Japanese Entertainment News & Info HERE! [part II]

whitedove · Post time 27-2-2009 04:41 PM

'Terminator 4' exhibition to be held in Tokyo

Thursday 26th February, 05:48 AM JST

TOKYO

whitedove · Post time 27-2-2009 04:45 PM

Singer Hanako Oshima becomes a mother
Thu, February 26, 2009 (1:25am EST)

Singer Hanako Oshima (35) announced in her blog that she gave birth to her first son on February 17. Oshima, who is the daughter of actress Yukiko Kashiwagi and the late singer Kyu Sakamoto, has been married since 2006 to a Japanese man running a Brazilian jiu-jitsu dojo.

Oshima is scheduled to return to work with a concert on September 9.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 27-2-2009 04:57 PM

Koji Tamaki, Mariko Ishihara back together with quick marriage
Thu, February 26, 2009 (3:22am EST)

Singer Koji Tamaki (50) and actress Mariko Ishihara (45) have finally ended up together again. On Wednesday, they registered their marriage in the Ota ward of Tokyo, almost 24 years after their turbulent relationship became public.

Back in 1985, while Tamaki was married, it was discovered that the two were having an affair, which led to his divorce the following year. However, they broke up not long after that, and in Ishihara's autobiography that she published in 2006, she revealed that Tamaki had been guilty of domestic violence.

After their breakup, Tamaki went on through two more marriages, while Ishihara had several relationships with other big celebrities, including one marriage and divorce. But their romance was rekindled earlier this month when Ishihara visited Tamaki, worried about his chronic pancreatitis that has forced him to take a break from work.

Soon after their reunion, Tamaki proposed on Valentine's Day. Their marriage registration was filed only 11 days later, and they are already living together. There are currently no plans for a wedding reception.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 27-2-2009 04:59 PM

Team K's Hayano announces graduation
Thu, February 26, 2009 (11:25am EST)

Kaoru Hayano, a member of AKB48's Team K, is leaving the group at the end of its 4th Stage, "Saishuu Bell ga Naru." On AKB48's official blog, Hayano revealed that she is planning to pursue her dream of becoming an actress.

Earlier this month, Hayano transferred to management agency Toyota Office, whose roster includes actor Shinsuke Aoki and actress Akiko Yada.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 27-2-2009 05:22 PM

Former pin-up idol Kohinata Minako has been found guilty on charges of drug possession and use. She admitted to the charges, allowing the judge to issue a speedy verdict at the Tokyo District Court today. She received an 18-month sentence, suspended for three years, and was in tears as she spoke briefly to reporters outside the courthouse.

Source: www.japan-zone.com

whitedove · Post time 3-3-2009 03:34 PM

Aiko Kaito promotes automobile liability insurance

Thursday 26th February, 04:51 AM JST

TOKYO

whitedove · Post time 3-3-2009 03:34 PM

TELEVIEWS / Televiews offers 12 picks to help brighten up spring TV schedule

Wm. Penn / Daily Yomiuri Columnist

Smile. Spring is on the way. The Televiews goal this week is to find a dozen things to smile about in the spring TV lineup.

1. To start, how about a drama series called Smile (Fridays, 10 p.m., TBS, from April). Jun Matsumoto plays Hayakawa, an always-smiling guy with a Filipino father and a Japanese mother. Yui Aragaki has a beautiful smile but is too traumatized to speak. Kiichi Nakai is an ebullient lawyer. This is the story of how they meet, bond and discover what secrets lie behind all those smiling faces.

2. Contemplating just how TV Tokyo plans to make the star of its new April dramanga Yukemuri Sniper (Fridays, 12:12-12:53 a.m.) a sympathetic character makes me smile. He's a former hired assassin who takes a job at a hot spring resort serving guests and reconsidering his past life.

3. Animation fans can smile about the return of Fuji's Dragonball series Sundays at 9 a.m. from April 5. It's one of the few brights spots on the animation front this spring as Meitantei Conan finds himself kicked out of his long-held Monday, 7 p.m. niche at NTV and shipped off to the Sunday, 7 a.m. slot. The only veteran Japanese anime series still holding down early prime-time space are Pocket Monster DP and Naruto (TV Tokyo, Thursdays, 7-8 p.m.) and Doraemon and Crayon Shin-chan (Fridays, TV Asahi, 7-8 pm.).

I'll be grinning from ear to ear if TV Asahi ever decides to chuck the Crayon out of prime time but color me surprised that Pokemon has survived so well. Who would have thought back in 1997, when a flashing and flickering light incident in a Pokemon episode sickened more than 700 children, that the cartoon series would be one of the few weeknight, prime-time anime survivors left in 2009? A 30th anniversary special honoring enduring anime star Doraemon is scheduled for March 20 (7-8:54 p.m.). It includes 30 all-time favorite scenes selected by the show's fans.

4. I'll be smiling and cheering my hometown hero as NHK General takes us back to Pittsburgh tonight with Jero. The Premium 10 special (10-10:50 p.m.) traces his first year on the enka circuit and his first homecoming.

5. It's homecoming night, too, for Daisuke-kun, the nation's favorite canine. Just back from a successful Trans-America jaunt, highlights of the trip are featured in tonight's two-hour Pochi-Tama special (TV Tokyo, 7-8:48 p.m.)

6. Aoi Miyazaki fans must be smiling at all the honors she has been pulling in of late. She was chosen best actress in The Television magazine's Drama Academy Awards for the 2008 NHK historical drama Atsuhime. That series also took the TV Guide Prize at the Japan Movie and Television Producers Association's awards ceremony.

The 2006 NHK morning serial Junjo Kirari made her a household name and in 2007, she married actor Sosuke Takaoka (Rookies). Miyazaki has become one of Japan's top stars of film, television and commercials--all by the age of 23. She recently visited Rwanda to film the documentary Miyazaki Aoi, Kokoro ni Shimiru Africa, airing Sunday, March 1(Fuji, 4:05-5:20 p.m.).

7. Knight (Mokomichi Hayami) has been reactivated. The lovable android robot of the popular, smile-inducing 2008 series Zettai Kareshi is set to return in a spring special. Some high-tech tweaking of his control panel has him up and running again in time to cause some major complications for his owner (Saki Aibu) and her human fiance (Hiro Mizushima).

8. Baseball is back. TV Asahi airs the World Baseball Classic game between Japan and China on March 5, 6:25 p.m.

9. Fans of SMAP's Shingo Katori can look forward to two consecutive nights of their hero in Kurobe no Taiyo (March 21-22, Fuji, 9:04 p.m.). He stars as Kuramatsu, a group leader who played a pivotal role in tunnel construction during the building of the Kurobe Dam in the 1950s.

10. Yukie Nakama returns for the Gokusen 3-Nen, D-Gumi Graduation Special (March 28, NTV, 9:30 p.m.) Once graduation is over, perhaps this series can be put in storage until the 10-year class reunion.

11. And what's this? SMAP's Masahiro Nakai is teaming up with Aya Ueto in a romantic comedy in Fuji's Monday 9 p.m. slot from April. No title or detailed synopsis available yet.

12. Three of Japanese TV's most famous smiling faces host Fuji's three-night, 50th anniversary retrospective. Airing from 7 until after 11 p.m. each evening, it starts tonight with Monta Mino hosting a musical revue. Tomorrow, Sanma Akashiya covers 50 years of variety. On March 1, Beat Takeshi looks at the biggest news stories of the last 50 years.

Well, okay, I admit there were a few smirks and silly grins in this dozen, too, but at least there is something to smile about on our TV screens. And with the economic news what it is, smiles are not a "dime a dozen" bargain anymore.

(Feb. 27, 2009)

Source: http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/features/arts/20090227TDY16003.htm

whitedove · Post time 3-3-2009 03:38 PM

"Picasso" to end after March
Fri, February 27, 2009 (2:04am EST)

TV Tokyo's art variety show "Takeshi no Daredemo Picasso" will be coming to an end after March, the network announced on Thursday. The show has been running since April 1997.

TV Tokyo plans to replace the show with a talk program also hosted by Takeshi Kitano. Tentatively titled "Shiawase Kitano Shinsho," it will begin airing in April.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 3-3-2009 03:39 PM

Compilation album unites Utada, Kumi, Ayumi, DCT
Fri, February 27, 2009 (2:22am EST)

Hikaru Utada, Kumi Koda, Ayumi Hamasaki, and Dreams Come True are appearing together on a collaborative compilation titled "i Ai ~Zutto, Zutto, Ai$hiteru~."

The album features songs chosen through a survey run by record label EMI, asking women in their 20s to name songs that represent eternal love. 15 tracks have been included on the album. One of them is Utada's "Eternally -Drama Mix-," which has only been released digitally so far.

The album goes on sale March 4.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 3-3-2009 03:43 PM

Anime Boston brings Kalafina to the U.S.
Fri, February 27, 2009 (2:42am EST)

Anime Boston announced on Wednesday that the relatively new female trio Kalafina will be attending this year's convention as a guest of honor, along with producer Yuki Kajiura.

The group made their debut in January 2008 and were able to break Oricon's top ten with their third single, released in December. They sang the theme song for the animated movie series "Kara no Kyokai," whose latest film will have its U.S. premiere at Anime Boston.

Anime Boston is taking place on May 22-24. BESPA KUMAMERO has already been announced as another musical guest of honor.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 3-3-2009 03:44 PM

Inamori stars in first drama in four years
Fri, February 27, 2009 (1:54am EST)

Actress Izumi Inamori is starring in a television series for the first time since four years ago. The show is a serious human drama titled "Ai$hiteru ~Kaiyou~," about the love and conflict between a mother and her child.

The drama is based on a manga by Minoru Ito. Inamori plays Satsuki, the mother of a 10-year-old boy. When her son ends up killing a 7-year-old boy, conflict arises in their family, leading to a lot of tears and pain. One of the show's main themes is forgiveness ("kaiyou"). While the original comic told the story from the perspective of the victim's family, the drama will focus on the assailant's family.

Yuka Itaya plays the victim's mother. NTV will begin broadcasting the series on April 15 in its Wednesday 10:00pm time slot.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 3-3-2009 03:47 PM

TsuShiMaMiRe turns major
Sat, February 28, 2009 (12:27pm EST)

Female rock band TsuShiMaMiRe will finally release their first major label single in Japan. Celebrating the 10th anniversary of their formation this year, the group has signed with Victor Entertainment's BabeStar label to put out "Time Lag" on April 22.

"Time Lag" will contain 4 tracks. In accordance with the title, the single will sell for only 300 yen, reminiscent of record prices in Japan during the 1960s.

TsuShiMaMiRe were virtually unknown in 2004 when they began playing shows in the U.S. in association with the SXSW music festival. They have played more than 150 shows in the U.S. since then. In 2007, they were voted Best All-Girl Band in the Shojo Beat Music Awards. Last December, they released the mini-album "Six Mix Girls" in collaboration with the animated series "The Powerpuff Girls."

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 3-3-2009 03:48 PM

Mochida forms Caocao for "Oppai Bare"
Sun, March 1, 2009 (2:27pm EST)

Every Little Thing's Kaori Mochida is teaming up with Takao Tajima (of the group Original Love) to create a special unit called Caocao, whose name comes from the "kao" in both musicians' names.

Together, the two are covering the hit 1973 song "Kojin Jugyo" by The Finger Five. Their version will be used as the theme song of Eiichiro Hasumi's upcoming movie "Oppai Bare," which stars Haruka Ayase as the busty adviser of a boys' volleyball team. Because the movie is set in the 1970s, Hasumi wanted to make use of "Kojin Jugyo."

"Kojin Jugyo" has already been covered once before by misono in 2006.

Caocao will release the single on April 8, ahead of the "Oppai Bare" premiere on April 18.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 3-3-2009 04:01 PM

Yukina Kino$hita in Home Made Kazoku PV
Sun, March 1, 2009 (3:10pm EST)

Talento Yukina Kino$hita (21) has landed her first CD cover and leading role in a music video. She will star in popular hip-hop unit Home Made Kazoku's new single "YOU ~Anata ga Soba ni Iru Shiawase~." The song is about the gratitude we have for the people around us.

Yukina and the band have been friends for about 2 years. At the group's performance last month at Nippon Budokan, the members of Home Made Kazoku commented to her backstage that she was perfect for the song's image, and they asked her to appear in the music video.

The CD jacket and music video portray a natural Yukina Kinoshita, without having her act another role. Unlike the tomboyish image she usually has on TV, her expression is impressively gentle and sweet.

"YOU" goes on sale March 11.

whitedove · Post time 3-3-2009 04:02 PM

Katsunori Takahashi now a father
Sat, February 28, 2009 (11:52am EST)

Management for Katsunori Takahashi (44) announced on Saturday that the actor is now a father. His wife, former fashion model Hanna Nakanishi (28), gave birth to a healthy baby boy on Friday afternoon.

Takahashi and Nakanishi have been married since 2004.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 3-3-2009 04:04 PM

EXILE merges with J Soul Brothers
Sun, March 1, 2009 (1:56pm EST)

Popular music group EXILE held a press conference on Sunday, announcing that they are merging with their related group J Soul Brothers, bringing EXILE to a total of 14 members.

J Soul Brothers started in 1999 with HIRO, MATSU, USA, MAKIDAI, and vocalist SASA. After SASA went solo in 2001, the group added ATSUSHI and SHUN before changing their name to EXILE. In 2007, HIRO served as producer in the revival of J Soul Brothers with new members, and the 7-man team made their major label debut in February 2008.

J Soul Brothers consists of two vocalists - NESMITH and SHOKICHI - and five performers - NAOKI, KEIJI, TETSUYA, NAOTO, and KENCHI.

EXILE's new 14-member lineup will release their first single on April 15, titled "THE MONSTER ~Someday~." In May, they will begin a nationwide arena tour.

Source: www.tokyograph.com