama series titled "Smile." Takayuki Takuma ("Hana Yori Dango") is handling the script, though he is using his real name rather than his usual pen name of Mikio Satake.

Matsumoto plays a half-Filipino whose father has died and mother has disappeared. Despite his misfortune and the issues he deals with, such as race, he lives his life positively with a constant smile.

Similarly, Aragaki plays a young woman living cheerfully despite losing her ability to speak due to an accident. Her character is said to be modeled after a real actress in the theatrical troupe that Takuma runs.



The supporting cast includes Kiichi Nakai as a lawyer who watches over Matsumoto and Aragaki.

"Smile" will air on Friday nights at 10:00pm, starting in April.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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The Eighth ending theme from 揘ARUTO SHIPPUDEN

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"Kyoto Chiken no Onna" gets a 5th season
Thu, February 12, 2009 (3:59am EST)



The TV Asahi drama "Kyoto Chiken no Onna" is coming back for a 5th season this spring. The mystery series, which stars Yuko Natori as a public prosecutor, has previously aired in 2003, 2005, 2006, and 2007. Over those four seasons, the show averaged 16.7% ratings in the Kansai area, where the show is set.

The returning cast includes Toru Masuoka and Ikkei Watanabe, while Susumu Terajima has been added.

The new series begins in April, airing every Thursday at 8:00pm.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Yoshiki produces racing team
Thu, February 12, 2009 (4:23am EST)



X Japan's Yoshiki has announced that he is serving as the main sponsor and producer of the Dome Racing Team, which participates in the Super GT. His involvement with the team is in conjunction with the ROCK STAR energy drink that he produces. His team, which includes drivers Ryo Michigami and Takashi Kogure, will begin competing on March 21.

Meanwhile, X Japan has also scheduled two shows at Tokyo Dome on May 2-3. There are also plans for concerts in Osaka, but because negotiations with Kyocera Dome have fallen apart, the band is seeking out other potential venues, including Koshien Stadium.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Voice actresses cover punk rock
Tue, February 10, 2009 (3:19am EST)

On February 25, an album titled "Pankore ~voice actresses' legendary punk songs collection~" will go on sale. The unique collection features several popular voice actresses covering well-known songs by American punk bands.

The 12-song tracklist includes Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (sung by Yuko Goto), Blondie's "Call Me" (Halko Momoi), The Ramones' "Blitzkrieg Bop" (Kaori Shimizu), and The Sex Pistols' "Anarchy in the UK" (Rie Tanaka).

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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First comedy roles for Yuko Takeuchi and Eita in "Nakumonka"
Tue, February 10, 2009 (3:45am EST)



Some details have been revealed about "Nakumonka," the upcoming movie by director Nobuo Mizuta and screenwriter Kankuro Kudo. The comedy, first announced in December, reunites Mizuta and Kudo with lead actor Sadao Abe, whom they last worked with in "Maiko Haaaan!!!"



The story revolves around a young man running a restaurant in a Tokyo shopping district (Abe), living earnestly despite being abandoned by his father as a child. He is unknown to his younger brother, who is finding success as a comedian (Eita). Meanwhile, Yuko Takeuchi plays Abe's marriage prospect, the restaurant's original owner's daughter who has mysteriously grown from an ugly child into a beautiful woman. This is said to be the first true comedy roles for Eita and Takeuchi.

Shooting began at the start of this month and will wrap up in mid-April. Toho has scheduled the film for a November release.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Goro's Bar becomes a drama
Tue, February 10, 2009 (12:40am EST)



The late-night TBS variety show "Goro's Bar," hosted by SMAP's Goro Inagaki, is being turned into a drama special for the first time. The drama will use the same premise as the show, with Goro playing the owner of a bar.



The show's regular characters, such as comedy groups Kuwabata Ohara and Harisenbon, will be joined by additional cast members, including Ryoko Kuninaka and Tsuyoshi Abe. Fellow SMAP member Takuya Kimura will also make a guest appearance.



The drama will air on March 10.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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"Zettai Kareshi" returns
Thu, February 12, 2009 (1:12am EST)



Fuji TV's live-action "Zettai Kareshi" series is coming back for a special episode. Based on the manga by Yuu Watase, the series originally aired from April to June 2008.



The special, titled "Zettai Kareshi ~Kanzen Muketsu no Koibito Robot~," is set after the end of the series. Mocomichi Hayami will reprise his role as the robot Night (Naito) Tenjo, along with co-stars Saki Aibu and Hiro Mizushima. The cast will have a couple of additions, with Ryoko Kuninaka playing a brilliant scientist and Asahi Uchida playing her assistant.



Fuji TV will broadcast the episode this spring.