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Japanese Entertainment News & Info HERE! [part II]
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news: anime movie
 
Some big names have been announced to the cast of Miyazaki Hayao's latest anime feature. "Gake no Ue no Ponyo" will feature Amami Yuki (40) and Tokoro Joji (53) as the parents of the fish Ponyo who longs to be human. Yamaguchi Tomoko (43) and Nagashima Kazushige (42) will provide the voices of the parents of Sousuke, the boy she falls in love with. The lead roles will be played by youngsters Nara Yurina (8) and Doi Hiroki (8). Both kids already have several years of TV, stage and commercial experience but this is the first movie for both.
Source: www.japan-zone.com |
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news: celebrity
[J-ENT] Nishikawa Ayako says marriage proposals are a daily routine
Mainichi Daily News reported, 揗edical doctor and TV personality Ayako Nishikawa appeared Tuesday at the 揘ationwide Marriage Proposals Contest, |
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news: artiste/movie
Ataru Nakamura sings "Kitaro" theme
Wed, May 28, 2008 (1:32am EDT)
Singer-songwriter Ataru Nakamura has been chosen to do the theme song
for the live-action "Gegege no Kitaro" movie sequel, which hits
theaters on July 12. The song is titled "Kaze Tachinu" and goes on
sale July 9.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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news: talento
Ogura changes story, denies relationship
Wed, May 28, 2008 (1:50am EDT)
Weekly magazine FLASH reported on Monday that talento Yuko Ogura is now dating actor and businessman Keiichi Kozuki, and she is said to have personally confirmed the relationship. However, she has now stated the opposite on her official blog, as well as on television.
The magazine had spotted Ogura and Kozuki together on May 18 at a baseball game and afterwards at a restaurant. According to the article, a reporter directly asked her if they were dating, and she responded with a yes. She also went further to say that she had fallen for him at first sight.
But after FLASH's article was picked up by the media, Ogura denied the reports by writing on her blog that she and Kozuki are just friends. She now says the magazine just happened to take a picture of her when she was watching the baseball game with a group of people.
Ogura was in a similar situation in 2006, when it was widely believed that she was dating Yoiko comedian Masaru Hamaguchi. That relationship was never officially confirmed, in part due to Ogura's agency cutting her public appearances short whenever the topic was brought up.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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news: dorama
Nagasaku plays wicked woman for new drama series
Wed, May 28, 2008 (2:21am EDT)
Actress Hiromi Nagasaku is taking on the starring role of a TV Asahi drama series titled "Yottsu no Uso," not to be confused with a similarly titled series ("Yu Aoi x Yottsu no Uso: Camouflage") that aired on WOWOW earlier this year.
The drama follows four women in the "around 40" generation, which has been recently gaining attention and is currently the central topic of a TBS drama series. Nagasaku plays Shifumi, an attractive woman who stole her classmate's boyfriend in high school, and despite criticism from others, she got married and had a child. However, she soon divorced and currently keeps a younger boyfriend.
  
The other main characters are three of Shifumi's former classmates: an ordinary housewife (Shinobu Terajima), a work-focused doctor (Reiko Takashima), and the housewife Minami (Michiko Hada). Minami is having an affair with Shifumi's ex-husband (the boyfriend Shifumi originally stole from her), but after she and the man die in a ferry accident, the various secrets and lies kept by the four women all come to light.
Shizuka Oishi is doing the screenwriting. Shooting will start early next month, as the show premieres in July. TV Asahi will air the drama at 9:00pm on Thursdays.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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news: stage play
Fujiwara, Oguri to share stage in "Musashi"
Wed, May 28, 2008 (3:11am EDT)
 
Director Yukio Ninagawa has lined up two popular young actors for an upcoming theatrical production. Tatsuya Fujiwara and Shun Oguri will co-star in his version of "Musashi," written by noted playwright Hisashi Inoue.
The story, which revolves around the famous swordsman Miyamoto Musashi, was penned by Inoue more than 20 years ago. He had hoped to turn it into a Broadway musical, but the dream was never realized. Three years ago, he worked with Ninagawa for the first time on a different play, and they eventually decided to team up again to take "Musashi" to the stage.
Fujiwara will take on the role of Musashi, while Oguri plays his rival Sasaki Kojiro. The two swordsmen had a famous duel in 1612, during which Sasaki was defeated and killed.
Anne Suzuki and Kayoko Shiraishi have also been cast. Performances have been scheduled for March-April 2009 in at least Saitama, Tokyo, and Osaka. Ninagawa and Inoue are also aiming to have the play performed overseas in the future.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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After a half century of hosting some of Japan's biggest stars, the Shinjuku Koma Theater is to close. Located in the heart of the Kabukicho entertainment district, the theater named after its circular stage opened in 1956. It played host to such legendary names as Misora Hibari, Kitajima Saburo and Yashiro Aki and at it's peak in the 1970s the 2,088-seat venue welcomed a million visitors a year. But that number has dropped recently, even with big productions like the show that launched Matsudaira Ken's "MatsuKen Samba II" or the Queen tribute "We Will Rock You." The last regular production will feature a cast of former top Takarazuka stars and run until December 22. The theater's swan song will be a New Year's Eve concert to be broadcast live on TV Tokyo. The closure also means the end for the smaller Theater Apple, the Shinjuku Koma Toei cinema, a bowling alley and restaurants. Management company Koma Stadium say they will work with the Toei movie studio, who own the land, the develop a new site from next year.
Source: www.japan-zone.com |
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news: actress
Actress Kyono Kotomi (29) got married last weekend, it was revealed yesterday. She and her new hubbie, described only as 30-year-old theater staffer "A-san," registered their marriage at a Tokyo city office on Saturday. They currently have no plans for a wedding or reception.
Source: www.japan-zone.com |
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news: idol
Tokio member Kokubun Taichi (33) has a new love in his life, according to today's issue of weekly magazine "Shuukan Bunshun." His partner is described as a beauty in her early 20s and the couple are said to be sharing Kokubun's Tokyo apartment. As usual, Johnny's Jimusho have denied that the two are anything more than friends. It's the first such rumor about Kokubun since he and singer Aiko (32) split up in August 2006 after an 8-year relationship.
Source: www.japan-zone.com |
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news: actress
[J-ENT] Yonekura Ryoko promotes Yokohama
Mainichi Daily News reported, 揂ctress Ryoko Yonekura promoted the charm of her birthplace Yokohama at an event held in Tokyo on Wednesday for next year抯 揧okohama Port Opening 150th Anniversary |
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news: artiste
[EVENT] HALCALI coming to New York City (May 30 & June 1)
HALCALI抯 upcoming US performance will be in NYC at an event called Japan Day @ Central Park on Sunday, June 1.
Also on May 30, the girls will be making appearance at Kinokuniya bookstore in NYC for recording of a Japanese radio show. This will be open to public and an autograph session will follow. Please see attached press release for details.
Japan Day Official Website; http://japandaynyc.org/main/index.php?lang=japanese
HALCALI Official Website/MySpace:
http://www.halcali.com
http:/www.myspace.com/halcali
Link to Sister Ship featuring eV video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ro5lGLyCi30
Source: www.nt2099.com/J-ENT |
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news: event
Yankumi to help save the earth
Thu, May 29, 2008 (12:40am EDT)
 
Yukie Nakama is joining boy band Arashi as one of the celebrity hosts of NTV's charity program "24 Hour Television," taking place on August 30-31. Part of the show will feature her in character as Yankumi from the "Gokusen" drama series, which is currently doing well in the ratings for its third season.
The annual telethon, whose theme is "Love Saves the Earth," is in its 31st year.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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news: actress
Hirosue chosen as "Miss Lily"
Thu, May 29, 2008 (12:55am EDT)
The International Flower Bulb Centre presented its 7th annual Miss Lily award on Wednesday, given to a celebrity who best matches the image of a lily. This year's recipient was actress Ryoko Hirosue, who seems to have kept her "pure" image despite a shotgun marriage with designer Takahiro Okazawa in 2003 and a subsequent divorce this past March.
Past honorees include Hitomi Kuroki, Takako Tokiwa, Yoshino Kimura, and Ryoko Yonekura (last year).
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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news: anime
Choi Ji Woo rejoins Yon-sama for "Winter Sonata" anime
Thu, May 29, 2008 (1:35am EDT)
 
Korean actress Choi Ji Woo has been confirmed for the voice cast of the "Winter Sonata" anime series, which is based on the popular Korean drama of the same name. She and actor Bae Yong Joon are reprising their lead roles from that show for the animated version.
The anime is expected to air in Japan and Korea in 2009.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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news: movie
"Aibou" settles in for the long run
Thu, May 29, 2008 (10:56am EDT)
The "Aibou" movie continues to be a big hit at the box office, and on Wednesday it was announced that the film's run is being extended. It opened at the start of this month on a little over 300 screens and has so far grossed 3.2 billion yen. The movie was initially scheduled to run until at least June 6, but it has been decided that "Aibou" will continue playing in theaters beyond that, keeping its screen count close to 300.
Toei's current biggest hit is "YAMATO," which earned roughly 5.1 billion yen in 2006. So far, "Aibou" has outperformed "YAMATO" by a factor of 114% and appears to be on track to set a new record for the studio.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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news: event
Yesterday musicians including U2 frontman Bono and local star Misia braved the rain to take part in an event in Yokohama to raise awareness of poverty in Africa. The "One For All" event was held at the city's waterfront Yama#a Park, and also featured saxophonist Watanabe Sadao, Colombian rock musician Juanes, and African singer Youssou N'Dour. They and some 1,500 local residents donned white t-shirts with the simple kanji "hito" (person), designed by artist Antony Gormley. In what was described as an artistic installation, the British sculptor directed the crowd in forming a human figure. Also yesterday, Bono addressed the Tokyo International Conference on African Development IV meeting of Japan and African nations, and met with Prime Minister Fukuda Yasuo for about 40 minutes to discuss Japan's aid program to Africa and environmental issues. His attendance at the TICAD meeting, appearances on TV and in various events this week have greatly increased public and media interest in the issues. On Tuesday, Bono received an honorary doctorate from Keio University.
Source: www.japan-zone.com |
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news: celebrities
 
SMAP's Nakai Masahiro (35) and J-pop queen Koda Kumi (25) were recently spotted at an exclusive onsen resort. The couple were seen leaving a high-class ryokan at the Yugawara onsen this week and the photos appear in today's issue of weekly magazine "Friday." Rumors of their romance caused a huge media buzz late last year but they have continued to refuse to acknowledge their relationship. Following a scandal in January that side-tracked her career, Koda is due to make her first TV appearance in several months on TV Asahi's "Music Station" tonight.
Source: www.japan-zone.com |
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news: actress
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[J-ENT] Fukada Kyoko unable to fit into sexy 揧atterman |
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news: idol
Shigeaki Kato gets his own stage show
Fri, May 30, 2008 (1:43am EDT)
NEWS member Shigeaki Kato will hold his own "entertainment show" this summer, titled "Konnan Yatte Mima$hita." Kato has gained a reputation as a literary person through his writings on Johnny's Web and in the magazine Myojo, and now he has drafted his own ideas for this production, which will apparently include short film, skits, and recitations.
The show will run at The Globe Tokyo from July 14 to 30, followed by a run at Osaka's Umeda Arts Theater from August 2 to 8.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Post time 30-5-2008 05:43 PM
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