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Japanese Entertainment News & Info HERE! [part V]
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Sato Eriko leads female pro wrestling group in “Koko ga Uwasa no El Palacio”
Posted on August 22, 2011 by tokyograph
The main female cast for the upcoming “Koko ga Uwasa no El Palacio” (“Welcome to the El-Palacio”) live-action series has been announced. “Cutie Honey” Sato Eriko (29) will play the heroine of the story.
“El Palacio” is based on a manga by Aoyagi Takao about a young man who loses his memory and begins living with a female professional wrestling group called El Palacio. It was announced earlier this month that actor Takeda Kouhei (25) will star as the young man. Sato will play the part of Shumisen Ouka, a former legendary wrestler who is now the strict coach and president of El Palacio.
Some of the other wrestlers will be played by gravure idols Aikawa Yuzuki and Nakamura Shizuka, karate artist and actress Takeda Rina, and talento and figure skater Sawayama Rina. Miura Rieko will play the hostess of a bar near the El Palacio.
“Koko ga Uwasa no El Palacio” will start in October, airing Friday nights at 12:12am.
www.tokyograph.com |
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Watanabe Ken’s supporting cast for “Hayabusa” revealed
Posted on August 22, 2011 by tokyograph
A press conference was held on Monday to reveal the main cast for the big-budget movie “Hayabusa: Harukanaru Kikan,” which stars actor Watanabe Ken. Watanabe, who plays the project manager of the Hayabusa space probe, was on hand to introduce his fellow cast members.
Besides Watanabe, the film brings together Eguchi Yosuke, Yoshioka Hidetaka, Natsukawa Yui, Ozawa Yukiyoshi, Ishibashi Renji, Nakamura Yuri, Fuji Tatsuya, and Yamazaki Tsutomu.
Toei first announced details about the “Hayabusa” movie this past May. Takimoto Tomoyuki is directing the film, which reportedly has a budget of 1.5 billion yen.
“Hayabusa: Harukanaru Kikan” is scheduled to premiere in Japan on February 11, 2012.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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S/mileage’s Ogawa Saki to leave Hello! Project on August 27
Posted on August 23, 2011 by tokyograph
The official website for idol group S/mileage announced today that member Ogawa Saki (14) is graduating from the group and from Hello! Project. Her last event with S/mileage will be their concert in Nagoya on August 27.
S/mileage just announced the addition of 5 sub-members earlier this month. Producer Tsunku revealed in late May that the group would be holding auditions for new members, and at the time, he mentioned that there was a possibility of a current member leaving. Although Tsunku had always planned to add members to the group, he stated that the move was accelerated by Ogawa’s departure, since she expressed her desire to leave the group in early May.
According to Tsunku, Ogawa said in early May that she had been torn about her future and consulted with the staff many times, but in the end she decided that she wants to return to being a normal middle school student and requested permission to quit.
The other members of S/mileage – Maeda Yuka, Wada Ayaka, and Fukuda Kanon - will carry on the group, along with the five new sub-members.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Eikura Nana, Kanno Miho, ARATA in love triangle for “A Taste of Honey”
Posted on August 23, 2011 by tokyograph
  
Fuji TV has announced its Thursday night drama series for this fall. Titled “Mitsu no Aji ~A Taste Of Honey~,” the show will co-star actresses Eikura Nana (23) and Kanno Miho (34) with actor ARATA (36) playing the male lead.
The story will focus on a love triangle between the three leads. Eikura plays the role of Morimoto Naoko, a girl from the countryside whose first love is her uncle, Ikezawa Masato (ARATA). She follows after him to Tokyo by getting admitted into an elite medical university, but there she runs into Masato’s girlfriend and colleague Aya (Kanno), a beautiful and intelligent researcher who is the daughter of the university hospital’s director. However, things get complicated after Naoko and Masato meet again.
The screenplay of “Mitsu no Aji” is written by Oishi Shizuka, who has written shows such as “Second Virgin” on NHK.
“Mitsu no Aji” will air on Thursdays at 10:00pm, beginning in October.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Takakura Ken reunites with director Furuhata Yasuo for first film in 6 years
Posted on August 24, 2011 by tokyograph
Legendary actor Takakura Ken (80) is coming back to the big screen with his first film in roughly 6 years. He will play the lead role in “Anata e,” the latest movie from director Furuhata Yasuo. Furuhata previously directed several of Takakura’s best known works, including “Poppoya,” “Yasha,” and “A, Un.”
“Anata e” will be Takakura’s 205th film, and his 19th working with Furuhata. The movie is based on a draft left behind by “Yasha” and “A, Un” producer Ichiko Seichi, who died in 2008. Furuhata and screenwriter Aoshima Takeshi reworked the story, resulting in the current script.
Takakura plays the part of Kurashima Eiji, a guidance officer at a prison in the Hokuriku region. Believing that he would go through life single, he unexpectedly gets married just before the age of 50 to a singer named Yoko who visited the prison. However, the happy marriage ends 15 years later as Yoko passes away at the young age of 53. Eiji then receives a letter left by his wife, asking him to scatter her ashes in the sea of her hometown. Wondering why she never told him of her wish while she was alive, he sets out on a journey across Japan to Kyushu, driving in the camping car that they had planned to use for a trip around the country.
Cameras will begin rolling on September 7, and filming is expected to wrap up in mid-November. Theatrical release is planned for fall 2012.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Shimada's exit comes amid gov't drive to stamp out organized crime
ENTERTAINMENT AUG. 25, 2011 - 06:23AM JST ( 23 )
TOKYO —
Comedian and television host Shinsuke Shimada’s exit from show business over revelations of close ties with a senior yakuza gangster comes amid an intensifying government drive to stamp out organized crime from the entertainment and sporting worlds.
Shimada, 55, retired from the entertainment industry Tuesday night after it emerged he had exchanged text messages with a gang member, his agency said on its website on Wednesday. “These exchanges indicated a certain amount of closeness between them,” said Yoshimoto Kogyo Co. “Such activity involving a personality on TV or in other media which have a great social impact cannot be condoned for any reason.”
The sharp-tongued comedian hosted six popular TV shows every week, including a program to rate privately treasured antiques.
His exit has shocked the country’s television industry, although there is a long history of rumors connecting Japanese mobsters with entertainers.
Shimada has admitted he had known the unnamed gangster since being saved from unspecified “personal trouble” more than 10 years ago. “We have met in person just four or five times as we were aware that entertainers and crime syndicate members should not mix,” he said.
He said he had not paid the yakuza for his help in solving the trouble which, according to reports, came after he was intimidated by another gang for having ridiculed a right-wing group on his talk show.
“I felt indebted to him. I thought it was safe to remain associated at this level,” he said. “I have tumbled down from the top of the mountain down the cliff but I think it is typical of me. I want to live quietly.”
Tuesday’s news conference was held as a popular weekly magazine prepared to publish an article on Shimada’s yakuza connections.
His associate was identified by Japanese media as the head of an Osaka-based gang affiliated to the Yamaguchi-Gumi, Japan’s biggest crime organization.
Shimada, known for his straight-talking style, has long been controversial. In 2004, a court fined him 300,000 yen for punching and injuring one of his agency’s female employees.
Shimada started his showbiz career in 1977 as part of a duo, helping to whip up a boom in “Manzai” stand-up comics across the country. He went solo in 1985, becoming a fixture on evening television.
Even Japan’s top government spokesman, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano, commented on the case. “It was unavoidable as the government has been strongly promoting efforts to eliminate organized crime,” Edano said.
“Mr Shimada has been loved by the people because of his genius. It is unfortunate that such talent has been cut down this way.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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AKB48's “Flying Get” breaks 1 million on first day
Posted on August 24, 2011 by tokyograph
According to Oricon’s daily sales charts, AKB48’s 22nd single “Flying Get” has sold more than 1 million copies in its first day. The single, which officially went on sale on August 24, sold a total of 1,025,952 copies to take #1 on the daily rankings. In comparison, V6’s new single “Sexy. Honey. Bunny! / Takara no Ishi” sold 28,943 copies in the same time period to rank #2.
In May, AKB48's previous single “Everyday, Kachusha” sold 942,475 on its first day, and it went on to set a new all-time record of 1,333,969 copies for first week sales. By breaking the million mark on the first day, “Flying Get” is poised to surpass “Everyday, Kachusha” and again set a new weekly record.
“Flying Get” is now the group’s fourth single to reach 1 million, after “Everyday, Kachusha,” “Sakura no Ki ni Narou,” and “Beginner.”
The senbatsu members for “Flying Get” were chosen in AKB48's most recent general election. The title track is currently used as the theme song for the drama series “Hanazakari no Kimitachi e ~Ikemen Paradise~ 2011,” which stars popular member Maeda Atsuko. The song also has tie-ins with multiple commercials and has been promoted heavily in the past few weeks.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Nishijima Hidetoshi, Kim Tae Hee to co-star in Fuji TV drama series (Updated)
Posted on August 24, 2011 by tokyograph
Actor Nishijima Hidetoshi (40) and Korean actress Kim Tae Hee (31) will co-star in a Fuji TV drama series this fall, titled “Boku to Star no 99 Nichi.” This will be Kim’s first appearance and first lead role in a Japanese television series.
Nishijima has starred in drama specials and in NHK drama series before, but he has never had a lead role in a full-length series on one of the commercial TV networks.
The story will be a romantic comedy about a top Korean actress (played by Kim) and a dull 40-year-old part-time security guard (played by Nishijima) who is assigned under a 99-day contract as her bodyguard while she is in Japan. Kim’s role will require her to speak Japanese lines for the first time.
Fuji TV will broadcast “Boku to Star no 99 Nichi” on Sunday nights at 9:00pm. The series is set to premiere in October.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Fukushima Film Project “Totecheeta Chiquitita” to proceed with filming
Posted on August 24, 2011 by tokyograph
A press conference was held last week to announce production for the movie “Totecheeta Chiquitita,” which will be shot in the Fukushima prefecture later this year. It was revealed that the film will star Toyohara Kosuke, Matsubara Chieko, Hayama Shono, and new actress Jurina.
“Totecheeta Chiquitita” has been in development since 2008 as the Fukushima Film Project, led by producer Kokatsu Tatsuko who was born and raised in Fukushima. Casting and preparations had started in February 2011 with support from local organizations, but the massive Tohoku earthquake in March forced the original plans to be suspended. However, Kokatsu said that she heard from many people in Fukushima who still want to see the film made in order to revive the region’s image, so the project is being continued with some changes.
The movie will still be shot in Fukushima, reflecting the region’s current conditions and hopefully dispelling the negative images people may have of the area.
The story revolves around Yuriko, a survivor of the Tokyo air raids in 1945 who is now a 70-year-old retired teacher. The family members she lost during the air raids have been reborn into the present with different lives. Her mother is now a bizarre young girl (Jurina), her father is a “slightly depressed high school boy” (Hayama), and her brother is a “middle-aged loser on the verge of bankruptcy” (Toyohara). They all reunite in Fukushima, where Yuriko now lives alone.
“Totecheeta Chiquitita” takes its title from a line in the children’s song “Omocha no Cha Cha Cha” and from the ABBA song “Chiquitita.”
Filming starts on October 8 and is expected to finish in November. The movie is planned to premiere first in Fukushima next March, followed by screenings in independent theaters around the country.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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SKE48's Matsushita Yui to graduate due to injury
Posted on August 25, 2011 by tokyograph
SKE48 Team S member Matsushita Yui (23) is officially graduating from the group at the end of September. The news was announced during SKE48's concert in Aichi on Thursday night.
Matsushita has been on leave from the group since January 2010 due to injuries in both of her ankles. While receiving treatment and undergoing rehabilitation, she has occasionally made guest appearances at SKE48 concerts and events. However, since it appears that she is still a long way from complete recovery, it was decided that she will fully graduate from SKE48.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Perfume to perform at 2011 Asia Song Festival
Posted on August 25, 2011 by tokyograph
Perfume announced on their official website that they will participate in the 2011 Asia Song Festival, which will be held at Daegu Stadium in South Korea on October 15.
This year is the 8th time that the Asia Song Festival will bring together top artists from various Asian countries. Besides Perfume, the lineup includes SUPER JUNIOR and Shoujo Jidai (Korea), Peter Ho (Taiwan), Leo Ku (Hong Kong), Zhou Bichang (China), and Tata Young (Thailand).
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Post Last Edit by whitedove at 12-9-2011 16:24
Ailing maestro Ozawa cancels two performances this week
ENTERTAINMENT AUG. 26, 2011 - 01:00PM JST ( 5 )
NAGANO —
Internationally renowned conductor Seiji Ozawa, 75, canceled a performance at Thursday’s Saito Kinen Festival in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, at which he had been scheduled to conduct an opera. A festival representative released a statement Thursday, explaining that the performance had to be canceled due to the maestro’s health problems, but gave no further details.
The news comes after Tuesday’s performance was also canceled. Festival organizers said Ozawa was suffering from pneumonia and dehydration. A spokesperson for Ozawa said that his doctor believed he had recovered, but that Ozawa still could not find the energy to leave his sickbed and plans to take further rest.
Ozawa is scheduled to conduct the Saito Kinen Orchestra during a China tour beginning Sept 1. His spokesman said his doctor will wait until the last possible minute before deciding whether Ozawa is able to make the trip.
Ozawa underwent treatment for esophageal cancer in January 2010, and then earlier this year, had endoscope surgery to remove a back hernia. He is still undergoing rehabilitation.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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Parody of Girls Generation song proves big hit on YouTube
ENTERTAINMENT AUG. 26, 2011 - 07:00AM JST ( 16 )
TOKYO —
A parody of Korean pop group Girls Generation’s song “Gee” by SMAP’s Masahiro Nakai, accompanied by Oyaji Dancers, a dance group of elderly men, has become a big hit on YouTube. For the parody, they renamed Girls Generation (Shojo Jidai) to Showa Jidai (Showa generation)—the era from Dec 25, 1926 to Jan 7, 1989. They also renamed the song from “Gee” to ? (Jii) which means old man.
In the video, the guys dance to the same choreography as in the original version and the background uses part of the original version. Their dance moves and their costumes are well prepared, especially Nakai’s make-up and wig which make him look like a “jii-san.”
This video is popular not only in Japan but also in other countries too and has been played more than 2 million times so far on YouTube. Responses from other countries include “Good job, Nakai!!” “Japan is great!” etc.
Parodies like this often appear on the Fuji TV program “SMAP×SMAP.”
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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“Ouran High School Host Club” drama series to get a movie in 2012
Posted on August 25, 2011 by tokyograph
The television drama adaptation of “Ouran High School Host Club” (TBS) will also be turned into a movie, it was announced on Thursday. The movie will feature the same main cast of Kawaguchi Haruna, Yamamoto Yusuke, Daito Shunsuke, Ryusei Ryo, Chiba Yudai, Nakamura Masaya, Takagi Shinpei, and Takagi Manpei.
Based on Hatori Bisco’s manga of the same name, the “Ouran High School Host Club” drama began airing in July and will air its 6th episode tonight.
Sony Pictures Entertainment will be the distributor for the film. This is the first time that it will handle a movie based on a television drama series. Filming will begin this fall, targeting a theatrical release in March 2012.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Konno Asami revealed to be in relationship
Posted on August 25, 2011 by tokyograph
TV Tokyo announcer and former Morning Musume member Konno Asami (24) is currently in a romantic relationship. This week’s issue of FRIDAY published photos of Konno with a 25-year-old man who is said to be part of a consulting firm. They apparently met while studying at the Faculty of Environment and Information Studies at Keio University, where the man was one year ahead of Konno.
FRIDAY says that the two seem to be living together. They were seen leaving Konno’s Tokyo apartment together and walking side-by-side, and FRIDAY snapped a photo of the man embracing Konno on the subway platform. They were also seen having a meal at a buffet restaurant before returning to Konno’s apartment.
TV Tokyo’s public relations department declined to comment on Konno’s private life.
Konno has been with TV Tokyo since April, and since July she has been a regular on the show “Moe x Kon.”
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Aoi Yu stars in movie “Tamatama”
Posted on August 25, 2011 by tokyograph
Aoi Yu’s new movie “Tamatama” is scheduled to open in theaters on October 15, it has been learned. The movie, which was shot entirely on location in Ireland, is the first feature-length film by commercial and music video director Komatsu Mayumi.
The film’s main concept is “tamatama,” which means “by chance.” Aoi plays a young woman who travels to Ireland, and the fantasy story depicts her life there as she encounters different people and places, resulting in occasional “miracles.”
The movie is scheduled to open in theaters on October 15, 2011.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Television networks looking for new hosts after Shimada Shinsuke’s retirement
Posted on August 26, 2011 by tokyograph
Ever since the sudden retirement of talento Shimada Shinsuke (55) a few days ago, television networks have been faced with a dilemma in their prime time schedules. In the Kanto region, Shimada was the host of five different shows, including Fuji TV’s popular “Quiz! Hexagon II” (Wednesdays 7:00pm). While it was initially expected that the show would be cancelled, it appears that Fuji TV is currently considering continuing the show with different hosts.
Shimada announced on August 23 that he was retiring due to his association with yakuza members, discovered by his agency Yoshimoto Kogyo. Fuji TV quickly replaced its August 24 episode of “Quiz! Hexagon II” with a special program featuring comedy duo Taka and Toshi, though ratings ended up dropping 3.4 percentage points from the previous week to 8.6%. Fuji TV has already announced that the August 31 broadcast will also be replaced.
Episodes had already been recorded for up until September 7, but those will all be shelved. Filming for the September 14 episode and onward was scheduled to take place in early September, and at this point, there has been no notice of cancellation sent to the staff or the performers.
Completely taking the show off the air could prove to be problematic, since filling in a prime time slot with a new show would require a lot of preparation. The show also has events related to “Quiz! Hexagon II” already planned, such as Sata Andagi’s concert scheduled for October 7. Tickets have already been sold, further complicating the matter.
If Fuji TV continues the show, it seems that the primary candidates for the hosting duties are comedy duos FUJIWARA or Shinagawa Shoji, who are already regulars on the show. One source says that bringing in big name celebrities from the outside may not work if they aren’t familiar enough with the show’s atmosphere.
Meanwhile, other networks are also looking for replacements for Shimada. NTV already announced that it will cancel the August 28 broadcast of “Gyouretsu no Dekiru Houritsu Soudanjo” (Sundays 9:00pm) and the August 29 broadcast of “Jinsei ga Kawaru Ippunkan no Fukaii Hanashi” (Mondays 9:00pm).
Possible candidates for the host of “Gyouretsu” are regulars Higashino Koji (44) and Miyasako Hiroyuki (41). For “Fukaii Hanashi,” NTV is considering promoting freelance announcer Hatori Shinichi (40) to the host position and bringing on big name guests each week.
TBS revealed that they will replace “Shinsuke Shacho no Produce Daisakusen!” (Tuesdays 7:00pm) with special programs until September 13. Nothing has been announced yet regarding the network’s plans after that.
TV Tokyo has decided to proceed with taping on Saturday for its show “Kaiun! Nandemo Kanteidan” (Tuesdays 8:54pm). Imada Koji (45) and actor Ishizaka Koji (70) are serving as the temporary replacement hosts. TV Tokyo plans to record three episodes for broadcasts on August 30, September 6, and September 13, but the future of the show after that is undecided.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Seiko Matsuda, Kyoko Koizumi to costar in ad for first time
ENTERTAINMENT AUG. 28, 2011 - 06:58AM JST ( 17 )
TOKYO —
Singer Seiko Matsuda, 49, and actress Kyoko Koizumi, 45, are set to make their first onscreen appearance together in a commercial for FujiFilm cosmetics series Astalift.
In attempt to sell a foundation that is designed to be flattering in any light, the pair were filmed under various lighting conditions in several locations. The commercial airs from Sept 1.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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Kobukuro announces temporary hiatus due to health
Posted on August 28, 2011 by tokyograph
Pop duo Kobukuro is currently on tour, and on Sunday night they held the tour’s final concert at the Makomanai Sekisui Heim Ice Arena in Hokkaido. During the show, they announced that they plan to take a break from their musical activities for about half a year.
Vocalist and guitarist Kobuchi Kentaro has been suffering from dystonia, a disorder of the nervous system, in his neck since the end of last year. As a result, it has become difficult for him to sing high notes. Meanwhile, Kuroda Shunsuke has been suffering from chronic back pain and problems with his throat due to fatigue.
The duo was told that they have to take time off to physically recover, so they decided to suspend their activities for the time being. They plan to resume activities in about half a year, if things go well.
As a result of their hiatus, they are also cancelling their Fan Festa 2011 live event, which was scheduled to be held in Wakayama on November 5.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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NHK to launch NHK Net Radio on Sept 1
ENTERTAINMENT AUG. 29, 2011 - 05:51AM JST ( 6 )
TOKYO —
NHK is to launch a live online streaming service of its domestic radio channels, with the first program going out at 11 a.m. on Sept 1. The new service - “NHK Net Radio” - will also be known as “Radiru Radiru.” Listeners will be able to enjoy NHK’s three radio channels (Radio 1, Radio 2 and FM) by accessing the website http://nhk.jp/netradio/.
From Oct 1, NHK Net Radio will also be available on smartphones. NHK Net Radio will make access to the stations easier for listeners by solving reception problems inside buildings or in regions with wireless interference.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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