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Japanese Entertainment News & Info HERE! [part IV]
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Oshio Manabu Gets Two and a Half Years
September 18, 2010
The verdict is finally in on Oshio Manabu (32). At the Tokyo District Court yesterday, the "former" actor was handed a 30-month prison sentence for negligence resulting in the death of Ginza hostess Tanaka Kaori last year. Prosecutors had sought a 6-year prison term, insisting that Tanaka could have been saved if medical help had been sought soon after she passed out from taking MDMA (Ecstasy). Some experts had expected Oshio to get 6 years or longer due to his continued refusal to accept his guilt. His lawyers insisted that Tanaka died within minutes of becoming unconscious and couldn't have been helped, asking for a suspended sentence. In handing down his verdict, the judge said that Oshio had been found guilty of negligence but that there was a question about whether this was directly responsible for Tanaka's death.
Among the witnesses who appeared in court were Tanaka's parents and the friend of Oshio who supplied him with the drugs. The trial was the first celebrity case to be decided by a jury of lay judges. At a press conference afterward, Oshio's lawyers said that he had trouble understanding some of the verdict as it was read out. "Do I have to go to prison? Or is it a suspended sentence?" he is said to have asked them. He has decided to file an appeal.
Source: www.japan-zone.com |
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AKB48's Shinoda hosts mobile phone show
Wed, September 15, 2010 (10:29am EDT)
AKB48 member Mariko Shinoda (24) has been given her first solo emcee duties, as she will be hosting an informational show called "LISMO Channel (Video)." The 5-minute program, which is available only on mobile phones, introduces the latest dramas and movies in Japan.
During the press announcement for the show, Shinoda commented, "In the future, I want to try being an action actress. Like Charlie's Angels. Maybe I should hold an audition by mobile phone (for the other two members)?"
"LISMO Channel (Video)" will be released every Monday, starting on October 4. Guests for the month of October include actress Riisa Naka (20), Kendo Kobayashi (38), and Daisuke Miyagawa (37).
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Charts: Arashi, Junsu/Jejung/Yuchun
Wed, September 15, 2010 (11:05am EDT)
This week's sales charts were no surprise, as two popular boy bands led the way in both the single and album categories. Arashi was #1 in singles, while the new unit formed by three TVXQ members took #1 in albums.
Arashi's "Love Rainbow" sold 529,000 copies to dominate the charts. Of the group's four singles released so far this year, three have sold more than half a million in their first week. They are very likely to have a fourth when their next song "Dear Snow" goes on sale on October 6.
Including Arashi, most of the top ten singles this week were new releases. GLAY was #2, followed by a "K-On!!" song, then by Korean girl group So Nyeo Shi Dae (also known as SNSD, Girls' Generation, or Shoujo Jidai) at #4. Their song "GENIE" was their first Japanese single, and it set the new record for highest ranking by a debut single of a foreign female artist.
French Kiss (#5), Ai Otsuka (#8), 10-FEET (#9), and WaT (#10) also placed their newest singles in the top ten.
In the album ranking, the three-member unit JUNSU/JEJUNG/YUCHUN was #1 with "The...," selling 140,000 copies. This is their first album since forming earlier this year in the wake of TVXQ's falling apart. They simultaneously released a DVD of their first live concerts that they held in June, and that sold 119,000 copies this past week to rank #1 on the overall DVD charts. They are only the sixth artist (and first foreign one) to simultaneously achieve a #1 album and DVD, with the last one being ZARD in 2006.
Other new albums in the top ten were released by Kyosuke Himuro (#3), Quruli (#4), Angela Aki (#5), Yukari Tamura (#6), clear (#9), and Yuko Ando (#10).
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Kon Ichikawa's "Ten Black Women" being adapted to stage
Wed, September 15, 2010 (11:36am EDT)
Director Kon Ichikawa's 1961 film "Kuroi Juunin no Onna" (usually translated as either "Ten Dark Women" or "Ten Black Women") is getting its first stage adaptation, courtesy of the acting troupe Nylon 100°C led by actor, playwright, and director Keralino Sandorovich (47).
This will be Nylon 100°C's first time basing a play on a film. The original movie starred the late Eiji Funakoshi as a TV producer who has a beautiful wife but still carries on affairs with multiple women. Ichikawa himself also did a remake of the film as a television drama special in 2002.
The Nylon 100°C version of "Kuroi Juunin no Onna" will be performed in Tokyo next spring.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Jin Akanishi's U.S. tour dates revealed
Thu, September 16, 2010 (11:32am EDT)
The official U.S. website of former KAT-TUN member Jin Akanishi (26) has revealed some information about his upcoming U.S. tour, titled "Yellow Gold Tour 3010." The site lists five concert dates in November.
Akanishi performed his first solo concerts in the U.S. this past June. At that time, he stated that he was aiming to perform in seven U.S. cities in September and October, but those plans apparently did not turn out as hoped. His tour will take him to five of the seven cities:
11/7 - Chicago
11/10 - San Francisco
11/13 - Houston
11/16 - Los Angeles
11/21 - New York
Tickets are scheduled to go on sale on October 8.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Maeda Maeda to star in Hirokazu Koreeda's "Kiseki"
Thu, September 16, 2010 (12:17pm EDT)
Comedy duo Maeda Maeda, consisting of two brothers in grade school, have landed a starring role in the next film by acclaimed director Hirokazu Koreeda. Titled "Kiseki," the movie will depict the bonds of a family in the Kyushu region.
Koreeda decided that he wanted to make a film set in Kyushu, due to the scheduled completion of the Kyushu Shinkansen in March 2011. Koreeda is said to be fond of trains, and he has also been interested in doing another film about children ever since he became a father. His last film starring a child actor was the 2004 piece "Nobody Knows" ("Daremo Shiranai") with Yuya Yagira (20).
The story revolves around the brothers Koichi (played by 12-year-old Kouki Maeda) and Ryunosuke (played by 10-year-old Oushiro Maeda). Koichi lives with their mother and grandparents in Kagoshima, while Ryunosuke is with their father in Fukuoka. Their dream is for their divorced parents to reconcile so that they can live together as a single family again. With the coming completion of the Kyushu Shinkansen that will connect their two cities, the two boys hear that when the first trains meet, a miracle will occur. As a result, they recklessly concoct a plan to create a real miracle of their own.
Koreeda says that he was inspired to create the main characters after meeting the Maeda brothers at an audition. The rest of the cast will feature actors that have been in previous films by the director, including Nene Otsuka (42) as the mother, Joe Odagiri (34) as the father, and Kirin Kiki (67) and Isao Hashizume (68) as the grandparents. Yui Natsukawa (42), Hiroshi Abe (46), and Masami Nagasawa (23) will also appear.
Filming begins on September 18 in Fukuoka. The movie is planned for a summer 2011 release.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Takashi Miike to remake "Harakiri" in 3D
Thu, September 16, 2010 (12:31pm EDT)
 
Masaki Kobayashi's 1962 film "Seppuku" (also known overseas as "Harakiri") is getting a 3D remake, with Takashi Miike taking the helm as director. The starring role, originally played by Tatsuya Nakadai (77), will be handed over to Ebizo Ichikawa (32), who last starred in the 2006 movie "Deguchi no Nai Umi" ("Sea Without Exit").
The "Seppuku" remake will have the honor of being the first jidaigeki film in 3D. Due to the classic status and famous cast members of the original work, Miike's version will undoubtedly draw much attention. Miike is looking to start shooting next month, with a release date sometime in 2011.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Junpei Mizobata, Ito Ono star in "High School Debut"
Thu, September 16, 2010 (7:38pm EDT)
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In August, it was announced that Kazune Kawahara's manga "Koukou Debut" ("High School Debut") is being turned into a live-action film. Now, the main cast members have been revealed: Junpei Mizobata (21) will co-star with fashion model Ito Ono (15), who is making her acting debut with this movie.
Ono will be playing the manga's protagonist, a young girl who was completely absorbed in her club activities, but decides to change her image and her love life upon entering high school. Mizobata will play the upperclassman that becomes her coach and eventual love interest.
Tsutomu Hanabusa is directing the film, which is scheduled for release in spring 2011.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Former Ayabie members name their new band AYABIE
Fri, September 17, 2010 (8:49am EDT)
Last month, four members of visual-kei band Ayabie left the band due to problems with vocalist Aoi. They formed their own band, and they recently revealed its name: AYABIE. The group's official website was updated on Friday to announce the decision.
The decision to use the same name clearly indicates that they were unhappy with the direction of the band, leading them to stage this coup. They stated on their official website, "To the four of us, the existence of Ayabie is irreplaceable. Although the paths that we chose are different, our desire to protect that has not changed."
However, the name is not exactly the same, as the original was written as ????, while the new one is written as AYABIE. They explained that their management office said that using the exact name would be a problem if they wanted to go to a major label, but they refused to give up the Ayabie name. The group also announced that Kenzo was taking this opportunity to change the way his name is officially written to KENZO.
AYABIE's first live concert will be in Shibuya on October 22, marking the true start of their activities. They will then go on tour across the country from November 30 to January 6.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Police arrest Chihiro Onitsuka's suspected attacker
Fri, September 17, 2010 (9:24am EDT)
The man suspected of assaulting singer Chihiro Onitsuka (29) last month has been arrested. Shibuya police apprehended the man, Yusuke Komiya (39), on Friday at a hotel in Tachikawa, Tokyo.
As previously reported, Komiya is suspected of attacking Onitsuka at her apartment on the morning of August 18. According to Onitsuka, he struck her face and threw her onto the floor. Her injuries, which included a broken rib, took approximately one month to heal. After the incident, Onitsuka's apartment manager called the police and filed a damage report, leading to an arrest warrant.
Komiya's whereabouts were initially unknown, as he is unemployed and has no permanent address. Onitsuka apparently first met Komiya about two weeks before the attack. According to the police, Komiya is denying the charges.
Meanwhile, Onitsuka has stated that she is currently working on her new album and hopes to finish it soon for her fans.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Asuka Hoshino enters AV industry
Fri, September 17, 2010 (11:57am EDT)
Gravure idol Asuka Hoshino (23) is making her entry into the adult entertainment industry, starting with a hair-nude photobook that goes on sale next week. It will be followed by her first AV release in November.
Hoshino launched her career in 2004 when she was chosen as Miss Weekly Shonen Magazine in the annual Miss Magazine competition. After several image DVDs and two photobooks, her career went on hold in 2006. She finally resumed work last year, with a slight change in the way her name is written.
Like former AKB48 member Rina Nakanishi (22), Hoshino revealed her move into AV with a nude photo spread in FRIDAY, preceding the release of a nude photobook. Hoshino's 80-page book, "Asuka no Jikan," will be released on September 24. She will then put out her first adult DVD on November 4 under the SOD Create label. After that, she is expected to release new works at a pace of one a month.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Announcer Rika Sato enters motherhood
Fri, September 17, 2010 (1:13pm EDT)
Fuji TV announcer Rika Sato has just become a mother at the age of 43. According to multiple sources, she gave birth to a healthy daughter on September 14.
In 1996, Sato married an employee of a large trading company who is five years older than her. Now in their 15th year of marriage, they finally celebrated their first child.
Sato has been delivering the news on Fuji TV since 1989. She has stated that she plans to continue working while raising the child.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Erena Ono's graduation scheduled for September 27
Sun, September 19, 2010 (1:34pm EDT)
The graduation of AKB48 member Erena Ono (16) has been officially set for September 27, during the group's theater performance on that day.
It was first announced in July that Ono was leaving AKB48 in order to study acting overseas. She reportedly decide to pursue that path after appearing in the movie "Sankaku" earlier this year.
Ono is scheduled to take a trip overseas in October in order to look at schools and find a residence. Her destination has not yet been officially announced.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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GReeeeN's HIDE ties the knot
Sat, September 18, 2010 (9:23pm EDT)
HIDE, the leader of the group GReeeeN, is now a married man. He held his wedding ceremony and reception on September 18 at a hotel in a Tokyo suburb, limited to friends and relatives.
According to multiple sources, HIDE's wife is in her late 20s. The two met in Fukushima while HIDE was still in dentistry school and GReeeeN had not yet debuted. They started dating more than five years ago.
HIDE plans to continue both his music and dentistry careers. It has also been learned that GReeeeN will release a new song early next year.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Ichiro featured in U.S. documentary as he nears milestone
NEW YORK —
As the Seattle Mariners’ Ichiro zones in on another record in the majors, a new documentary featuring an interview with the Japanese star will be broadcast nationwide in the United States later this month.
‘‘Baseball: The Tenth Inning’’ is the latest effort by award-winning filmmakers Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, and includes a segment on Ichiro’s impact as the first Japanese-born position player in the major leagues.
‘‘In an era filled with home runs, Ichiro was a revelation, slapping the ball in every direction, beating out infield hits, flying around the bases,’’ says the narrator.
The two-part, four-hour film is a sequel to their Emmy Award-winning documentary, ‘‘Baseball,’’ an epic nine-part series on the game’s history that aired in 1994. The film premieres on Sept 28 and 29.
‘‘So much has transpired in baseball since we last examined the game and all of its many nuances,’’ said Burns, who hopes the documentary will be shown in Japan.
The film covers the last two decades as the league dealt with a labor strike, saw home run records shattered in light of rampant use of performance enhancing drugs, and the globalization of the game with an influx of Asian and Latin American players.
Burns and Novick said they interviewed Ichiro for the film in 2008 during the Mariners’ spring training camp in Arizona.
The documentary chronicles Ichiro’s career in Japan with the Orix BlueWave (now the Buffaloes), followed by his move to the major leagues when he signed a three-year, $14 million contract with the Japanese-owned Mariners in 2000.
‘‘For me, baseball is what made me,’’ Ichiro says in the documentary. ‘‘They say a wolf cub believes the first thing it sees is its parent. Perhaps that is the way I sense baseball within myself.’‘
The film focuses on Ichiro as a pioneer who revitalized the game with base hits and stellar defense during a home-run-happy era.
‘‘I think he represents a counterpoint to a lot of what was out there because this was in the midst of a bludgeon ball era in baseball,’’ broadcaster Bob Costas says in the film.
Ichiro emerged as one of the top hitters in the majors at a time when teams were still wary of signing unproven Japanese hitters.
Ichiro showed his worth right away. In his first year, he led the majors with 50 stolen bases, led the American League with a .350 batting average and set a rookie record with 242 hits—the most since 1930. He won numerous awards, including the first of his nine Gold Gloves, and was named rookie of the year as well as the most valuable player.
While pitchers from Japan had already established a presence in the majors, Ichiro’s success opened the door for future Japanese-born position players.
Of the 14 players from Japan on major league rosters on opening day this year, five, including Ichiro, played the field.
‘‘Other big league clubs were now eager to sign the next Ichiro,’’ says the narrator.
Former Boston Red Sox ace Pedro Martinez spoke about the difficulties of pitching against Ichiro, a 10-time All-Star.
‘‘Even if you get him to hit the ball the wrong way, he’s got such great speed that you never know. You might break his bat, and still, he gets a base hit,’’ said Martinez, a three-time Cy Young winner.
This year, the 36-year-old Ichiro is seven hits shy of his 10th consecutive 200-hit season—a feat no one has achieved in major league history.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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Curtain closing on 64-year Japanese radio program from Russian Far East
Tuesday 21st September, 02:50 AM JST
KHABAROVSK —
A Japanese announcer and his wife had their last recording on Monday of a long-running program to be discontinued this month from the Japanese-language service of the Voice of Russia, the country’s state radio broadcaster.
The roughly 40-minute ‘‘Siberia Galaxy Station,’’ produced for Saturdays by the broadcaster’s Khabarovsk bureau as part of the two-hour daily Japanese-language broadcast, dates back to 1946, but will have its last air time next Saturday night, Japan time.
Kazuya Okada, 49, has been the only Japanese announcer at the bureau, and his program, which introduces Russian culture and the voices of its listeners, has attracted many devotees over time, with about 150 letters and e-mail messages arriving from all over Japan every month.
While financial difficulties and reorganization have forced the program’s termination, many listeners say they miss its departure.
‘‘I’ve come all the way thanks to my listeners,’’ Okada, who is from the city of Saitama, outside Tokyo, said after the recording. ‘‘With the last recording over, I have a sense of fulfillment, satisfaction.’‘
The bureau’s Japanese-language broadcast was launched by Radio Moscow, the Voice of Russia’s predecessor, in 1946. It was a propaganda service during the Soviet era, but since April 1996, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the bureau has aired the program independently made by the Okadas.
The program will end with its 222nd installment aired Saturday during the Japanese-language service on medium- and short-wave frequencies from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m., Japan time, which itself will continue, with all its content produced at the broadcaster’s head office in Moscow thereafter.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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Ryoko Yonekura stars as a sexy tax inspector
Tuesday 21st September, 03:35 AM JST
TOKYO —
Singer and actress Ryoko Yonekura, 35, will star in a new Asahi TV drama set to begin Oct 21, at 9 p.m. The first episode of the series, “The Tax Inspector,” features a scene in which Yonekura, as the lead character, wears a revealing black dress to a host club (a drinking establishment with male entertainers paid to make small talk with guests) and swoons the club’s top host.
The set-up is a ruse to investigate the club for importing tax-free Tiffany jewelry. Yonekura and co-star Norihito Kaneko re-enacted a scene from the drama during a press conference to promote the TV series. Yonekura turned up in a sexy long black dress, while Kaneko got down on one knee to pour her a drink.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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Higashi to Play 2nd Fiddle in Genji Flick
September 21, 2010
Johnny's Jimusho veteran Higashiyama Noriyuki (43, photo right) is to play a key role in the latest big screen adaptation of the Tale of Genji, Japan's and perhaps the world's earliest novel. The Shonentai member was given the lead role of Hikaru Genji in a similar TV adaptation about two decades ago, but this time will be playing second fiddle to young star Ikuta Touma (25, photo left) as the powerful courtier Fujiwara Michinaga. In other big casting announcements, Nakatani Miki (34) will play the role of the novelist Murasaki Shikibu, while Kubozuka Yousuke (31) will play the mysterious court diviner Abe Seimei.
Directed by Tsuruhashi Yasuo (70), the movie started filming yesterday. Budgeted at over ¥1 billion, it is due for release sometime next spring.
Source: www.japan-zone.com |
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Second child for TOKIO's Yamaguchi
Mon, September 20, 2010 (10:48am EDT)
TOKIO member Tatsuya Yamaguchi (38) celebrated the birth of his second child last week. His management announced that his wife gave birth to another son on the afternoon of September 17, and he was present to witness the delivery.
Yamaguchi married a former model (33) in March 2008 after an 8-year relationship. She gave birth to their first son two months later.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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