Japanese Entertainment News & Info HERE! [part II]

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"Love Exposure" earns two prizes in Berlin
Tue, February 17, 2009 (12:04am EST)



The Berlin International Film Festival wrapped up over the weekend. This year, the only Japanese film to receive an award was Sion Sono's "Ai no Mukidashi" ("Love Exposure"), which stars AAA member Takahiro Nishijima.

"Ai no Mukidashi" earned two independent jury prizes - the Caligari Film Prize, and the Prize of the FIPRESCI Jury in the Forum section of the festival.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Uchan to become a father
Tue, February 17, 2009 (12:57am EST)



Comedian Teruyoshi Uchimura (44), also known as Uchan of Uchan Nanchan, will soon be a father. His management agency's website announced on Monday that his wife, former TV Asahi announcer Yumi Tokunaga (33), is six months pregnant with the couple's first child. She is expected to give birth in June.

Uchimura and Tokunaga made headlines back in 2003 when their relationship was first discovered. Tokunaga was married at the time, causing a scandal that led to her removal from TV. After getting a divorce, she and Uchimura married in May 2005, a month after Tokunaga formally resigned from TV Asahi.

According to the latest issue of FLASH, the couple recently moved into a new 400-million-yen home in Tokyo.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Meisa Kuroki's first album dated for April
Tue, February 17, 2009 (1:24am EST)



Actress Meisa Kuroki will have her debut album as a singer released on April 8. Titled "hellcat," it is her first CD release, though she already made her singing debut last June with the digital single "Like This."

The album is produced by Jeff Miyahara, who has worked with award-winning artists such as Boyz II Men in the past. All 8 songs are said to be dance tunes, as Kuroki has been a fan of Janet Jackson since she was a child. Kuroki herself had a hand in composing three of the songs: "Criminal," "SEX," and "lost."

The first press edition of the album will come with a DVD with three music videos, including a sexy video for "Bad Girl," which is being used as an insert song in the upcoming movie "Crows ZERO II" (in theaters April 11). "Bad Girl" is already being made available as a ringtone starting on the 17th.

In addition, there is an unrecorded song that is being planned for release as a single. Kuroki has also expressed her desire to do a live concert.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Japanese record labels looking towards live performances due to piracy抯 affect on CD sales

February 16, 2009 by J!-ENT

From Mainichi Daily News:

Forming a gloomy backdrop to this trend is the state of the record industry. According to the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ), sales of music on CD and over the Internet in the U.S. stood at around 540 billion yen in 2007, approximately half of what figures were five years before. The British record industry did not fare much better. Sales of music in the U.K. totted up to some 171 billion yen in 2007, about two-thirds of the 2002 total.

The dismal figures have spurred a change of strategy in the music business, shifting away from dependency on CD sales to a focus on live performances.

揟he epitome of that move is the pop star Madonna,

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Ryoko Yonekura takes a bullet in 'The Negotiator'

Wednesday 18th February, 05:08 AM JST



TOKYO

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Yumiko Shaku to get serious about hubby hunting as blood-type drama airs on Fuji TV

Wednesday 18th February, 04:16 AM JST



TOKYO

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Kenichi Endo cast as "Yukemuri Sniper"
Wed, February 18, 2009 (12:07am EST)

TV Tokyo's drama adaptation of the "Yukemuri Sniper" manga series now has an official lead actor. The show was first revealed last month, but its cast was not known at the time.



Kenichi Endo, known mostly for supporting roles, will star as a retired assassin trying to live in peace as he works at a remote hot-spring ryokan. Miyuki Matsuda, the wife of late actor Yusaku Matsuda and mother of actors Ryuhei and Shota, has also been cast in the series.

"Yukemuri Sniper" premieres on April 3.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Kota Nakayama finally wins R-1
Wed, February 18, 2009 (1:59am EST)

The finals of the 2009 R-1 Grand Prix were held in Tokyo on Tuesday. The competition, which pits solo comedians against each other, has been running since 2002. This year saw a record field of approximately 3,400 entries, and it was also the first time that the finals were broadcast live during golden time on Fuji TV.

In the end, the winner was 28-year-old Kota Nakayama. This was his 5th year to compete and his 4th to make the final round. Nakayama managed to pick up a total of 683 points, narrowly defeating the predicted winner Masahiro Ehara, who had 675 points.

Nakayama earned 5 million yen for his victory.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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mihimaru GT's hiroko teams up with All-American Rejects
Wed, February 18, 2009 (2:19am EST)



mihimaru GT vocalist hiroko has completed a collaboration with U.S. rock band The All-American Rejects. On March 4, The All-American Rejects' latest album, "When the World Comes Down," is being released in Japan. The Japanese release will include a new version of "Another Heart Calls," featuring vocals from hiroko.

The new version of "Another Heart Calls" will be available as a ringtone starting on Wednesday. It has also been reported that The All-American Rejects are performing in Shibuya with hiroko on the album's release date, but mihimaru GT's official website says that the information is incorrect and that there are no plans for a joint concert.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Horikoshi's graduating class of 2009
Wed, February 18, 2009 (2:45am EST)



The well-known Horikoshi High School held its graduation ceremony on Tuesday in the Nakano Sun Plaza. This year's ceremony was attended by Hey! Say! JUMP member Hikaru Yaotome, as well as actresses Saki Fukuda and Misako Renbutsu.

Yaotome and Fukuda have reportedly decided not to go on to university, instead choosing to focus on their entertainment careers. Renbutsu is said to be entering a famous private university in Tokyo this April.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Masaaki Uchino stars in "Rinjo"
Wed, February 18, 2009 (12:08am EST)



"Rinjo," a novel by "Climber's High" author Hideo Yokoyama, is being adapted into a live-action series on TV Asahi. Masaaki Uchino has been cast in the lead role.

First published in 2004, "Rinjo" revolves around Yoshio Kuraishi, a legendary coroner with a keen eye for evidence, played by Uchino. The term "rinjo" is said to be police slang for the initial investigation carried out at the scene of the crime.



Uchino's supporting cast includes Yuki Matsu$hita, Masanobu Takashima, and Dai Watanabe.

"Rinjo" starts in April and will run in TV Asahi's Wednesday 9:00pm time slot, known for long-running mystery series such as "Aibou" and "Hagure Keiji Junjoha." Last summer, Uchino starred in "Gonzo: Densetsu no Keiji" in the same time slot.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Charts: KAT-TUN goes nine straight
Wed, February 18, 2009 (1:08am EST)



KAT-TUN's 9th single, "ONE DROP," led the charts this week with 281,000 in sales. This gave them their ninth consecutive #1, extending back to their debut single. This is currently the third longest such streak, behind NEWS (10) and KinKi Kids (28).

At #2 was girl band Stereopony, with 31,000 copies of their second single, "Namida no Mukou," which is being used as the theme song of "Mobile Suit Gundam 00." This is their first time in the top ten. Also in the top ten this week were The Gospellers at #5 and Salyu at #10.



Meanwhile, Thelma Aoyama came out on top of the album charts, selling 45,000 copies of "LOVE! ~THELMA LOVESONG COLLECTION~." Although she has had a #1 single before, this is her first #1 album.

Lil'B was not far behind at #2 with their first album, "Ima, Kimi e." AAA, Straightener, and Buono! also made the top ten with their latest albums.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Former pin-up idol Kohinata Minako (23) has been released on bail. Arrested on January 22 for possession of stimulant drugs, she was formally charged on February 12. She posted bail of

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Japan Nite US Tour Sampler Free MP3 Download

February 18, 2009 by J!-ENT

Yokohama, Japan - February 19, 2008 - The annual tour that brings
countless Japanese acts to the states known as Japan Nite is invadingAmerica again in 2009! This year抯 Japan Nite will span over one week(March 21 - 29) and will bring 13 amazing bands to give fans in
America an up close and personal concert experience from bands that
rarely venture out of their home city in Japan. While this is always
a great experience, it is often difficult to find out information or
listen to a track for most of these bands as they抳e never been
outside of Japan.

HearJapan.com thought it would be eye opening experience for the fans
of Japan Nite and fans who are going just to see their favorite band
play to be able to hear what some of the Japan Nite acts sound before
going to the show. If you are going to be seeing so many acts for a
once and a life time opportunity, why not get to know them beforehand
to make the live experience that much more enjoyable.

To make this possible, HearJapan.com is offering one track from six
artists available from Japan Nite for free download until March 29.
The six artists include quaff, Dirty Old Men, Asakusa Jinta, THE
EMERALDS, HONEY SAC, and OMODAKA. Each artist made one track
available for a free mp3 download to fans in America. If you can抰
make it to this years tour or live outside of the US, don抰 worry.
You can also download these songs for free and hear some of the most
unique music to come from Japan. The songs are packed in to a sampler
entitled, 揓apan Nite US Tour 2009 Sampler

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'Antoki no Inoki' launches Green Jumbo lottery

Wednesday 18th February, 04:14 PM JST



TOKYO

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NHK says sayonara to 'Eigode Shaberanaito'

Thursday 19th February, 03:00 AM JST



TOKYO

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Angela Aki sings next Asadora theme
Thu, February 19, 2009 (12:38am EST)



Singer-songwriter Angela Aki is handling the theme song for NHK's next morning drama series, "Tsubasa." The tune is titled "Ai no Kisetsu."

NHK has generally turned to well-established artists to provide music for its morning dramas. Past artists include Yumi Matsutoya, Dreams Come True, Kazumasa Oda, and Tatsuro Yama$hita.



"Tsubasa," which stars Mikako Tabe, premieres on March 30 and will run through September.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Meisa Kuroki plays female Oda Nobunaga
Thu, February 19, 2009 (1:53am EST)



Actress Meisa Kuroki has been chosen to star in the play "Onna Nobunaga," based on the book of the same name by Naoki Prize-winning author Kenichi Sato. The story, set during the Sengoku period, is based on the premise that Oda Nobunaga was actually female. Kuroki will of course play the role of Nobunaga.



Kuroki will be supported by singer and musical actor Akinori Nakagawa, playing the role of the samurai Akechi Mitsuhide. Nakagawa is a rising talent in the world of stage musicals, having earned multiple awards since starring in "Mozart!" in 2002.

"Onna Nobunaga" will be performed at Tokyo's Aoyama Theatre on June 5-21, followed by shows in Osaka at Theater BRAVA! on June 26-28.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Happy End's Suzuki arrested for marijuana
Thu, February 19, 2009 (2:33am EST)



Guitarist Shigeru Suzuki (57) was arrested on Tuesday afternoon for possession of marijuana. His car had been stopped in a no-parking zone, leading a police officer to question him. Suzuki reportedly acted suspiciously, and as a result, the officer decided to search his car, finding about a gram of marijuana in a plastic container (earlier reports said he had 27 grams).

Suzuki admitted that he had bought the drug to smoke it, and he was promptly taken into custody.

Suzuki was a member of the early '70s band Happy End. Known as one of the pioneers of Japanese rock, the group also included Haruomi Hosono (who later formed Yellow Magic Orchestra), Takashi Matsumoto, and Eiichi Ohtaki. After Happy End disbanded in 1972, Suzuki was mainly active as a solo musician.

Due to his arrest, Suzuki's record label, Nippon Crown, has halted shipping of his CDs and other distribution of his music. Meanwhile, Pony Canyon has also decided to stop shipping Happy End CDs.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Movie director Danny Boyle (52) was in Tokyo to promote his latest Oscar-nominated film. Helping him promote "Slumdog Millionaire" was talento Mino Monta (64), host of the Japanese version of the global quiz show that is central to the movie. The pair dined on a lunch of katsu curry, with the katsu (pork cutlet) being a pun on the Japanese word for "win." If Slumdog does take the best picture Oscar later this month, it will be the first movie made outside the U.S. to do so since "The Last Emperor" in 1987.

Source: www.japan-zone.com