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"Singing" cat group to debut in Japan
Thu, February 28, 2008 (5:26pm EST)

Japan's "neko boom" has reached new levels, as the country will soon see the 5-cat group MUSASHI'S release its first digital single. The cats have been signed with major talent agency Stardust Promotion to "sing" a cover of "Hotaru no Hikari," a folk song set to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne" that is commonly sung at graduation ceremonies.

MUSASHI'S - made up of five Norwegian Forest Cats named Musashi, Leo, Luka, Seri, and Marble - gained worldwide internet fame at the end of last year when their owner released a YouTube video of the cats' rendition of "Jingle Bells."

As the cats have little use for money, their contract with Stardust is said to include about 7,000 yen worth of tuna.

"Hotaru no Hikari" will begin distribution through mobile music site music.jp on March 3. A second single, "Ichinensei ni Nattara" (a song for those entering a new school), will be released on April 7. Future plans include more covers of seasonal tunes as well as original songs. TV appearances and CD releases are also being considered.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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It didn't take long for the rumors to start flying around Kanda Uno's recent marriage. Kanda (32) and pachinko company president Nishimura Takuro (38) held a hugely expensive and flamboyant wedding ceremony last October, with over 700 guests and at an expense of about

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Singer Wada Akiko (57) is renowned for her tough talk when it comes to misbehaving celebs. Her target yesterday was sumo grand champion Asashoryu (27), who's latest scandal involved him verbally abusing a newspaper reporter who snapped photos of him in Honolulu airport. Unhappy about being seen in an aloha shirt and shorts, he told the reporter to "Drop dead!" By the time he arrived back in Tokyo he'd changed into a kimono more befitting a yokozuna. Wada said "He's bad by nature. I'd like to have a month with him. I'd take him on too, if I were a bit stronger." She said he could learn a lesson from African-American enka debutant Jero (26) and his humble manner.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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With a sparkler on her left ring finger, busty talento Megumi (26) attended a movie PR event in Tokyo yesterday. Asked whether she and Dragon Ash vocalist Furuya Kenji (29) have any plans for marriage, she said "I'll let you know when the time comes, so I'd be delighted if you'd just let us be."

Source: www.japan-zone.com

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Morning Musume announces Taiwan show
Fri, February 29, 2008 (4:24am EST)



Hello! Project has announced that Morning Musume will perform at the Nankang Exhibition Hall in Taipei, Taiwan on May 24. Members of the Hello! Project Taiwan Fan Club can purchase tickets starting on the 29th, while non-members will have to wait until mid-March.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Rumors say Uno's not the only one cheating
Fri, February 29, 2008 (4:51am EST)



A weekly magazine recently reported that talento Uno Kanda may be having an affair, but a separate publication says that Kanda may not be the only one.

Kanda is currently on a business trip in Europe, and according to FLASH, she was accompanied by Kunisuke Sadakata, the president of the Alcazaba resorts. Meanwhile, FRIDAY says that Takuro Nishimura, Kanda's husband and the CEO of Nittaku Group, enjoyed a trip of his own with a popular hostess.

Last weekend, Nishimura spent two days at an onsen in Hakodate, Hokkaido, with two other men and five women. One of the girls is the #1 hostess at a Roppongi club, and she is said to be closely connected to Nishimura for the past 5 years. During the trip, FRIDAY's reporter snapped some pictures of the pair walking and riding a taxi together.

Both Nishimura's company and Kanda's agency have said they are unable to comment further on the rumors.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Tengan's new film features 50-person sex scene
Fri, February 29, 2008 (5:19am EST)

Director Daisuke Tengan has finished shooting his new movie, titled "Sekai de Ichiban Utsukushii Yoru" ("The Most Beautiful Night in the World").

An original script written by Tengan himself, the movie is themed around Japan's declining birth rate, which is one of the biggest problems currently facing the country. The story starts with a young girl telling a secret about her own town, said to have the highest birth rate in the nation.

Tomorowo Taguchi plays the starring role as a newspaper reporter demoted to the town 14 years ago. Ryo Ishibashi is an ex-radical trying to start a "sexual revolution," and former Takarasienne Sarara Tsukifune plays the gentle "mama" of a snack bar. Other cast members include Shiro Sano, Akira Emoto, Shunsuke Matsuoka, and Yukiya Kitamura.

One of the picture's highlights is a 50-person sex scene, alluded to in the film's title. Naturally, Ishibashi's character is a participant in the event. While the scene may sound similar to the 750-person orgy scene in Tom Tykwer's "Perfume: The Story of a Murderer" (which got a release in Japan last year), Tengan's film is unique in its connection to a real national problem.

"Sekai de Ichiban Utsukushii Yoru" is set to open in theaters this May.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Billboard launches Japan music charts
Fri, February 29, 2008 (5:49am EST)

Billboard, best known for its music charts in the U.S., announced on Thursday that it has started providing charts for the Japanese music industry. Rankings will be released on Wednesdays, based on data from more than 3,000 CD shops and 33 radio stations. The charts will be managed by Billboard's partner in Japan, the Osaka-based Hanshin Contents Link.

There are 4 charts in all: Hot 100, Top Albums, Hot 100 Airplay, and Hot Singles Sales. The charts can be publicly viewed at the Billboard Japan site (top 10) or at Tsutaya Online (top 20).

The first set of charts already shows several differences from Oricon's rankings. In particular, the Hot 100 charts do not correspond to any of Oricon's charts, since they are not based only on sales.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Takeuchi, Nakamura finally divorce
Fri, February 29, 2008 (6:10am EST)



Yuko Takeuchi and Shido Nakamura have finally settled their divorce. Management for both celebrities issued a fax to the media on Friday announcing the news. Earlier that day, Nakamura and his lawyer officially turned in the divorce papers.

Takeuchi and Nakamura starred together in the 2004 film "Ima, Ai ni Yukimasu." They got married the following June, and Takeuchi gave birth to their son five months later.

In 2006, Nakamura was caught for drunk driving. It was later revealed that actress Aya Okamoto was with him at the time, while other rumors linked Nakamura to actress Saki Takaoka on another occasion. With their relationship damaged, Takeuchi began seeking a divorce that October and soon began living separately with their son, who is now in her custody.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Razor Ramon HG, Anna Suzuki expecting first child
Fri, February 29, 2008 (6:18am EST)



Razor Ramon HG (real name Masaki Sumitani) sent out a fax on Friday reporting that his wife, idol Anna Suzuki, is five and a half months pregnant. She is expected to give birth on July 30.

The couple married in August 2006. This will be their first child.

Souce: www.tokyograph.com

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Hey! Say! JUMP members co-star in drama special
Fri, February 29, 2008 (7:07pm EST)



Hey! Say! JUMP members Yuto Nakajima, Ryosuke Yamada, Yuri Chinen, and Daiki Arioka will co-star in an NTV drama special this April, titled "Sensei wa Erai!"

Nakajima, Chinen, and Arioka play three useless students at a public junior high school. At first, they find their homeroom teacher dull and bothersome, but an incident leads them to take a liking to him. Along with their former classmate (Yamada) who now attends a private school, the students unite to transform their teacher into a respectable guy.

The actor playing the teacher has not yet been revealed. Filming will start in mid-March, with broadcast planned for an unspecified date in April.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

[ Last edited by  whitedove at 4-3-2008 07:37 PM ]

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Motohiro Hata tapped for "Tsukiji Uogashi Sandaime" theme
Fri, February 29, 2008 (8:12pm EST)



Singer-songwriter Motohiro Hata is doing the theme song for Shingo Matsubara's film adaptation of the manga "Tsukiji Uogashi Sandaime." The song is titled "Niji ga Kieta Hi."

Hata's "Bokura wo Tsunagu Mono" was used as the theme for the movie "Clearness," but this new song will be the first one Hata wrote specifically for a film.

The movie, starring Takao Osawa and Rena Tanaka, opens on June 7. Hata's single will go on sale during the same month.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Oricon: best with a beard
Sat, March 1, 2008 (7:11am EST)



Research shows that beards are becoming more popular among adult males in Japan. With that in mind, [[Oricon] surveyed 2,000 people to see which celebrities were best suited for a beard.

Joe Odagiri ranked #1, with more support among women. Hiroshi Abe was #2, winning the male vote.

The rest of the top ten were Ichiro, Johnny Depp, Tadanobu Asano, Ken Hirai, Yutaka Takenouchi, Makoto Otake, Shunji Fujimura, and Tsuyoshi Domoto and Moody Katsuyama (tied for #10).

Best with a beard:

1) Joe Odagiri
2) Hiroshi Abe
3) Ichiro
4) Johnny Depp
5) Tadanobu Asano
6) Ken Hirai
7) Yutaka Takenouchi
8) Makoto Otake
9) Shunji Fujimura
10) Tsuyoshi Dohmoto (KinKi Kids)
10) Moody Katsuyama

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Oricon: "hime kaji" fashion
Sat, March 1, 2008 (7:13am EST)



"Hime kaji" - short for "hime (princess) casual" - is the latest fashion style gaining in popularity. According to an Oricon survey on the topic, idol Shoko Nakagawa best exemplifies the image.

#2 was Kyoko Fukada, who topped the "hime sexy" survey last summer. She was followed by Yuko Ogura, Yuri Ebihara, and Ayumi Hamasaki to complete the top 5.

Erika Sawajiri ranked 6th, ahead of Yui Aragaki. At #8, there was a three-way tie among Suzanne, Emi Hashino, and Aki Hoshino.

Hime kaji fashion:

1) Shoko Nakagawa
2) Kyoko Fukada
3) Yuko Ogura
4) Yuri Ebihara
5) Ayumi Hamasaki
6) Erika Sawajiri
7) Yui Aragaki
8) Suzanne
8) Emi Hashino (tie)
8) Aki Hoshino (tie)

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Hirai, Kimura, EXILE, Hata win Tokio Hot 100 awards
Sat, March 1, 2008 (6:52pm EST)

Radio station J-WAVE held its 13th TOKIO HOT 100 AWARD event on Friday.

Alicia Keys's "No One" was named Best Song, beating five other nominees that included Angela Aki and YUI.

Japanese artists won the remaining four categories: Kaela Kimura (Best Female Artist), Ken Hirai (Best Male Artist), EXILE (Best Group), and Motohiro Hata (Best New Artist).

This was EXILE's 3rd time to take the group award. Hirai, on the other hand, picked up his 7th win, as he won the same award 6 times in a row from 2000 to 2005.

13th TOKIO HOT 100 AWARD

Best Song: Alicia Keys - No One
Best Female Artist: Kaela Kimura
Best Male Artist: Ken Hirai
Best Group: EXILE
Best New Artiste: Motohiro Hata

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Seattle show announced for noodles, the pillows
Sat, March 1, 2008 (8:08pm EST)



the pillows and noodles recently announced a brief U.S. tour that includes stops in Los Angeles (March 13), San Francisco (March 17), and New York (March 21). They have now added a show in Seattle on March 19 at Club Motor.

the pillows are also playing at SXSW in Austin on March 15 and at Anime Boston on March 22.

More details can be found at the Delicious Bump Tour website.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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H!P's Erina Mano goes solo
Sun, March 2, 2008 (5:59pm EST)



According to an announcement on the Hello! Project website, Erina Mano is preparing to become a solo artist.

Mano officially graduated from Ongaku Gatas on March 2 after a concert in Osaka. On March 29, she will make her last appearance as a Hello! Project Egg during a concert at Yokohama Blitz.

The date of her solo debut has not yet been announced.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Singer hitomi makes TV drama debut
Sun, March 2, 2008 (6:52pm EST)

Singer hitomi will make her first appearance in a television drama this month. She is playing a part in the NTV special "24 Jikan Atatamemasu ka? Shippu Doto Konbini-den," which stars 8 Yoshimoto Kogyo comedians.

Announced last month, the drama comprises four stories set in a convenience store. hitomi will appear in the last segment as a woman who goes to the store trying to find anything to commit suicide with.

hitomi's first acting experience was a minor role in the 2003 movie "Life Is Journey," directed by actor Seiichi Tanabe. She then co-starred with Ryuhei Matsuda in last year's "Nightmare Detective" and also performed in a stage play.

"24 Jikan Atatamemasu ka?" airs on March 15.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Morning Musume, Takarazuka team up for "Cinderella" musical
Sat, March 1, 2008 (7:58pm EST)



Morning Musume is once again teaming up with the Takarazuka Revue for a musical production. In 2006, Hello! Project members appeared in "Ribbon no Kishi," with the lead played by Ai Takahashi. This time, they will be taking on "Cinderella the Musical."

While Kaoru Ebira was the only Takarasienne to appear in "Ribon no Kishi," this time will involve many more of the group's actresses. The roster includes current members Ebira and Akemi Ko, former top stars Mire Aika and Saki Asaji, and 20 graduates serving as dancers. In addition, the musical is being directed by Sumio Sakai, a veteran Takarazuka director.

"Cinderella" will be performed 33 times at the Shinjuku Koma Stadium from August 6 to 25. Group tickets go on sale April 1, while general tickets will be available on June 29.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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As the hugely popular group Southern All Stars approaches its 30th anniversary in June, two members announced new solo projects at the weekend. Drummer Matsuda Hiroshi (51) has taken on the disco persona Boogie Matsuda and teamed up with several other artists. Calling themselves collectively the "Funky Freaks", they are currently recording the six-track mini album "Good Celebration." And bassist Sekiguchi Kazuyuki (52) is to release the follow up to his 2000 album "Kuchibue to Ukurere" that features whistling and ukelele. He's joined again by whistling actor Takenaka Naoto (51) and has added last year's world champion whistler Wakiyama Kimiko (35).

Source: www.japan-zone.com