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NHK Asadora ratings end on a high note
Mon, October 1, 2007 (5:18am EDT)

NHK's morning drama series "Dondo Bare" ended its run on Saturday. The show started on April 2 with the lowest ratings for a premiere episode in Asadora history (14.9%), but the series finale achieved a strong 23.2% rating (17.8% in the Kansai region).

Overall, the series averaged a respectable 19.4% rating (15.7% in the Kansai region) over its six-month run.

NHK's next Asadora, "Chiritotechin," begins on Monday.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Actress Sawajiri Erika(21) is one of several major celebrities doing damage control in the last couple of days. In Sawajiri's case it follows harsh criticism of her recent grumpy behavior. On her official website today, she issued a statement formally apologizing to fans and organizers of last Friday's PR even for her new movie. While on stage before the screening she appeared sorely pissed off about something, kept her arms folded, and gave only brief and testy replies to questions. In her statement, she acknowledged her bad behavior and that she had "betrayed" her fans, and vowed to learn from the experience. Over the weekend, her attitude was criticized as unprofessional and she was slammed by self-appointed showbiz watchdog Wada Akiko (57). She said it had reinforced her image as a self-centered "jo-sama" or movie queen.

Source: www.japan-zone.com

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Meanwhile, legendary guitarist Hotei Tomoyasu (45) has been fined

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Yuko Takeuchi to star in "Team Batista"
Mon, October 1, 2007 (10:27pm EDT)



Takeru Kaido's medical mystery novel "Team Batista no Eikou" is finally being turned into a movie. The book won the grand prize of the "Kono Mystery ga Sugoi! Awards" in 2005, and its popularity resulted in roughly 25 movie studios and television networks fighting over adaptation rights. In the end, TBS won out, and is teaming with Toho to release a film on February 9 of next year.

The story revolves around a university hospital and a team of doctors specializing in the Batista procedure, an alternative to heart transplantation. The team has a 100% success rate until they perform three consecutive operations that result in the patient's death. An internal investigation begins to determine the reasons for the failures.

The protagonist of the novel is a male doctor in his forties, but TBS suggested replacing the character with a young female. As a result, Yuko Takeuchi now plays the lead as Taguchi, a doctor in charge of the investigation. She initially declares the incidents as accidental deaths, but an eccentric employee from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (played by Hiroshi Abe) suddenly appears and asserts that the deaths were actually murders. Together, the two continue to probe the matter.

Yoshihiro Nakamura is directing. Filming begins on the 7th.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Tackey gets own radio show
Mon, October 1, 2007 (10:45pm EDT)



On the 6th, Nippon Broadcasting System will launch "Tackey no Takizawa Denpajo," the first regular radio show for Tackey & Tsubasa member Hideaki Takizawa. The program will have no specific genre, covering a variety of topics. Takizawa hopes to interact with listeners and take their requests to shape the direction of the show.

"Tackey no Takizawa Denpajo" will air at 10:30pm on Saturdays.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Kadokawa producing new singer
Mon, October 1, 2007 (11:18pm EDT)

Mega-producer Haruki Kadokawa is working on the debut of a new singer, a 25-year-old going by the name of ASUKA. She made her public debut on Monday, when it was announced that her first single, "Shirotsubaki Benitsubaki," will be released November 14.

Kadokawa has recruited some top talent for ASUKA's first song. While he will be producing the music video, famous photographer Kishin Shinoyama is in charge of the CD jacket, and the music is being created by lyricist Takashi Matsumoto and composers Tatsuro Mashiko and Satoshi Takebe.

The producer met the woman last year when she attended his guest lectures at Onomichi University. He happened to hear her sing at an event after the lectures, and he was immediately impressed.

Kadokawa was responsible for building up popular idols such as Hiroko Yakushimaru and Tomoyo Harada, but ASUKA is his first new artist of the 21st century.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Naoto Takenaka directing comedy zombie flick
Tue, October 2, 2007 (12:41am EDT)



Actor Naoto Takenaka is directing and acting in a horror comedy called "Yamagata Scream." He has previously directed five films since 1991, but this will be his first comedy, despite being known best for his humorous roles as an actor.

The story is set in a village in the Yamagata prefecture, inspired by tales of the ochimusha of the Taira clan. The ochimusha were warriors who, after being defeated in battle, fled to remote areas of Japan and established small towns to live in. In the film, a businessman and a high school girl arrive in the village and accidentally unearth one of the Taira graves, awakening the zombies of the ochimusha. Takenaka will play the "zombie general."

Takenaka is also partly involved with the script and other details. He is reportedly aiming to avoid the use of CG as much as possible.

Few production details are known, other than the involvement of writer Yasushi Akimoto in the film's planning. The movie's projected release date is in 2009, but foreign companies have already expressed interest in distribution.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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"Chiritotechin" starts off at 17.1%[/b[
Tue, October 2, 2007 (2:11am EDT)

The first episode of NHK's morning drama "Chiritotechin" aired on Monday. According to figures from Video Research Ltd., the premiere drew ratings of 17.1% in the Kanto area, and 16.2% in the Kansai area. This is the third worst start for an Asadora (fifth worst for the Kansai area), beating only the recently finished "Dondo Bare" (14.9%) and the 2005 series "Fight" (16.9%).

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Takarazuka revives "Me And My Girl"
Tue, October 2, 2007 (3:06am EDT)

The Takarazuka Revue announced on Monday that it will be reviving "Me And My Girl" for 2008. The Takarazuka version of the British musical was first performed in 1987 (starring Miyuki Tsurugi), and its next and last run was in 1995 (starring Yuki Amami with Kayo Asano). This time, the leads will be played by the Moon Troupe's top stars, Jun Sena and Kanami Ayano.

Performances will run from March 21 to May 5 at the Takarazuka Grand Theater in the Hyogo Prefecture, then from May 23 to July 6 at the Tokyo Takarazuka Theater.

The Takarazuka Revue is also making an appearance on a "SMAP x SMAP" special airing on October 8. Sena, Ayano, and 26 other Takarasiennes will perform during the S-LIVE corner of the show, which includes renditions of "Sumire no Hana Saku Koro" and SMAP's "Sekai ni Hitotsu Dake no Hana."

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Melt-Banana announces U.S. tour
Tue, October 2, 2007 (5:44am EDT)



Rock band Melt-Banana has announced their "Bambi's Revenge USA Tour," starting on October 17 and ending on December 8. They will be performing almost every day in cities across the country. Their schedule can be seen on MySpace or on their official site, though some shows still have yet to be announced.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Yoji Yamada to create film with students
Tue, October 2, 2007 (6:24pm EDT)

Director Yoji Yamada will be collaborating with students to create a new film, it was announced on Sunday. The project is a joint effort between Shochiku and Kyoto's Ritsumeikan University, where Yamada is a guest instructor. Tentatively titled "Kyoto Uzumasa Koimonogatari," the film will be set in the city's Uzumasa district, once known as the "Hollywood of Japan."

The movie is part of a larger project to nurture potential industry talent. Shochiku's Kyoto studio is undergoing renovation, and in 2009 the studio will establish a training facility for Ritsumeikan students, using them as research interns.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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[JAPAN] “Kill Bill” actress awarded best in leather



Actress Kuriyama Chiaki has won an award for best actress in leather.

According to an article on Daily Mainichi, “Actress Chiaki Kuriyama, who appeared in Quentin Tarantino’s “Kill Bill: Vol. 1,” has been awarded the annual best-looking celebrity in leather title.”

“Clad in a black leather one-piece suit, Kuriyama appeared excited about the honor she was given during an award ceremony held at the Omotesando Hills shopping complex in Tokyo’s Shibuya-ku on Monday.”

“I love leather because it can be enjoyed both when new and used. My family is also happy about the award,” the 22-year-old actress told reporters.”

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Sho Sakurai appointed as Volleyball World Cup caster
Wed, October 3, 2007 (5:02am EDT)



Sho Sakurai (of Arashi) has been chosen as the main caster for Fuji TV's broadcast of the 2007 Volleyball World Cup, which will last from November 2 to December 2.

The World Cup marks a significant event in Arashi's history - shortly after their debut, Arashi served as special supporters for the 1999 competition, and their debut single "A-RA-SHI" was used as the image song, bringing them widespread fame.

This time around, the new Johnny's group Hey! Say! JUMP will be providing support and the image song, "Ultra Music Power."

Sakurai will be working with announcer Rio Hirai in covering the event.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Utada breaks 10 million in digital sales for 2007
Wed, October 3, 2007 (6:28pm EDT)



On Wednesday, EMI announced that Hikaru Utada's digital sales for 2007 so far have reached 10,491,000. According to the firm, no artist in the world has previously had digital sales of over ten million in one year, let alone in just nine months.

"Flavor of Life" is responsible for most of the sales, having sold more than 7.3 million digital copies, while "Beautiful World" has sold more than 800,000.

Utada is releasing another single soon, titled "Stay Gold" (no exact release date announced yet). The song will be used in Asience commercials starting on the 11th.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Miho Takagi returns to acting in NHK drama
Wed, October 3, 2007 (6:54pm EDT)



Talento Miho Takagi is returning to acting after more than a decade. She will appear in NHK's short drama series "Hitogata Nagashi," which begins on December 1.

The drama focuses on the friendship of three women in their forties. Yasuko Sawaguchi plays the lead as a woman fighting against breast cancer. Takagi and Miyuki Matsuda play the other two main roles.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Oricon survey: who do you want as your teacher?
Wed, October 3, 2007 (8:35pm EDT)



Oricon asked 500 female high schoolers which celebrities (male and female) they would want as a teacher. Popular television dramas seem to have had a strong impact on the results, as the #1 choices were Yukie Nakama ("Gokusen") and Tetsuya Takeda (the "3 Nen B Gumi Kinpachi Sensei" series). In addition, the #3 spots were taken by Nanako Matsushima and Takashi Sorimachi, who both played teachers in "Great Teacher Onizuka."

For female celebrities, #2 was Kumi Koda. Kaori Manabe ranked 4th, followed by Masami Hisamoto. Hitomi Kuroki and aiko tied for 6th. The rest of the top ten were Rei Kikukawa, Yuki Amami (who also played a teacher in "The Queen's Classroom"), and Ryoko Shinohara.

Sho Sakurai ranked second among men. Masaharu Fukuyama was #4, and B'z member Koshi Inaba was #5. The bottom of the list included Naohito Fujiki, Tamori, and Hiroshi Tamaki. Sanma Akashiya, Koichi Domoto, and Akihito Okano (of Porno Graffiti) tied for 9th.

Who do you want as your teacher? (among females):

1) Yukie Nakama
2) Kumi Koda
3) Nanako Matsushima
4) kaori Manabe
5) Masami Hisamoto
6) Hitomi Kuroki
6) aiko
8) Rei Kikukawa
9) Yuki Amami
10) Ryoko Shinohara

Who do you want as your teacher? (among males):

1) Tetsuya Takeda
2) Sho Sakurai (Arashi)
3) Takashi Sorimachi
4) Masaharu Fukuyama
5) Koshi Inaba (B'z)
6) Naohito Fujiki
7) Tamori
8) Hiroshi Tamaki
9) Sanma Akashiya
10) Koichi Dohmoto (KinKi Kids)
10) Akihito Okano (Porno Graffitti)

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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mihimaru GT remakes Kylie Minogue for "Abarenbo Mama" theme
Thu, October 4, 2007 (5:13am EDT)



It was announced on Wednesday that mihimaru GT is in charge of the theme song for the Fuji TV drama series "Abarenbo Mama," which stars Aya Ueto and begins on the 16th.

The song is based on Kylie Minogue's 1987 hit "I Should Be So Lucky," also known as "Lucky Love" in Japan. mihimaru GT has set the song to a hip-hop tune and reworked the lyrics into Japanese, resulting in a rendition that is said to be very different from the original.

The new single, which is presumably also titled "Lucky Love," is scheduled to go on sale in November.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Otsuichi's "GOTH" goes to Hollywood
Thu, October 4, 2007 (5:58am EDT)

Movie studio Fox Atomic is looking to adapt Otsuichi's novel "GOTH," about two high schoolers who become involved in a series of murder mysteries.

According to Variety, the film is to be written and directed by J.T. Petty. Kadokawa Shoten, which published the novel and its subsequent manga adaptation, is serving as executive producer.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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"Heroes" star Masi Oka (32) joined the Japanese director and cast of "Midnight Eagle" for yesterday's world premiere in Hollywood. Stars Osawa Takao (39) and Takeuchi Yuko (27) said the event was all the more thrilling because it was held at the famous Grauman's Egyptian Theatre, the site of Hollywood's first-ever premiere in 1922. Also on stage were director Narushima Izuru (46) and actors Tamaki Hiroshi (27) and Fuji Tatsuya (66). Scheduled for release in Japan on November 23 and in the U.S. in early December, "Midnight Eagle" will be the first Japanese movie to open (almost) simultaneously in Japan and the U.S. following a tie up between Shochiku and Universal Pictures. It will also be the opening movie at the upcoming Tokyo International Film Festival. The plot revolves around a US stealth bomber that has gone down in Japan's Northern Alps.

Source: www.japan-zone.com

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[JAPAN] American model turn J-Pop singer Leah Dizon talks about being a J-Pop fan at the age of 12



Chris Betros of Japan Today (and Metropolis Magazine) recently interviewed model Leah Dizon as she talks about her career in Japan and also being a J-Pop fan at a young age in America.

According to the interview, “

“I always wanted to be a singer, and I loved dancing. It was very natural for me,” said Dizon, 21. “When I was 12, I started listening to J-pop and wanted to come to Japan, but I didn’t speak Japanese. I’d listen to the music and wonder what the words meant. It pulled me in. But I gave up on that dream for awhile. When I graduated, I moved to Hollywood to study acting and do modeling.”

“That’s when big things started happening. “I saw modeling as just a part-time job, but it got much bigger than I thought it would because of the Internet. One of my friends searched for my name on Yahoo China and Yahoo Japan and a million hits came up with message boards. I was really surprised. Then my old dream came back about pursuing a career in Japan.”

Source: www.tokyograph.com