|
|
Japanese Entertainment News & Info HERE! [part IV]
[Copy link]
|
|
|
Japan vies for Academy Award with Tetsuya Nakashima's "Kokuhaku"
Wed, September 8, 2010 (6:34pm EDT)
Director Tetsuya Nakashima's latest film, "Kokuhaku" ("Confessions"), has been selected as Japan's entry in the Best Foreign Language Film category at next year's Academy Awards. The choice was announced on Wednesday by the Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan.
Starring Takako Matsu, "Kokuhaku" is a tale of a junior high school teacher's revenge against the students responsible for the death of her young daughter. The film opened in Japan on June 5 and has been very successful - so far, more than 2.9 million people have watched the movie, grossing more than 3.7 billion yen in box office receipts.
The Academy Awards will narrow down the Best Foreign Language Film submissions to a list of five nominees in January of next year. The award ceremony is scheduled to be held in Los Angeles on February 27, 2011.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Yo Oizumi, Tomoyo Harada co-star in "Shiawase no Pan"
Wed, September 8, 2010 (7:03pm EDT)
 
Actor Yo Oizumi (37) will star in a movie tentatively titled "Shiawase no Pan," directed by Yukiko Mishima. Actress Tomoyo Harada (42) will co-star as Oizumi's wife.
The movie is being shot around Lake Toya, located in Oizumi's home prefecture of Hokkaido. The story is an original script about a married couple that moves from Tokyo to Hokkaido and opens up a small bread cafe, devoting themselves to bringing happiness to the shop's customers. Before the start of filming today, Oizumi underwent some training as an apprentice to an actual bread baker.
For Harada, this is her first starring movie role since "Kamiya Etsuko no Seishun" in 2006.
Theatrical release is scheduled for autumn 2011.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Yukie Sone goes major
Wed, September 8, 2010 (7:31pm EDT)
Singer-songwriter Yukie Sone (25) will finally get her major label debut. On October 6, she will release the ballad "Ginmokusei" as her first single.
Sone also currently serves as a reporter on the TBS variety show "King's Brunch" and as a personality on radio shows. "Ginmokusei," which will be released ahead of the single as a chaku-uta on September 14, can be heard on her Thursday radio show "Listen? ~Live 4 Life~."
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Megumi Ohori ranks #1 in SDN48 Senbatsu
Wed, September 8, 2010 (7:47pm EDT)
SDN48 has wrapped up its own "senbatsu" election for its first major label single, as announced last month. Former AKB48 member Megumi Ohori (27) ranked #1 by a wide margin, taking the top rank in all three voting categories. As a result, she will have the center position on the upcoming release.
The rest of the 12 elected members, in order, are Yukari Sato, Kayo Noro, KONAN, Kazumi Urano, Haruka Umeda, Serina, Mami Kato, Haruka Kohara, Kana Ito, Kazue Akita, and Sakura Fukuyama.
Their single, which is not yet titled, will be released on November 24.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9nine changes label and lineup
Thu, September 9, 2010 (5:52am EDT)
Idol group 9nine is ready for a restart. The group will be changing labels to SME Records and pushing itself as a "performance girls unit." 9nine's lineup also changed at the end of last month.
9nine was originally formed in 2005 with nine members. A few members later left, reducing the unit's size to five in March 2009. On August 31 of this year, Moe Miura (17) and Madoka Shimogaki (18) announced on their official blogs that they would not be participating in the next iteration of 9nine. However, two new members were added to keep the group's size at five.
The three remaining original members are Uki Satake (18), Sayaka Nishiwaki (17), and Umika Kawashima (16). Joining them are Kanae Yoshii (17) and Hirona Murata (13).
More information about 9nine's next release will be announced in the near future. In addition, the group will have their own show on MX-TV, starting on September 27. The show's title is not yet known.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Miss Monday ties the knot
Sat, September 11, 2010 (12:33pm EDT)
Rapper Miss Monday (33) got married on Saturday. She wrote in her official blog on Friday about her plans to register her marriage the next day, though she only revealed a few details about her husband.
According to her message, her husband has been working as part of her management and as her live DJ for several years. She did not say how long they have been dating.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Luna Sea's Ryuichi Kawamura hopes to perform at Angkor Wat
Sat, September 11, 2010 (1:07pm EDT)
Singer Ryuichi Kawamura (40) is going to appear in a television documentary program for the first time. On the afternoon of October 17, BS Fuji will broadcast a show called "Kawamura Ryuichi x Garyuu," which is planned to include a segment of Kawamura talking about his plans to perform in Cambodia.
In July of this year, Kawamura traveled to the famous Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Awed by the structure and its impressive echoes, he decided that he wants to perform at Angkor Wat in the near future, playing acoustic guitar and piano but singing without the use of a microphone. It appears that Kawamura has already composed a new song inspired by Angkor Wat, though the lyrics have not yet been written. Naturally, he hopes to perform that song there.
More information about Kawamura's plans will be revealed in the documentary.
Kawamura is currently in the middle of a solo tour, but starting in November he will be participating in a world tour as part of the reunited band LUNA SEA.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Yukari Nishio now married
Sun, September 12, 2010 (12:10pm EDT)
Popular NTV announcer Yukari Nishio (33), who hosts the show "Zoom In!! SUPER," is now officially married. On Sunday, she sent out a fax stating that she recently registered her marriage but plans to continue working.
It was learned just last week that Nishio was engaged to a 36-year-old TV commercial planner. Although it was not revealed exactly when she submitted her marriage registration, it appears to be within the past few days.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ai Otsuka expecting first child
Sat, September 11, 2010 (11:16am EDT)
 
On Saturday, singer Ai Otsuka (28) held a live performance in Yokohama, her first concert since announcing her marriage to RIP SLYME rapper SU (36) in June. During the concert's encore, right before her final song, she revealed to her fans that she is currently pregnant and is expected to give birth in spring of next year.
Otsuka said that she learned she was pregnant this summer. Newspapers are reporting that she is now in her third month, with a due date in April.
She stated that after her concert on the following day, she will likely not do any more live performances until after the baby is born. However, she plans to keep doing her other work as much as possible, including television and radio appearances. She will also continue with her musical activities even after the childbirth.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Erika Sawajiri takes top spot for most TV air time
Monday 13th September, 04:00 AM JST
TOKYO —
The first half of 2010 was full of marriages, divorces, scandals and amorous couples on Japan’s celebrity scene. A Japanese PR agency recently ran statistics on which celebrities received the most air time on TV.
Unsurprisingly, scandal magnet Erika Sawajiri took the top place, with her now infamous attacks on the media rocketing her to number one. With a recent divorce announcement adding to her play time, the actress came in with over 10 hours of footage.
Actor Junichi Ishida was number two, helped by his marriage to the significantly younger pro golfer, Riko Higashio. He received nearly daily coverage.
Comedian Kampei Hazama was 3rd, thanks to his globetrotting marathon. Idol group AKB48 took the number four spot, with near-constant group shakeups landing them on TV almost every day.
Comedian and filmmaker Takeshi Kitano rounded out the top five, while Michael Jackson came in at 7th.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anzen Chitai Tour Chaos
September 13, 2010
Rock band Anzen Chitai gave up on last night's concert halfway through due to problems with its frontman. Vocalist Tamaki Koji (52) seemed to be drunk as he got into arguments with audience members, forgot lyrics and finally collapsed on stage. People were already walking out of the show at the Fukuoka Sun Palace Hotel and Hall when organizers brought it to a halt. Kyodo Nishi Nihon announced on their website that tickets would be fully refunded. Today is Tamaki's birthday and there are concerns about whether he will appear at tonight's scheduled show in Kumamoto. The September 7 Anzen Chitai show in Osaka was cut short when Tamaki complained of health problems.
One of the more colorful characters on the rock music scene, Tamaki recently got a lot of media exposure following his relationship and recent marriage - his fifth - to talento and former pin-up girl Aota Noriko (42). This week's "TV Bros" magazine, celebrating its 600th issue, features a photo spread of the couple naked in bed at their Tokyo home.
Source: www.japan-zone.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nippon Creative Vision out of business
Sun, September 12, 2010 (12:44pm EDT)
Television production company Nippon Creative Vision, also known as NCV, was dissolved as a company on September 1, it was recently reported. A lawyer involved in the process stated that the company had a total debt of approximately 200 million yen.
NCV was involved in dozens of television shows, including Fuji TV's "Ainori" and NTV's "Cartoon KAT-TUN." However, the company has been affected by declining advertising incomes and the current slump of the broadcasting industry. In particular, it is said that the company's amount of business has been dropping ever since "Ainori" came to an end in March of last year.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Shimin Police 69" manga gets movie adaptation
Sun, September 12, 2010 (1:27pm EDT)
 
It was recently reported that Kimio Yanagisawa's manga series "Shimin Police 69" is going to be adapted as a live-action film, directed by Ryuichi Honda. The film will star actor Toshiya Sakai (51) in his first lead movie role, with Akari Hayami (15) of idol group Momoiro Clover playing one of the main female characters.
Yanagisawa is best known for writing the manga "Tokumei Kakarichou Tadano Hitoshi" about a salaryman who also serves as a secret corporate agent carrying out special missions. "Shimin Police 69," which was serialized from 2001 to 2006, has a similar concept. The protagonist (played by Sakai) is an ordinary middle-aged worker who is chosen by a crime-exposing organization known as the "Shimin Police," and as a result he winds up in unusual circumstances. The young Hayami plays a girl who ends up changing the protagonist's fate.
Like "Tokumei Kakarichou Tadano Hitoshi," "Shimin Police 69" also incorporates some sexual elements, so adult actress Saori Hara (22) has been cast in the movie.
"Shimin Police 69" is slated for a spring 2011 release.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kumi Koda to release first cover album
Sun, September 12, 2010 (8:01pm EDT)
Kumi Koda (27) is releasing her first cover album on October 13, titled "ETERNITY ~Love & Songs~." The album will include several famous songs with new arrangements, ranging from R&B to electro to acoustic.
Koda, who is celebrating her 10th anniversary this December, came up with the idea for the album 3 years ago. In February 2008, she started production on it, finding time between her releases and tours to select the right songs, create unique arrangements, and perfect her versions.
Most of the songs on the album are famous hits by artists such as Momoe Yamaguchi, Seiko Matsuda, Akina Nakamori, Hiromi Go, and Anzen Chitai. Koda explained that she had come to love the kayokyoku genre because her mother raised her listening to that music. However, the album will also include the song "0-ji Mae no Tsunderera," originally sung by her sister misono (25).
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Haruka Suenaga dating judo fighter
Sun, September 12, 2010 (8:33pm EDT)
 
It is being reported that actress and model Haruka Suenaga (24) is now dating judo fighter Hiroshi Izumi (28), who earned a silver medal at the 2004 Olympic Games. One source says that their romance has just barely started.
Suenaga and Izumi met for the first time several years ago and became good friends. Suenaga has occasionally written about Izumi in her blog, calling him "Hii~kun" and referring to him as being like an older brother. Their relationship eventually grew even closer, and they have recently begun going on dates in their free time.
Suenaga changed management agencies last year and has been seeing an increase in her acting work. She appeared in a theatrical play in June and is currently in the Fuji TV drama "Tenshi no Dairinin." People around her say that she is the type to focus on work over romance, so this relationship is not likely to lead to marriage any time soon.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Onitsuka Chihiro Victim of Assault
September 14, 2010
Tokyo police have issued an arrest warrant for a man who is believed to have assaulted singer-songwriter Onitsuka Chihiro (29), the Sankei Sports newspaper reported yesterday. According to information from the Shibuya police station, the incident happened early in the morning of August 18 at Onitsuka's Tokyo apartment. It was not reported until that night, when a building caretaker called the police.
Onitsuka was assaulted by a male friend and left with injuries that required a month to heal. The man's whereabouts since the incident are unknown.
Onitsuka won a Virgin Tokyo Artists Audition while still in high school and her debut album "Insomnia" topped the Oricon chart in 2001. But subsequent years saw modest chart success mixed with health and personal problems. She had surgery for polyps on her vocal chords, admitted to an eating disorder, and talked about a suicide attempt in 2004.
Source: www.japan-zone.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hitomi Hasebe announces marriage
Mon, September 13, 2010 (11:25am EDT)
Actress Hitomi Hasebe (25) revealed in her blog on Monday that she is now married. She and her husband registered their marriage earlier that day, though she provided no information about the man because he is not in show business.
Hasebe has been on hiatus from show business since the end of April this year, when her contract with her management agency ended. It was said at the time that she was retiring, but she restated in her blog that she is just taking a break. However, she indicated that she has been thinking about resuming her career.
Hasebe entered the entertainment industry in 2001, and she made her acting debut with "Battle Royale II" in 2003. In addition to her work as an actress, she has also appeared in variety shows, commercials, radio, and magazines.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Next Kanjani8 album to feature "music film"
Mon, September 13, 2010 (11:54am EDT)
Details of Kanjani8's next album have been revealed. Titled "8UPPERS" ("Pacchi Uppers"), the album will be released on October 20 and will include a special 77-minute "music film" with the DVD editions.
The main CD consists of 13 tracks, written and arranged by artists such as Ulful Keisuke (Ulfuls), DJ KOHNO (Ketsumeishi), and Ken Yokoyama. The regular edition will come with a second CD containing 8 solo songs. The CD+DVD edition will have the "8UPPERS FEATURE MUSIC FILM" and original goods, while the special version of the CD+DVD edition will come with a making-of DVD and extra goods.
The "8UPPERS FEATURE MUSIC FILM" is set in the underworld and has the group's seven members playing the parts of "shimatsuya," a term that often refers to hitmen and literally means "someone who settles things." The film will be screened for a single day (October 11) in approximately 50 Toho Cinemas across the country.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mao Kobayashi launches new burger
Wednesday 15th September, 03:37 AM JST
TOKYO —
TV presenter and actress Mao Kobayashi, 28, perhaps best known as the wife of celebrated kabuki actor Ebizo Ichikawa, 32, appeared at a launch event for a new Lotteria burger commercial this week. The TV ad is for the fast-food chain’s new “ebimayo” (prawn mayonnaise) burger.
The pair were chosen to endorse the product because of their “Brangelina”-esque couple nickname, “Ebimao,” according to Lotteria officials. “I’ve loved prawns since I was a little girl, so I’m really pleased to be doing this,” said Kobayashi.
When the press asked her if she had any personal news to share she responded, “A cause for celebration? We’ve got nothing planned yet.”
Source: www.japantoday.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Author
