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Japanese Entertainment News & Info HERE! [part IV]
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Kaoru Yumi dating mathematician
Fri, June 11, 2010 (12:07pm EDT)
Actress Kaoru Yumi (59) is reportedly dating well-known mathematician Jin Akiyama (63), according to the latest issue of Josei Seven. Akiyama, who is divorced, has appeared on television shows and in commercials, including one for Tokyo Gas with actor Satoshi Tsumabuki (29).
Yumi and Akiyama are said to have the accordion in common. Akiyama started playing the instrument during his days at university. He later gave it up, but resumed playing about ten years ago, and he currently performs mini-recitals. Yumi, on the other hand, has learned instruments such as piano, and about a year ago she also started playing the accordion.
The two once performed at the same recital, and that encounter led to romance. They have reportedly been seen in public together multiple times, once on a bookshop date and once walking around holding hands.
Yumi's agency acknowledges that they have performed together, but says that it does not know whether they are dating.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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mihimaru GT vocalist hospitalized
Fri, June 11, 2010 (9:32pm EDT)
mihimaru GT vocalist hiroko (25) is currently in the hospital after being diagnosed with a case of pneumothorax, a condition in which there is a collection of air between the lungs and the chest wall.
On Wednesday, mihimaru GT performed a concert in Gunma as part of their current tour. Although she started feeling unwell at the time, she completed the performance. The next day, she participated in a TV show taping, but because of her increasing chest pains she went to the hospital for a medical examination. After the pneumothorax was discovered, hiroko was quickly admitted to the hospital.
mihimaru GT still has eight more concerts scheduled for their tour, which ends on July 10. Two shows have already been postponed: Miyazaki on June 13 and Fukuoka on June 15. Depending on her recovery, it is hoped that she will be able to resume performing at the concert in Nagoya on June 18.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Chiemi Hori divorces again
Sat, June 12, 2010 (11:24pm EDT)
Talento Chiemi Hori (43) held a press conference on Saturday night to announce that she has divorced, ending a ten-year marriage with a magazine editor (43).
Hori married the editor in May 2000. Her husband worked for an outdoors magazine publisher until three years ago, when he went independent. Because of his work, he was frequently in Tokyo while Hori remained at home in Osaka, and their time apart resulted in personal differences. About one and a half years ago, he moved out of the house and began living in his nearby Osaka office.
Unable to work out their differences, Hori said that she called her husband late at night on June 9 to discuss a divorce. To her surprise, the conversation only took ten minutes, and Hori's father took care of submitting the divorce papers to the ward office the next day.
This is Hori's second divorce. She married a doctor in 1989 and had three children, but she divorced in 1999. During the divorce mediation, she met the magazine editor in 1997 and they began dating. She remarried in 2000 and had two more children. Hori currently has custody of all five children.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Avex forms new idol group SUPER GiRLS
Sun, June 13, 2010 (12:32am EDT)
Avex held the final round of its "Avex Idol Audition 2010" on Saturday at the Nakano Sun Plaza. Of the 24 finalists, 12 were chosen to form a new group called SUPER?GiRLS.
This was the first idol audition held by Avex since the company was established. Approximately 7,000 hopefuls applied for the audition, and the field was narrowed down to 24 girls in earlier rounds.
The 12 winners are:
Saori Yasaka (21)
Kaede Kano (17)
Eri Akita (17)
Rina Miyazaki (16)
Mirei Tanaka (13)
Ruka Mizote (13)
Hikaru Watanabe (16)
Aya Goto (13)
Reira Arai (15)
Ami Maeshima (12)
Rika Shimura (17)
Rino Katsuta (15)
During the PR event after the audition, the members expressed their dream of becoming successful idols that could even surpass AKB48. SUPER?GiRLS will make their stage debut on August 7 at this year's a-nation event.
Information about the group can be found at the audition website.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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![](http://Itsuji Itao stars in "Zaborgar" movie)
Sun, June 13, 2010 (1:48am EDT)
It was recently reported that the 1970s tokusatsu television series "Denjin Zaborgar" is being remade into a movie, directed by Noboru Iguchi ("Machine Girl"). Itsuji Itao (46) will star in the film, which is expected to be released in spring 2011.
The original television series followed secret agent Yutaka Daimon, whose father dies at the hands of a criminal organization known as Sigma. Daimon inherits from his father a robot called Zaborgar, which has the ability to transform into a motorcycle. Using Zaborgar and its special powers, Daimon fights to stop Sigma.
Itao is playing the part of Daimon, though a younger version of the character will also be played by Yasuhisa Furuhara (23). Akira Emoto (61) has been cast as Sigma leader Dr. Akunomiya, while Naoto Takenaka (54) has been cast as Daimon's father. Mami Yamasaki, Hiroyuki Watanabe, Yuya Miyashita, and Aimi Satsukawa will also appear in the film.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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"101st Marriage Proposal" being remade as Chinese film
Sun, June 13, 2010 (2:11am EDT)
The hit 1991 drama series "101st Marriage Proposal" is getting a remake as a movie in China. The film will be a joint production with Fuji TV, though the cast and staff will be Chinese.
"101st Marriage Proposal" was a love story starring Tetsuya Takeda (61) and Atsuko Asano (49). Takeda played a man who goes through 99 unsuccessful omiai (arranged meetings intended to lead to marriage), while Asano played the beautiful cellist whom he meets on his 100th omiai. The series peaked with ratings of 36.7% for its final episode.
For the movie remake, Eva Jin ("Sophie's Revenge") will direct. The cast has not yet been announced, but a tentative release date has been set for February 14, 2011, in China.
In addition to the "101st Marriage Proposal" remake, Fuji TV announced that the 1993 series "Hitotsu Yane no Shita" (starring Yosuke Eguchi) is being remade as a Chinese drama series for summer 2011.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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"Kaibutsu-kun" special announced
Sun, June 13, 2010 (2:26am EDT)
The NTV drama series "Kaibutsu-kun" (starring Satoshi Ohno of Arashi) ended its run on Saturday, but the network has already announced that the show will return for a special program later this month.
The 90-minute special is titled "Mou Kaette Kita Yo!! Kaibutsu-kun Subete Shinsaku SP." Unlike many special episodes for other drama series, NTV promises that the entire program is a new work rather than simply compiling highlights from the original series. The show also advertises the appearance of long-awaited guests and at least one surprise guest.
"Mou Kaette Kita Yo!! Kaibutsu-kun Subete Shinsaku SP" will air on June 26 at 9:00pm.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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"Kikaider 01" star dies at 69
Mon, June 14, 2010 (9:37am EDT)
Actor Shunsuke Ikeda died of stomach cancer at a Chiba hospital during the early hours of June 11. He was 69.
Born as Norio Ikeda in Kawasaki in 1941, the actor made his professional debut in the early 1960s. His most famous role came in 1973, when he starred in the tokusatsu television show "Kikaider 01." He also appeared in shows such as "Kaette Kita Ultraman" and "Himitsu Sentai Goranger."
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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TV Tokyo to launch space comedy "Uchuu Daisakusen"
Tue, June 15, 2010 (10:22am EDT)
Actress Rin Takanashi (21) has been given the heroine role in the upcoming TV Tokyo drama series "Uchuu Daisakusen." The show will air late night on Fridays (12:53am) for 24 episodes, starting on July 9.
Takanashi, best known for playing Shinken Pink in the tokusatsu series "Samurai Sentai Shinkenger," will portray an android with superhuman strength named Ohana who wants to be like an ordinary girl. The show is said to have a comedic touch, with Shigeyuki Totsugi (36) and Jin Katagiri (36) providing part of the laughs.
The story is set in outer space in the 26th century, starting from a planet at the end of the galaxy that is on the verge of societal ruin. A spaceship is sent out towards Earth, which is said to have once possessed the means of preventing such destruction. Katagiri plays the ship's captain, while Totsugi plays the pilot and a former space pirate. Also on board are Ohana and a translating dog.
The first episode will include child actress Nozomi Ohashi (11) in a guest role.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Singer Ayako Fuji takes break for health reasons
Tue, June 15, 2010 (10:42am EDT)
Enka singer Ayako Fuji (49) has been taking a break since the start of this month, as she may be suffering from sudden hearing loss.
Fuji attended an event on May 30 for the fourth anniversary of her studio Gallery Aya, but early the next day she visited the hospital after feeling unwell. Her doctor said that she has a very likely case of sudden hearing loss, apparently brought on by stress and overworking.
The singer was scheduled to appear on NHK's "Kayou Concert" on June 1, but she canceled it along with the rest of her work. She is currently resting and receiving treatment for the condition.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Takeshi Kitano, Sou Kuramoto team up for drama special "Kikoku"
Mon, June 14, 2010 (7:13pm EDT)
Talento Takeshi Kitano (63) and screenwriter Sou Kuramoto (75) are teaming up for a TBS drama special that will air this August. Titled "Kikoku," the drama will star Kitano and feature a cast of big names, including Shun Oguri (27) and Maki Horikita (21).
"Kikoku" is based on the 1955 short story "Saipan Kara Kita Ressha," written by the late author Hiroshi Muneta. Kuramoto originally adapted it last year for a theatrical version, but he is writing a new script for the drama.
The fantasy story starts when a unscheduled train arrives at Tokyo Station, carrying the ghosts of a group of soldiers who died honorably during World War II and dropping them off in present-day Tokyo. Kitano plays one of the soldiers, a private first class, who visits his younger sister, but he becomes violent upon witnessing her current misery.
Oguri plays a former musician who was sent to war, leaving behind his girlfriend Yoko (played by Horikita). When he returns to see her, 60 years have already passed. Kaoru Yachigusa will play the older Yoko.
Other cast members include Takashi Tsukamoto, Osamu Mukai, Yoichi Nukumizu, Yuya Endo, Katsuhisa Namase, ARATA, and Koji Ishizaka. TBS plans to air the drama on August 14, the day before the anniversary of Japan's surrender.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Kyoko Fukada stars in "Renai Gikyoku"
Tue, June 15, 2010 (9:36am EDT)
Kyoko Fukada (27) will star in her first film in four and a half years, taking the lead in Shoji Kokami's comical "Renai Gikyoku ~Watashi to Koi ni Ochite Kudasai~." Kippei Shiina (45) has been cast opposite her as the male lead.
Kokami is adapting the film from his own hit play "Renai Gikyoku." Fukada plays a popular television screenwriter named Mayumi Taniyama. When a producer named Mukai (Shiina) is insistent on getting a script from her, she toys with him by asking him to fall in love with her.
Fukada actually plays three characters in the film - the screenwriter Taniyama, the plain and lonely housewife in Taniyama's script, and the gorgeous female writer in the script penned by the housewife.
Besides Fukada and Shiina, the cast features Takashi Tsukamoto, Masatoshi Nakamura, Misa Shimizu, Masahiko Nishimura, and Jun Inoue. Theatrical release starts on September 25.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Music group Exile raises money for Haiti
Thursday 17th June, 03:00 AM JST
TOKYO —
The 14-member male music group Exile will start a charity to support reconstruction work in Haiti which was devastated by an earthquake earlier this year.
The group’s new song, “One Wish,” written by vocalist Atsushi, 30, is about action and hope for recovery in the disaster-struck country. It is available for download on major music websites. All proceeds from downloads between through Dec 31 will be donated to the Japanese Red Cross Society to help fund reconstruction.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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Wakayama governor says 'The Cove' is one-sided
Thursday 17th June, 06:07 AM JST
WAKAYAMA —
Wakayama Gov Yoshinobu Nisaka said Wednesday that ‘‘The Cove,’’ a documentary film critical of dolphin hunting practiced in a Wakayama town, is based on a one-sided view and wrong information. Speaking at the prefectural assembly, the governor said he will carry on defending the justness of the dolphin hunt in Taiji, saying that the state and the prefecture control the catch.
‘‘We have continued to be thankful for the blessings of the sea and have carried out this traditional fishing method to protect our livelihoods. There is nothing about it to be criticized,’’ he said.
The film, directed by Louie Psihoyos, won an Academy Award but drew strong opposition from Taiji, where it was shot partly with hidden cameras.
Screening plans have been canceled in Tokyo, Osaka and elsewhere in Japan, leading U.S. dolphin conservationist Richard O’Barry, who appears in the film, to call for resumption of screening to protect freedom of expression.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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STEREOPONY’s album + 3 singles are available on all major digital outlets
June 12, 2010 by J!-ENT
STEREOPONY is a Japanese all-girl rock band that formed in Okinawa in 2007, consisting of AIMI (Vocal/Guitar), NOHANA (Bass), and SHIHO (Drums).
The band gained their first opportunity on the Japanese rock radio program “SCHOOL OF LOCK!!”
Their debut single “Hitohira No Hanabira” was the 17th ending theme for the famous anime series “BLEACH” released on November 5, 2008 and ranked #25 on the Oricon Weekly Charts.
Their 2nd single “Namida No Muko”, was featured as the second opening theme for the second season of the Sunrise series “Mobile Suit Gundam 00”; and achieved #2 in the Oricon charts.
In March 2009, the girls have performed in SXSW 2009, one of the biggest US music festival/showcase and received a thunderous ovation.
3rd single “I do it” is a collaboration with fellow Sony Music Entertainment Japan singer YUI, which was released on April 22, 2009.
Their debut studio album “A hydrangea blooms” was released on June 17, 2009 and ranked #7 on the Oricon weekly charts.
5th single “TSUKIAKARI NO MICHISHIRUBE”, also released with the tie-in with the second season of hit anime series “Darker than Black”; it ranked #8 on Oricon.
Now, Stereopony will release their acclaimed debut album “A hydrangea blooms” (including smash hit “Hitohira No Hanbira” – ending theme for “BLEACH”) and singles “Smilife” (theme song to animation film “Yatterman”), “TSUKIAKARI NO MICHISHIRUBE” (opening theme for anime series “Darker than Black”) and “Hanbunko” (the band’s first cover song), which will all be available digitally on June 8, 2010 from SIN/Sony Music Independent Network.
Also don’t miss their upcoming performance at AnimeNEXT on June 18 – June 20 in Somerset, New Jersey.
Stereopony will be returning to the US as an honored guest at AnimeNEXT for a special performance, panel event, and photo/signing session.
For more info: http://www.animenext.org/
Stereopony official website:
www.stereopony.com
www.myspace.com/stereopony
Source: www.nt2099.com/J-ENT |
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Rising Visual-Kei Band ViViD to Air Live Program
June 15, 2010 by J!-ENT
Popular Visual-Kei band ViViD will be taking part in their live program “ViViD
TV” on musicJAPANplus from on June 27th at 7am (JST), viewable for fans from
all over the world in celebration of their first overseas performance at JAPAN
EXPO 2010 in France.
Break through Visual-kei band “ViViD”, who will be performing at JAPAN EXPO
2010 announced that they will be airing their live program “ViViD TV” via
USTREAM on musicJAPANplus on June 27th from 7am (Japanese Standard Time).
ViViD is a Visual-Kei band consisting of the five members Shin(Vo),
Reno(Gu), Ryoga(Gu), Iv(B) and Ko-ki(Dr). Having formed in April 2009,
they have shaken the Visual-Kei scene with their wide range of sound, making
their name well known and rapidly expanding their popularity.
The band will be appearing in their live program “ViViD TV” directed at a
worldwide audience. This program can be viewed via the Japanese promotion site
“musicJAPANplus”, which portrays the appeal of Japanese pop-culture with a
focus on Japanese music information to an international readership.
musicJAPANplus is part of coolJAPAN inc.
The program will feature a variety of contents including an interview, and is
meant to celebrate ViViD’s very first performance at JAPAN EXPO 2010 in
France. Moreover, unseen video footage will be broadcasted worldwide for the
first time.
Program Name: ViViD TV
Airing date:
June 27th (Sun) 7:00am (JST)
[June 26th (Sat) 3:00pm (Los Angeles),
June 26th (Sat) 6:00pm (New York) ,
June 26th (Sat) 11:00pm (London) ,
June 27th (Sun) 02:00am (Moscow)]
Airing place: musicJAPANplus top page
http://www.musicjapanplus.jp/
ViViD Official Site:http://www.indie-psc.com/vivid/
ViViD Official MySpace:http://jp.myspace.com/vividjp
Source: www.nt2099.com/J-ENT |
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Charts: Kaela Kimura, EXILE
Wed, June 16, 2010 (9:03am EDT)
Kaela Kimura's recent announcement that she is pregnant and engaged to actor Eita seems to be helping her sales. Last week, her best album "5years," which was released in February, climbed more than thirty spots on the sales charts, and this week, her single "Ring a Ding Dong" sold 46,000 copies to become the first #1 of her six-year career.
Fictional anime band Girls Dead Monster ranked 2nd with a new song, followed by the latest single from Morning Musume. VAMPS and BIG BANG round out the top five. This week also saw new releases by Idoling!!!, UNICORN, and MUCC in the #6 to #8 spots.
On the albums chart, EXILE's "FANTASY" outsold the rest with 303,000 in sales. Although EXILE classifies the release as a single, the fact that it includes nine songs means that Oricon counts it as an album for the sales rankings.
The Oasis singles collection charted at #2, and Eikichi Yazawa was not far behind at #3. ONE OK ROCK's new album made it to #4, one place ahead of Ayaka Hirahara. Other new releases in the top ten were from Christina Aguilera (#6), Masashi Sada (#7), and Chemical Brothers (#8).
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Kusanagi, Tsutsumi co-star in mountain climbing play "K2"
Wed, June 16, 2010 (10:52am EDT)
SMAP's Tsuyoshi Kusanagi (35) will co-star in a play with Shinichi Tsutsumi (45) later this year, titled "K2." This will be their first time appearing in a stage production together.
"K2" is a two-man play about two friends named Harold and Taylor who climb K2 (the second-highest mountain on Earth). Harold breaks his leg in an accident during their descent, making it impossible for them to continue, and the two find themselves close to death due to the freezing weather and limited oxygen. The play was originally written by Patrick Meyers for Broadway in 1983, and a movie adaptation was made in 1991 by director Franc Roddam.
Kusanagi and Tsutsumi's version of "K2" will be performed at the Setagaya Public Theatre in Tokyo this November.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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