Japanese Entertainment News & Info HERE! [part II]

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DOUBLE, Namie Amuro collaborate
Thu, May 1, 2008 (1:10am EDT)



Popular R&B artists DOUBLE and Namie Amuro have completed their first collaboration, a song titled "BLACK DIAMOND." Described as a dance number, the music video features choreography by JONTE and RAMON, who are known for their work with Beyonce.

"BLACK DIAMOND" is being included on DOUBLE's "THE BEST COLLABORATIONS" album, on sale May 28. The album is her second project celebrating the 10th anniversary of her debut. It features 18 collaborations, with artists such as ZEEBRA, KREVA, and m-flo.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Kou Shibasaki to launch first tour this summer
Thu, May 1, 2008 (1:19am EDT)



This summer, actress/singer Kou Shibasaki will embark on her first concert tour. Although she made her singing debut in 2002, it was only last August that she held her first live performances. Now, she will be doing 7 live house shows in 6 cities, gathering an expected total audience of 15,000 fans.

The tour will run from July 26 to August 10, starting in Fukuoka.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Singer SHIGI to make debut with "Chameleon" theme
Thu, May 1, 2008 (1:30am EDT)

SHIGI, a 21-year-old singer-songwriter in college, will be making her major label debut on July 2. Her first single, "Shomei," is being used as the theme song for the Junji Sakamoto action film "Chameleon" (in theaters July 5). The movie stars Tatsuya Fujiwara and Asami Mizukawa.



SHIGI is currently a third-year student at a private college in Tokyo. While she was in the 6th grade, she started doing live street performances with her guitar. Since then, she has played over 200 shows, including some at venues such as Zepp Tokyo. She finally gained enough attention to make her debut after winning a radio show competition.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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"Blindness" goes to Cannes
Thu, May 1, 2008 (1:44am EDT)



"Blindness," a movie by Brazilian director Fernando Meirelles, has been announced as the opening film of this year's Cannes Film Festival (taking place May 14-25), and it has also been entered into the festival's competition section. The movie stars Julianne Moore and Mark Ruffalo, but also has a supporting cast that includes Yoshino Kimura and Yusuke Iseya. This makes it the first Cannes opening film with Japanese involvement since Akira Kurosawa's "Dreams" ("Yume") in 1990.

Kimura and Iseya have been rumored as a couple ever since they worked together on Takashi Miike's "Sukiyaki Western Django," but the two have still never commented on the rumors.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix: Yu Kashii named Best Supporting Actress
Thu, May 1, 2008 (2:34am EDT)



The Best Supporting Actress award in the 11th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix has been won by Yu Kashii, who played the role of Noriko Hakushika in the popular drama series "Yukan Club." She is the second cast member from that drama to win in this set of awards, as Jin Akanishi was announced as Best Actor on Monday.

The 21-year-old Kashii made major headlines after the series ended last December when she and actor Joe Odagiri announced their engagement. They married on February 16, which happens to be the birthday for the both of them.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Oricon: Golden Week dates
Thu, May 1, 2008 (10:59am EDT)



In another popularity survey, Oricon asked a thousand men and women which celebrity they would want to go on a date with during the Golden Week holiday period. Most of the answers were familiar names for such surveys, but the women's top choice was the unexpected Yusuke Kamiji, who has recently become widely recognized thanks to "Quiz! Hexagon II" and his involvement with the show-related trio Shuchishin.

Kamiji beat out Masaharu Fukuyama, Tsuyoshi Domoto, and Hiroshi Tamaki (all tied for #2), as well as Koichi Domoto and Shun Oguri (tied for #5).



The men's favorite was actress Masami Nagasawa, leading a list that included Aya Ueto, Yui Aragaki, singer YUI, and Ai Otsuka and Saki Aibu (tied for #5).

Golden Week dates (among female):

1) Yusuke Kamiji (Shuchishin)
2) Masaharu Fukuyama
2) Tsuyoshi Dohmoto (KinKi Kids)
2) Hiroshi Tamaki
5) Koichi Dohmoto (KinKi Kids)
5) Shun Oguri

Golden Week dates (among male):

1) Masami Nagasawa
2) Aya Ueto
3) Yui Aragaki
4) YUI
5) Ai Otsuka
5) Saki Aibu

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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VAMPS' first single set for July
Thu, May 1, 2008 (11:06am EDT)



VAMPS, the new project formed by L'Arc~en~Ciel's hyde and Oblivion Dust's KAZ, has officially announced its first release.

The single is titled "LOVE ADDICT," and it will come with a tune called "TIME GOES BY." The first press edition includes a DVD with a video clip of "LOVE ADDICT." Release has been scheduled for July 2.

It was previously announced that the group will be doing a 46-date ZEPP tour starting in August.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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ELLEGARDEN going on indefinite hiatus
Fri, May 2, 2008 (12:17am EDT)



Rock band ELLEGARDEN has announced that they are suspending activities indefinitely. They began working on a new album last year, but the members have come to disagree about the motivation behind it. Finding it difficult to proceed, the band has decided to shelve the album and put their other activities on hold.

The group will still go ahead with their announced concerts (and some unannounced events) up through early September.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Oguri taking a short break
Fri, May 2, 2008 (12:36am EDT)



Popular young actor Shun Oguri will be taking some time off soon, though it will be shorter than expected. For the past year or two, he has been one of the busiest actors in the industry. Just last year, he appeared in four movies (including "Kisaragi" and "Crows ZERO"), two stage plays (including Yukio Ninagawa's "Caligula"), and two drama series ("Hana Yori Dango 2" and "Hanazakari no Kimitachi e"), in addition to his work in commercials, radios, and other media.

Last December, Oguri stated that he was considering taking a long break due to his tiring schedule. Many of his fans have been calling for him to get some much needed rest, and some remained worried when Oguri's agency Tristone announced that he will only be taking off for about 2-3 weeks. Even that won't be a complete break, as Oguri will still be doing bits of work, such as his radio show.

Oguri will reportedly return to his current rate of work in June.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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aiko, Arashi singing for HYD movie
Fri, May 2, 2008 (1:17am EDT)

Two songs for the upcoming "Hana Yori Dango Final" movie (out June 28) have been announced.



aiko will be providing an insert song, currently referred to as "Tsukushi's Theme Song." The song, which will apparently be chosen from her unpublished material, has not been given an official title yet.



Arashi is doing the movie's theme song, titled "One Love."

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Arashi chosen to host "24 Hour Television"
Fri, May 2, 2008 (1:23am EDT)



Arashi has been chosen as the main personalities for NTV's annual charity program "24 Hour Television," scheduled for August 30-31 this year. This will be the group's second time hosting the show - they last did it in 2004, also an Olympic year.

The program's overall hosts will be announcers Kazuo Tokumitsu and Yukari Nishio.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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SID ready for major label debut
Fri, May 2, 2008 (1:31am EDT)



Rock band SID announced on Thursday that they will finally have their first major label release.

The group has managed to gain a fairly large following despite their attachment to an independent label. They will start their final tour as an indies band on June 2, then they will make their major label debut in the fall. As part of the move, they will hold a concert at the Nippon Budokan on November 2.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix: Yukan Club takes top honors
Fri, May 2, 2008 (1:39am EDT)



The final prize in the Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix has been announced. Fan favorite "Yukan Club" picked up the votes needed to win the title of the Best Drama of last year, topping off the wins by Jin Akanishi as Best Actor and Yu Kashii as Best Supporting Actress.

Decided by popular vote, this Drama Grand Prix had 3 of its 5 awards claimed by "Yukan Club," while the other two were taken by "Hanazakari no Kimitachi e."

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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NHK program features Disney/Ghibli covers
Fri, May 2, 2008 (1:51am EDT)

Monday is Children's Day (Kodomo no Hi) in Japan, the final holiday of Golden Week. To celebrate the occasion, NHK is airing a special program titled "Hirake! Mahou no Tobira ~Isshoni Utaou Yume no Uta~," which will feature several pop artists singing covers of songs found in Disney's and Studio Ghibli's films.

Participants include Thelma Aoyama, Masafumi Akikawa, AAA, Aya Matsuura, Morning Musume, and Becky. The show will air at 7:30pm on May 5.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Akiko Wada to hold first overseas concert at The Apollo
Thu, May 1, 2008 (2:24am EDT)



Prominent singer and TV personality Akiko Wada will be visiting Harlem, New York, later this year to hold her first concert outside of Japan. She will perform at the famous Apollo Theater on September 29, less than a month before the 40th anniversary of her debut single. She is said to be the first Japanese artist to get a solo show at that venue.

Four years ago, Wada went to New York for a special television program. She visited The Apollo while she was there, and she was deeply moved by the theater's many pictures of famous artists, particularly her idol Ray Charles. At the time, she began hoping to someday perform there.

Negotiations for a concert were apparently finalized this year, and the process reportedly went smoothly as the theater's staff was familiar with Wada's fame as a singer in Japan. Wada is said to be in training for the big event, cutting back on alcohol, doing lots of walking, and going to a gym 2-3 times a week.

One of the concert's highlights will be the guest appearance of the ARC Choir, a group formed by the Addicts Rehabilitation Center that Wada previously worked with for the television show four years ago. Other special features are being planned for the concert, though Wada expressed disappointment that she would not be able to perform again with the late Ray Charles. (He made a guest appearance at the Tokyo International Forum for Wada's 30th anniversary concert in 1998.)

Wada will also be on tour in Japan from June 20 until September 18.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Screenwriter Kitagawa directing first film
Fri, May 2, 2008 (1:05am EDT)



Celebrated screenwriter Eriko Kitagawa is making the leap to filmmaking. She is best known for hit romance dramas such as "Ai#eru to Itte Kure," "Long Vacation," and "Beautiful Life." Now, she has directed one of her own scripts, with the help of director Shunji Iwai ("Hana and Alice") and music producer Takeshi Kobayashi.

Iwai reportedly initiated the project, strongly persuading Kitagawa to take the helm. Iwai is serving as producer along with Kobayashi. This is the first film produced by Kobayashi, who is better recognized as a former member of MY LITTLE LOVER and a producer for popular artists such as Mr.Children.



The youth romance story revolves around two high schoolers, Hiro and Shuu. They are played by Kie Kitano and Masaki Okada, respectively. The supporting cast includes Hiroki Narimiya, Miho Shiraishi, and Takao Osawa.



The film's title in Japanese is "Harufuwei". When asked about the meaning of the name, Kitagawa simply said, "Just wait until you watch it." The movie was shot over the span of half a month starting in late October of last year. It is expected to be released in spring 2009.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Singer Akko (35) was joined on stage by her ex-husband at an anniversary concert yesterday. She and Kobayashi Takeshi (48), along with guitarist Fujii Kenji (39), debuted as My Little Lover on May 1, 1995 and went on to release 21 singles and 11 albums with combined sales of almost 12 million. The pair were married for twelve years and have two children but divorced on New Year's Day. "MaiRaba", as the band became popularly known, has been Akko's solo project for some time, though she remains with the management agency run by Kobayashi and they are clearly still on friendly terms. Yesterday's concert was the first time for them to share a stage in almost 4 years. Since before their divorce, Kobayashi has been romantically linked with singer Hitoto You (31).

Source: www.japan-zone.com

[ Last edited by  whitedove at 6-5-2008 03:31 PM ]

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Popular singer Anri (46) announced this week on her blog that she and American guitarist Lee Ritenour (56) have broken off their engagement. She says, 揑 still intend to continue my music activities at my own pace.

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[J-ENT] Leah Dizon unveils new Softbank phones



JapanToday.com reported, 揝oftbank Mobile this week enlisted American singer Leah Dizon, 21, to introduce its new handsets which feature replaceable covers with Japanese traditional texture patterns. At an event at Omotesando to unveil the handsets, Dizon said, 揟he covers are stylish and gorgeous. We don抰 have these patterns in the U.S. They抮e very rare.

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Love Psychedelico to perform acoustic set in Los Angeles
Sat, May 3, 2008 (4:41am EDT)



Love Psychedelico's first U.S. release, "This Is Love Psychedelico," has been briefly delayed. The album was originally scheduled to be available digitally on April 29 and in stores on May 6, but those dates have been changed to May 13 and May 20, respectively.

To celebrate the album's release, Love Psychedelico will perform a special unplugged set at Bordello in Los Angeles on May 14. Those interested in attending must RSVP - details can be found at the group's website.

The group is also scheduled to perform at the Apple store in San Francisco on May 17.

Source: www.tokyograph.com