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Japanese Entertainment News & Info HERE! [part IV]
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Meisa and Meisa enjoy a Kit Kat
Thursday 23rd September, 05:48 AM JST
TOKYO —
Actress Meisa Kuroki, 22, this week attended a launch event for a new ad announcing the first significant change in the flavor of Nestle’s Kit Kat snack in 37 years. She appeared onstage alongside a projected video of her Meisa Akagi, her fictional character in the commercials. Kuroki, who claims to “love black” and Akagi, clad in red, have become the faces of the new “adult” Kit Kat, with its crunchier texture and new black packaging.
When reporters asked Kuroki about her “relationship” with Akagi, she said, “When people tell me she’s cute, I feel like it’s a compliment to me too. We’re often told we look alike, but we’re not twins. She’s my protege.”
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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Rina Uchiyama stars in "Tooku no Sora"
Wed, September 22, 2010 (11:56am EDT)
Information about the movie "Tooku no Sora" was just released this week, even though it opens on September 25. The film, described as a love story, is the first starring role for actress Rina Uchiyama (28) since 2006.
Uchiyama plays a young woman whose mother (Fukumi Kuroda) is a Zainichi Korean. Although she already has a boyfriend, she becomes interested in a man at work (Kim Eung Soo) who has just been transferred from Korea. However, she learns that the man had a fateful encounter with her mother 30 years earlier, during the Gwangju massacre in 1980.
"Tooku no Sora" is directed by Haruo Inoue. Other cast members include Sayuri Oyamada, Kensuke Yamagishi, and Masayo Utsunomiya. Screenings will start with a theater in Shinjuku on September 25, followed by several more theaters in October and November.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Charts: NEWS, EXILE
Wed, September 22, 2010 (12:48pm EDT)
NEWS claimed #1 on the sales charts this week with their 4th album "LIVE," selling 156,000 copies. This is their fourth consecutive chart-topping album, but it also gives them their 20th consecutive chart-topping release (includes albums, singles, and music DVDs).
Foreign artists Linkin Park and Maroon 5 ranked #2 and #4 respectively with their latest albums. A Vocaloid collection entered at #5, while KREVA, Rina Aiuchi, and THE BACK HORN took the #7 through #9 spots.
On the singles chart, EXILE hit #1 with "Motto Tsuyoku," selling 152,000 copies. This gives them their first number-one single (by Oricon's classification) since last summer.
Also in the top ten this week were new singles from UVERworld (#2), YUKI (#4), Takamiy (#5), Erina Mano (#7), and THE BAWDIES (#8).
On the DVD chart, Hey! Say! JUMP sold 88,000 copies of their new release, giving them the #1 overall spot and their highest first-week DVD sales ever. Meanwhile, the box set for the "Kaibutsu-kun" drama series (starring Arashi's Satoshi Ohno) was #2 at roughly 22,000 copies. That number surpassed the overall sales for popular American shows such as the seventh season of "24" (21,705 copies) and Volume 1 of the first season of "Fringe" (21,526) to become the current highest-selling DVD for any drama series so far this year.
On the Blu-ray rankings, the "K-On!!" anime series ranked #1 with 28,000 copies of its 3rd volume. This gives the franchise (including the first season) total Blu-ray sales of 348,000 copies, overtaking "Bakemonogatari" (331,000 copies) as the #1 anime series in history on Blu-ray.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Models Maiko Takahashi, Nozomi Watanabe cover PENICILLIN's "Romance"
Wed, September 22, 2010 (1:18pm EDT)
Fashion model Maiko Takahashi (25) is teaming up with model and artist Nozomi Watanabe (21) to form a musical duo called anju. They will release their first song digitally on October 20, titled "eye love you ~Romance~."
The song features vocalist HAKUEI of the band PENICILLIN, and it is described as a remake of PENICILLIN's 1998 song "Romance."
Takahashi is well known as a top model for the magazine JELLY. In March 2009, she made her CD debut on the LGYankees song "Nostalgia" (released under the artist name "Maich x LGYankees").
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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AKB48 to represent Japan at Asia Song Festival
Wed, September 22, 2010 (9:34pm EDT)
Idol group AKB48 is now confirmed as one of the artists for the upcoming Asia Song Festival, which is being held in Seoul, Korea, on October 23.
This is the 7th year for the festival, which gathers top artists from several Asian countries. In past years, Japan has been represented by Arashi, Kumi Koda, Ayumi Hamasaki, V6, and others.
Some of the Japanese press are playing up the fact that for the first time, the extremely popular AKB48 will be performing on the same stage as Korean girl group KARA, who recently debuted in Japan and have been selling very well.
AKB48 plans to send 16 members to the festival, including Yuko Oshima (21) and Rino Sashihara (17).
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Aya Ueto, Go Morita break up after 8 years
Wed, September 22, 2010 (9:01pm EDT)
 
It is being reported that actress Aya Ueto (25) and V6 member Go Morita (31) have broken up, ending a romance that lasted nearly 8 years. Based on information from multiple sources, it appears that they separated in May, about a month after they first publicly acknowledged their relationship.
Rumors about Ueto and Morita started at the end of 2002, when a magazine published an article claiming that they were dating. Neither side acknowledged those rumors until April of this year, when Ueto confirmed that she was in a relationship. At that time, it was also reported that the two were getting close to marriage.
After those reports of imminent marriage, it is said that Ueto and Morita re-examined their plans for the future. Ueto apparently has a strong desire to get married, but based on the fact that Morita is part of an idol group and both of their schedules are so busy that they often cannot meet, they mutually decided to break up and focus on their careers for now. Sources assure that this is not the result of a fight, nor has either side found someone new.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Post Last Edit by whitedove at 27-9-2010 15:14
Rolling Stones fans thrilled at screening of rare film in Tokyo
Thursday 23rd September, 02:06 PM JST
TOKYO —
Hundreds of Rolling Stones fans were thrilled Thursday during a screening at Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo of a rare film about the legendary British rock group’s 1972 concert tour. The film ‘‘Ladies and Gentlemen,’’ featuring footage of gigs during the band’s American tour, had been put in mothballs after premiering in New York in 1974 until it was remastered earlier this year, according to its promoters in Japan.
The 83-minute movie covers the band’s concerts in 1972 following the release of the album ‘‘Exile on Main St.,’’ a time regarded as the heyday of the group’s live performances. Screenings began in the United States and Europe last week ahead of the DVD release of the film in Japan and overseas in October, the promoters said.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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Aya Ueto becomes Tomei Expressway PR spokeswoman
Friday 24th September, 03:19 AM JST
TOKYO —
Singer Aya Ueto has been named 2010 Tomei Expressway Maintenance PR character and will appear in TV commercials and on posters to inform the public about the maintenance work.
Child commercial star Seishiro Kato, 9, will act alongside Ueto in the campaign. “I was very excited to act with Seishiro. He’s my hero,” gushed Ueto.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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The New Kings of Comedy
September 24, 2010
Manzai duo King of Comedy are living up to their name. The pair won the final round of the annual "King of Conto 2010" comedy battle on TBS last night. They took home ¥10 million in prize money, though they jokingly complained that their management agency will be taking 40%. Asked how he would use his share, Takahashi Kenichi (39) said he would help pay off his father's debts. "But we need to win this another eight times..." Takahashi is the tsukkomi of the duo, and his boke partner is Konno Hiroshi (31).
The competition, one of several that have become popular over the last couple of years, had 3009 acts vying for the prize money and the exposure that can help an up-and-coming act make a breakthrough. King of Comedy are already pretty established and in the 10th year of their career. They followed the example of sempai duo Untouchable in borrowing their stage name from the title of a Robert De Niro movie. Takahashi was arrested in 2007 for allegedly groping a female passenger on a Tokyo subway train, though the case was never taken to court.
The Japanese word "conto" comes from the French "conte" and is used to describe a comedy skit or routine.
Source: www.japan-zone.com |
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Tatsuya Fujiwara becomes "25-year-old grandfather"
Thu, September 23, 2010 (8:05pm EDT)
Actor Tatsuya Fujiwara (28) is taking on his first role in a TV comedy series, titled "Ojiichan wa 25 Sai." The show is being directed by Yasuo Baba, whose past works include the films "Watashi wo Ski Ni Tsuretette" and "Bubble e Go!! Time Machine wa Drum Shiki."
Fujiwara stars as a man who was in an accident on a snowy mountain 46 years ago. His frozen body is discovered in the present day, and despite being actually 71 years old, he has the appearance and personality of a 25-year-old. He also learns that at his old home in Oshiage, Tokyo, his son (played by Katsumi Takahashi) is now 52 years old and is raising two children of his own - a 25-year-old son (Shunsuke Daito) and a 20-year-old daughter (Kana Kurashina).
  
Naturally, Fujiwara's character knows nothing about the past 46 years, so things such as mobile phones and concepts such as hikikomori are completely new to him.
The series will have a short run on TBS, starting on November 15 and ending on November 25. For those two weeks, it will air on Mondays through Thursdays at 11:50pm, for a total of 8 half-hour episodes.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Girls to Men holds debut performance
Thu, September 23, 2010 (8:32pm EDT)
A new group called Girls to Men held their first live performance in Tokyo on Thursday. The group consists of four women with gender identity disorder who received hormone replacement therapy at the same hospital.
The leader of Girls to Men is SAKUYA (21), who was once part of the female idol group Seifuku Kojo Iinkai under the name Yui Takada. The other members go by the names YUSHIN, REO, and TOWA. During their event on Thursday, they all talked about their hardships dealing with gender identity disorder. YUSHIN (24) revealed that she has been fighting depression since the age of 18.
The group's debut song is "Koe wo Kiite," scheduled for release on December 1.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Yusuke Yamamoto has a girlfriend
Thu, September 23, 2010 (7:14pm EDT)
This week's issue of FRIDAY reports that young actor Yusuke Yamamoto (22) was seen
with a woman at his apartment earlier this month. The woman, said to be 21 years old,
entered the apartment building together with Yamamoto and spent the night there. The
two left the building at different times the next morning.
FRIDAY says that Yamamoto and the woman have been dating for less than a month.
Yamamoto's agency also stated that he met the woman about 1 or 2 months ago, but
described her as a close friend. The company asserted that work should be the priority
for Yamamoto, and they have told him that directly.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Ayaka speaks about Hiro Mizushima leaving Ken-on
Thu, September 23, 2010 (7:33pm EDT)
Earlier this week, the entertainment world was surprised by the news of actor Hiro
Mizushima (26) leaving his management agency Ken-on in order to pursue writing. On
Thursday, some information about the situation was revealed on the Fuji TV program
"Tokudane!"
 
Singer Ayaka (22), who is married to Mizushima, replied to an e-mail sent by the show's
newscaster Tomoaki Ogura (63). Ogura summarized her response by highlighting four
major points:
Ayaka also left Ken-on at the end of last year.
Mizushima will be focusing on writing and creating works, but his activities will also
include acting.
The company that Mizushima and Ayaka have started is in charge of managing Ayaka's
music.
The two plan on continuing their activities independently, without a management
agency.
Ayaka's response contradicts Ken-on's statement earlier this week, which stated that
Ayaka was still signed with the agency and that her contract would not be affected.
Ken-on has not yet commented on Ayaka's statements.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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'Lion King' musical logs 7,000th performance
TOKYO —
The musical ‘‘The Lion King’’ of Shiki Theatrical Co held its 7,000th performance in Tokyo on Sunday, attaining the mark in 11 years and nine months of performances in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and Fukuoka.
‘‘I thank you from the bottom of my heart, representing all the animals and plants in the savanna,’’ actor Akihiko Fukamizu, who plays the villain lion ‘‘Scar,’’ told the audience in the curtain call.
The record of a 7,000-mark attained in 11 years and nine months is the shortest among theatrical plays in Japan, according to Shiki, which has performed the musical since 1998 in cooperation with Disney.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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Fujiwara, Bai hit it off over co-acting wish
Saturday 25th September, 06:58 AM JST
TAIPEI —
Japanese actress Norika Fujiwara and Taiwanese top model Bianca Bai hit it off while exchanging pleasantries and talking about a day they can perform together during a recent event in Taipei.
‘‘She is so pretty and cute. I want to costar with her as sisters,’’ Fujiwara said to Bai, who returned the compliment, saying Fujiwara has ‘‘both graceful and sexy’’ qualities.
Bai added that she will be happy to just work with her, let alone star as sisters in the event in which Fujiwara promoted kiwi fruit desserts that she produced with the Zespri brand name.
‘‘I’m ready for a paparazzi tour…I even enjoy revealing all about my lifestyle such as fashion and dining,’’ Fujiwara said after indicating she was shocked with the round-the-clock media coverage of her last time she came to Taiwan eight years ago.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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Michiko Kichise requests Twitter, 2 Channel reviews of her movie
Sunday 26th September, 05:00 AM JST
OSAKA —
Michiko Kichise, star of Akira Ogata’s new movie “Elevator to the Gallows,” took the stage at a recent preview screening event in Osaka to introduce herself to the audience. It had been a year since she and the director first discussed the movie in Osaka over “Dojima rolls and ‘takoyaki’ (griddled dough balls filled with octopus chunks),” she said playfully.
The movie is a remake of the 1958 French film “Ascenseur pour l’Echafaud” directed by Louis Malle. Although the original was a classic, Kichise said there are plenty of secrets left for modern day audiences and chose her words carefully to avoid spoilers.
“When you’ve finished watching it, please be sure to say good things about the movie on 2 Channel and Twitter.”
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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Sylvester Stallone impressed with sumo
Sunday 26th September, 06:22 AM JST
TOKYO —
On a day when Mongolian grand champion Hakuho won his 16th career Emperor’s Cup, the man known for his hard-hitting action films dropped by the autumn meet to witness live bouts in the Japanese national sport.
Actor Sylvester Stallone, who is in Japan promoting his new hit movie ‘‘The Expendables,’’ said he was impressed by the simplicity of sumo after watching matches at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan.
‘‘This is the first time I’ve actually seen sumo live. I was very impressed. It’s so fantastic about the fury of the sport,’’ said Stallone. ‘‘It’s so easy to follow. The rules are simple. It’s why people love it. It’s man versus man.’‘
Stallone, 64, was reunited with former yokozuna Chiyonofuji, currently stablemaster Kokonoe, who he spent time with here on his last trip.
‘‘The last time I saw him he took me to his house. I do action in the movies but he does it for real. He’s a real superstar,’’ said Stallone, who was accompanied by Dolph Lundgren, who played his adversary Ivan Drago in “Rocky IV.”
Hakuho, who has stretched his endless winning streak to 61 bouts, had a photo shoot with the Italian Stallion. The yokozuna lifted up the Hollywood star for the cameras.
‘‘He was heavy. I have no arm strength,’’ Hakuho said.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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Kumi Koda to release cover album to mark 10th anniversary
Monday 27th September, 04:01 AM JST
TOKYO —
Celebrating her 10th year in the spotlight, singer Kumi Koda, 27, will release a cover album on Oct 13 that will feature covers of Momoe Yamaguchi’s “Sayonara no Mukou Gawa” and Seiko Matsuda’s “Sweet Memories,” among other popular songs from several generations. The album has reportedly been three years in the making.
The concept for the album is popular Japanese songs through the ages, originally sung by popular divas of Japan past. Additionally, Koda will sing several pieces by male performers, including Hiromi Go’s “I Can’t Say” and Anzen Chitai’s “Wine-Red Heart.”
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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AKB48 pick singers via rock-paper-scissors
Monday 27th September, 05:29 AM JST
TOKYO —
All-girl pop idol group AKB48 played rock-paper-scissors in front of around 11,000 fans at the Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo recently to select 16 members to sing on their 19th single CD, which will go on sale in December.
Through the ‘‘janken’’ hand game, Mayumi Uchida, 16, won the right to take center stage when singing the new song.
‘‘I was able to win first place because you all encouraged me,’’ a tearful Uchida told the audience upon her victory.
A total of 51 members including interns took part in the selection event.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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