Japanese Entertainment News & Info HERE! [part V]

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Yuko Ogura turns her attention to marriage after settling dispute with management

Entertainment Jul. 08, 2011 - 05:00AM JST ( 27 )



TOKYO —

TV personality Yuko Ogura, 27, is finally free of talent management company Avilla after months of legal wrangling. Media reported Thursday that a judge ruled in her favor, ending the contract between herself and the agency on July 4. Ogura said the decision will allow her to concentrate on preparing for her highly publicized marriage to hairdresser Isao Kikuchi, 40.

After the verdict, Ogura sent a message to all major media agencies in which she said: “I am sorry if recent disruptions to my work have inconvenienced you. I just want to assure you that I have turned a corner and I am ready to return to working as hard as I can. I really appreciate your continued support.”

Source: www.japantoday.com

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Sakai Miki, Park Jung Min co-star in mobile drama “8 Gatsu no Love Song”
Posted on July 3, 2011 by tokyograph



Actress Sakai Miki (33) will soon star in her first drama since she became a mother in March of last year. The show is a mobile drama titled “8 Gatsu no Love Song,” which will begin distribution through au’s LISMO service on August 5. Sakai’s co-star is Park Jung Min (24) of the Korean boy band SS501.

“8 Gatsu no Love Song” is about a Korean pop star and a Japanese housewife, who have a dangerous one-night romance. This is the first time that Sakai has played a role involving a relationship with a younger man. She commented that in the scene where Park Jung Min confesses his love and holds her hand, she was so nervous that her hands were sweating.

Sakai also just released her first essay today, titled “Sakai Miki no Baai – Shiawase Mikipedia.”

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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“Strangers 6" collaborative drama begins filming in Japan
Posted on July 3, 2011 by tokyograph



The Korean-Chinese-Japanese collaborative drama series “Strangers 6” began the Japan portion of its filming on July 1. It was originally scheduled to start shooting in March, but the Tohoku earthquake delayed the whole project until now and resulted in changes in the Korean and Chinese cast as well.

A still of a topless scene with actor Karasawa Toshiaki (48) was released today. It is reported that he underwent a month of training and lost 5 kilograms for the drama, which will feature his first true action scenes.

http://asiacue.com/images/persons/k/Kitamura,%20Kazuki_image.jpeg

“Strangers 6" is about a group of six experts from the police forces of Korea, China, and Japan who are secretly gathered to protect the countries’ economic futures. The Japanese part of the cast is being led by Karasawa but also includes Kikawada Masaya (31), Kitamura Kazuki (41), Kanno Misuzu (45), and Morita Suzuka (18). The Korean cast includes Oh Ji-ho (35) and Kim Hyo-Jin (27).



The drama’s budget is reported to be approximately 1 billion yen for 15 one-hour episodes. In Japan, the series will first be broadcast on WOWOW this coming winter, followed by a Fuji TV broadcast sometime in 2012. Korea and China are expected to air the series in early 2012, and there are plans for broadcasts in more than 30 Asian countries and territories.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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“Marumo no Okite” achieves big ratings for series finale
Posted on July 4, 2011 by tokyograph



The final episode of the Fuji TV drama series “Marumo no Okite” aired on Sunday. According to numbers released by Video Research Ltd., the episode achieved an impressive average rating of 23.9% in the Kanto region, and 20.6% in the Kansai region. The episode’s peak was 27.5%.

“Marumo no Okite” has been getting strong numbers since the beginning of the season, but it likely suffered due to airing in the same time slot as TBS’s “JIN.” That series ended last week, with a final episode that achieved 26.1% ratings (peak of 31.7%) and gave the entire series a 21.3% average.

Before the finale, the highest-rated episode of “Marumo no Okite” was two weeks earlier, at 17.2%. This means that the last episode scored almost 7 percentage points higher than the series’ peak. Overall, the final average for the series ended up at 15.8%.

The show’s theme song “Maru Maru Mori Mori!,” sung by child co-stars Ashida Mana (7) and Suzuki Fuku (7) debuted at #3 on the sales charts and has remained in the Top 10 up until now.

The final episode, which lasted 90 minutes long, also included a guest appearance by AKB48’s Maeda Atsuko (19). Maeda is starring in the new “Hanazakari no Kimitachi e ~ Ikemen Paradise” drama series, which premieres on July 10 in the same time slot.

Correction: Ashida Mana and Suzuki Fuku are 7 years old now, not 6.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Kazuki Saya marries theater director
Posted on July 4, 2011 by tokyograph



Talento Kazuki Saya (27) has just married stage director Kuramoto Tomoyuki (29), the head of the Austra Macondo theater troupe. Kazuki’s management agency announced on Monday that the couple submitted their marriage registration on July 3rd.

According to Kazuki’s agency, the two first got to know each other this year due to Kazuki’s appearance in Kuramoto’s play “Tokyo no Sora ni” in April. After the play’s run ended that same month, they began dating with the intention of marriage. The two are already living together. No plans have been announced for a wedding ceremony or reception.

Despite the typical speculation surrounding such a quick marriage, it is said that Kazuki is not pregnant, and she plans to continue her career as before.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Announcer Sugisaki Mika dating Seibu Lions pitcher Wakui Hideaki
Posted on July 4, 2011 by tokyograph



Freelance announcer Sugisaki Mika (32) is in a serious relationship with Saitama Seibu Lions’ ace pitcher Wakui Hideaki (25), it has been learned. A source familiar with the matter says that the two were introduced to each other through a friend at the start of this year, and they began dating in the spring.

Sugisaki’s management agency has confirmed that the two are dating, though it is said that there has not yet been any serious talk of marriage.

Sugisaki is most recognizable as the main caster for Fuji TV’s news show “Mezanew,” which airs on weekdays at 4:00 in the morning.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Berryz Koubou, C-ute star in horror film “Ousama Game”
Posted on July 4, 2011 by tokyograph



Just a few weeks ago, it was announced that idol groups Berryz Koubou and °C-ute are starring together in a stage adaptation of “Sengoku Jieitai.” It turns out that they have another collaboration in the works, in the form of a movie based on a popular mobile phone novel.

The 12 combined members of the two groups will play high school students in a suspense/horror story called “Ousama Game.” Kumai Yurina (Berryz Koubou) and Suzuki Airi (°C-ute) have the starring roles.

The story begins to unfold when Honda Chiemi (Kumai) and her childhood friend Nobuaki (played by actor Sakurada Dori) receive an email one night from a sender named “Ousama” (“king”). The message tells them that they must carry out certain orders within 24 hours or else face punishment. After that, everyone in their class begins receiving similar emails, and things begin to escalate.



Yoshizawa Hitomi, also affiliated with Hello! Project, will play the teacher of the class.

Including side stories, the original “Ousama Game” has grown into a series of four works. Publisher Futabasha has released them in novel form, and they have also been turned into comics as well.

Horror director Tsuruta Norio (“Orochi,” “Ring 0: Birthday”) is in charge of the film. Theatrical release is scheduled for this winter.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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“Maru Maru Mori Mori” tops Recochoku rankings for first half of 2011
Posted on July 4, 2011 by tokyograph



Mobile download site Recochoku has released a partial ranking for the first half of 2011. The popular song “Maru Maru Mori Mori!,” which is the theme song of the hit drama series “Marumo no Okite,” achieved the unprecedented feat of taking #1 in seven different categories.

“Maru Maru Mori Mori!” is sung by “Marumo no Okite” co-stars Ashida Mana (7) and Suzuki Fuku (7). The song and its simple dance has become a phenomenon, pushing the CD single as high as #1 on the daily charts and #3 on the weekly charts. It has also remained in the top 10 for the past five weeks.

On Recochoku, the song’s success is even more apparent, outperforming even AKB48’s “Everyday, Kachuusha.” It ranked #1 in the overall Recochoku download chart, as well as the categories for chaku-uta, video clip, chakushin movie, melody call, new artist (single downloads), and new artist (chaku-uta).

The full rankings will be available soon on the Recochoku website.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Komori Jun to marry former model Imai Ryo
Posted on July 5, 2011 by tokyograph



Fashion model and talento Komori Jun (25) is reportedly engaged to Imai Ryo (26), a former men's egg model who currently runs an apparel brand. Komori’s agency has confirmed their relationship, and newspapers are reporting that the pair plan to register their marriage on Tanabata (July 7).

Komori and Imai began dating around the end of last year, after they both appeared in the music video for Zushi San Kyoudai’s “Junpaku no Hanayome.” Komori recently mentioned on a variety show that she was proposed to on April 1st, clarifying that it wasn’t an April Fools’ joke. The two are currently living together.

After they register their marriage on July 7, it is expected that they will hold a press conference that same day. A wedding ceremony and party are planned for September.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Toda Erika, Kase Ryo return for “SPEC” movie, special
Posted on July 7, 2011 by tokyograph



The hit drama series “SPEC ~Keishichou Kouanbu Kouan Daigoka Mishou Jiken Tokubetsu Taisakugakari Jikenbo~” from last year is going to continue in the form of a special episode and a theatrical movie. Toda Erika (22) and Kase Ryo (36) will return as co-stars.

Originally broadcast during the fall of 2010, “SPEC” was the spiritual successor to the 1999 drama series “Keizoku.” Toda and Kase played two police detectives dealing with unnatural cases, leading them into confrontation against people with special powers known as SPECs.

The special episode will air before the release of the movie, though no specific broadcast date has been announced yet. The episode is tentatively titled “SPEC ~Keishichou Kouanbu Kouan Daigoka Mishou Jiken Tokubetsu Taisakugakari Jikenbo~ Shou” and will take place one year after the drama series, focusing on addressing some of the questions that were left unanswered.

The movie is tentatively titled  ”SPEC ~Keishichou Kouanbu Kouan Daigoka Mishou Jiken Tokubetsu Taisakugakari Jikenbo~ Ten.” Like the original series and the special episode, Tsutsumi Yukihiko (55) will direct. Details are still unknown, but the release has been scheduled for spring 2012.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Charts: Hey! Say! JUMP, Tokyo Jihen
Posted on July 6, 2011 by tokyograph



Hey! Say! JUMP topped the sales charts this week with their latest single “OVER,” selling over 265,000 copies. This breaks their personal record for highest first-week sales, surpassing their 2007 debut single “Ultra Music Power” (247,000). They now have 7 consecutive #1 singles starting from their debut.

    Hey! Say! JUMP – OVER – 265,390
    KARA – GO GO Summer! – 113,873
    no3b – Kuchibiru Furezu... – 100,039
    L'Arc~en~Ciel – GOOD LUCK MY WAY – 94,826
    YGA – Jounetsu Heroine – 17,440
    Kaoru to Yuki, Tama ni Mook – Maru Maru Mori Mori! – 15,647
    miwa – 441 – 15,544
    Maeda Atsuko – Flower – 15,199
    Superfly – Aa – 13,086
    Mano Erina – My Days for You – 11,191



In albums, Tokyo Jihen’s “Daihakken” sold 82,000 copies to rank 1st. This is their third album to top the charts, and their second in a row.

    Tokyo Jihen – Daihakken – 82,396
    Nishino Kana – Thank you, Love – 60,077
    Lady Gaga – Born This Way – 54,114
    DREAMS COME TRUE – THE SOUL FOR THE PEOPLE ~Higashi Nihon Daishinsai Shien Best Album~ – 37,618
    Superfly – Mind Travel – 36,312
    Shoujo Jidai – GIRLS' GENERATION – 28,026
    AKB48 – Koko ni Ita Koto – 20,088
    Quruli – Best of Quruli / TOWER OF MUSIC LOVER 2 – 19,402
    Shonannokaze – Shonannokaze ~Single Best~ – 19,364
    Beyonce – 4 – 18,984



On the DVD charts, AKB48’s music video collection “AKB ga Ippai ~The Best Music Video~” sold an additional 66,000 copies in its second week, remaining in the #1 spot. Combined with last week’s numbers, it now has reached total sales of 275,000, making it the best-selling music DVD by a female artist ever. The previous record holder was Kuraki Mai’s “FIRST CUT,” which has sold 233,000 copies.

AKB48 is now just the 6th female artist to top the DVD charts in back-to-back weeks, after Utada Hikaru, Morning Musume, Amuro Namie, KARA, and the Hello! Project shuffle units Kiiro 5, Aoiro 7, and Akagumi 4.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Kirin’s Tamura Hiroshi marries
Posted on July 7, 2011 by tokyograph



Comedian Tamura Hiroshi (31), one half of the duo Kirin, has just tied the knot. He and his wife registered their marriage on July 7, the typical date of the Tanabata festival.

Tamura’s wife is said to be a 23-year-old woman originally from Osaka. They were introduced to each other by a friend about two years ago, and they began dating shortly after that. Tamura proposed last month, and the woman decided on Tanabata as their marriage date. The two are currently living together.

At the moment, there have been no plans announced for a wedding ceremony or a party.

Tamura’s agency Yoshimoto Kogyo said that his wife is not currently pregnant, but Tamura declared that he wants to have lots of children in the future.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Emi Takei receives Ms Lilly award

Entertainment Jul. 09, 2011 - 05:05AM JST ( 10 )



TOKYO —

Actress Emi Takei, 17, is the recipient of this year’s Ms Lilly award. This award is given annually by the HANA Cupid Cooperative to the person who best personifies the beauty of lillies. Previous recipients include Hitomi Kuroki, 50, Ryoko Hirosue, 30, and Maki Horikita, 22.

Takei, who is the youngest award winner to date, said: ” I was given a name which means ‘smiling like a blooming flower.’ I will be smiling like a blooming flower if I receive flowers on my birthday - which is Dec 25.”

Source: www.japantoday.com

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“Koko ga Uwasa no El Palacio” being adapted to TV drama
Posted on July 9, 2011 by tokyograph

Aoyagi Takao’s comedy manga “Koko ga Uwasa no El Palacio” (also known as “Welcome to the El-Palacio”) is being turned into a live-action television series. TV Tokyo will broadcast the show this fall, though the time slot has not yet been announced.

“Koko ga Uwasa no El Palacio” is a popular series that is currently being published in Shogakukan’s Gessan magazine since 2009. The third collected volume was released this past May.

The story revolves around a man who loses his memory in a traffic accident and wakes up surrounded by the women of the El Palacio – a female professional wrestling group. Unable to regain his memory, he ends up living with the El Palacio and becoming their referee.

Details such as the cast assignments have not yet been revealed.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Ito Hideaki to star in NHK suspense drama series
Posted on July 9, 2011 by tokyograph



Broadcaster NHK has announced that actor Ito Hideaki (35) will star in a new drama series titled “Last Money ~Ai no Nedan~.” Inspired by a real-life series of murders for insurance money, the show is described as a tale of psychological suspense revolving around themes of love and money.

Ito, who has never before played the lead in an NHK series, has been cast as a claims adjuster for a life insurance company. While burdened with a past trauma involving an insurance claim, he begins investigating a woman suspected of marriage fraud, played by Takashima Reiko.

Supporting cast members include Nakamaru Yuichi (KAT-TUN), Matsushige Yutaka, Tabata Tomoko, Tanaka Tetsushi, Ibu Masato, and Natsuyagi Isao.

“Last Money” begins airing on September 13 in NHK’s Tuesday 10:00pm time slot and will continue for 7 episodes.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Yamashita brothers Shoon and Reon to resume activities with Puroland event
Posted on July 9, 2011 by tokyograph



Yamashita Shoon (22), a popular former member of the Johnny's group Ya-Ya-yah, is officially resuming his activities in the entertainment industry. His younger brother Yamashita Reon (19), who was also once a member of Johnny's Jr., will also be making a comeback as well.

It appears that the two will be working together a lot, especially since they recently launched an official blog together as the “Yamashita brothers.” They have started promoting an upcoming event called “SHOON commu’ presents NO LIMIT in Puroland” on August 19 at Tokyo’s Sanrio Puroland, where they will hold two “fan meeting”-like shows that will involve talk, singing, games, and even Hello Kitty. More information is available on the Puroland website.

Shoon was part of Johnny’s from 2001, when Ya-Ya-yah was formed. After the group disbanded in 2007, he began doing solo work, but he officially left Johnny’s Jimusho in February 2010 and halted his entertainment activities. Reon also left the agency around the same time.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Buono! stars in horror movie “Gomennasai”
Posted on July 9, 2011 by tokyograph



Hello! Project trio Buono! will star together in a movie for the first time. The movie is titled “Gomennasai” and is an adaptation of a popular mobile phone novel. Asato Mari (“Ju-on: Kuroi Shoujo”) is directing.

“Gomennasai” is a horror story set in a high school in the Kanagawa prefecture. The three main characters are Hidaka Yuka (Suzuki Airi), Kurobane Hinako (Natsuyaki Miyabi), and Sonoda Shiori (Tsugunaga Momoko). The story starts when Shiori is unable to beat the talented Hinako in a test, and she begins getting harassed about it. Hinako is later forced to write the script for a play that will be performed at the school festival, but from that point on, people around them begin to mysteriously die one by one.

The three members of Buono! will also apparently appear in secondary roles as themselves, addressing the audience about real-life horror stories.

The movie is scheduled to be released this fall. Buono! will also sing the theme song, which has not been given a title yet.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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A sip of champagne makes Itano feel 'really hot'

Entertainment Jul. 11, 2011 - 05:21AM JST ( 17 )



TOKYO —

Member of girl group AKB48 and solo performer Tomomi Itano, 20, held a special private live event in Shibuya to publicize the release of her second solo single, “Fui ni,” which will be released by King Records on July 13.

Itano, who turned 20 on July 3, told the press, “In the run-up to my birthday, I still didn’t feel like I was finally becoming an adult. It hadn’t sunk in yet. I’m looking forward to going back to my hometown and attending my coming-of-age ceremony with my old childhood friends.”

When asked how she felt now was finally able to legally drink alcohol, she replied, “Even a sip of champagne makes me really hot. On the other hand, I’ve never been completely drunk, so maybe I’m not as big a lightweight as I think I am. We’ll see.”

Source: www.japantoday.com

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NEW PEOPLE IN SAN FRANCISCO EXPANDS THE 2011 J-POP SUMMIT FESTIVAL FOR AUGUST

July 7, 2011 by J!-ENT

NEW PEOPLE ADDS A BIGGER DOSE OF JAPANESE POP CULTURE TO THE SUMMER AS IT EXPANDS THE 2011 J-POP SUMMIT FESTIVAL

Annual Bay Area Event Expands To 2-Days In August And Features Japanese Fashion Designers, Film & Anime Premieres, And The “Vocaloid” Phenomenon In A Special Weekend-Long Pop Culture Celebration In
San Francisco’s Japantown; Special Design Contest Also Announced

San Francisco, CA, July 7, 2011 – NEW PEOPLE, San Francisco’s dynamic entertainment destination showcasing the latest examples of Japanese popular culture, has announced the expansion of its annual J-Pop Summit Festival. The 2011 J-Pop Summit Festival will take place August 27th- 28th across the city’s Japantown.

The weekend-long celebration brings back many popular attractions that have made the J-Pop Summit Festival a must-attend event for fashion, film, anime and music fans as well as hipsters, pop culture enthusiasts, Bay Area residents, and as tourists visiting the city. A dedicated web site is now available at J-pop.com and will feature regular updates.

“The expansion of the J-Pop Summit Festival is a result of the overwhelming support from our partners and sponsors and strong attendance by a wide array of people from all backgrounds and interests,” says Seiji Horibuchi, president of NEW PEOPLE, Inc. “From rock music to fashion shows, film premieres, interactive video game displays, and a special focus this year on the ‘Vocaloid’ music phenomenon, there will be something for everyone at this year’s event! We look forward to announcing more details and additional participants and sponsors in coming weeks.”

“Vocaloid” music has become the latest pop phenomenon sweeping Japan and the trend is spreading fast to the U.S. with the advent of personalities like Hatsune Miku, who has become the world’s first true virtual pop star. The J-Pop Summit, where made her first film concert debut last year, returns for 2011 with even more exciting projects featuring Hatsune Miku. More details will be announced soon!

With the recent earthquake and tsunami tragedies in Japan still fresh in everyone’s minds, the J-Pop Summit Festival has incorporated multiple benefit events into the programming. New People and San Francisco Japantown merchants are partnering with Piapro.jp (run by Hatsune Miku’s Crypton Future Media), to host two unique design competitions.

The first is for a banner design, carrying the theme of “Hope for Japan’s Recovery,” to be displayed on Post Street, the main Japantown thoroughfare where the J-Pop Summit Festival will take place. The banner should feature at least one (or more) of the following Volcaloid characters: Hatsune Miku, Rin Kagamine, Len Kagamine, Luka Megurine, MEIKO or KAITO. Special charity goods with the winning design will be available at the J-Pop Summit to benefit Japan’s ongoing relief efforts. Grand Prize will be a roundtrip trip to San Francisco (flexible travel dates) from anywhere in the United States, furnished by NEW PEOPLE and the Japantown Merchants Association. For complete entry details, please visit J-pop.com.
The second competition will be to develop a new character design for “Hatsune Miku U.S. Version” and also will award the winner with a special Grand Prize roundtrip trip to San Francisco (flexible travel dates) from anywhere in the United States, furnished by Crypton Future Media. For complete entry details, please visit J-pop.com.

NEW PEOPLE opened in 2009 and has become a unique must-see attraction of San Francisco’s cultural landscape. The 20,000 square foot contemporary venue features the latest examples Japanese popular culture expressed though film, art, fashion, and a variety of specialty boutiques and ongoing monthly events. NEW PEOPLE is located at 1746 Post Street in the city’s Japantown.

About NEW PEOPLE, Inc.
Based in San Francisco, California, NEW PEOPLE, Inc. (www.newpeopleworld.com) offers the latest films, art, fashion and retail brands from Japan through its unique entertainment destination as well as through licensing and distribution of selective Japanese films. NEW PEOPLE Entertainment (www.newpeopleent.com), a film division of NEW PEOPLE, Inc. strives to offer the most entertaining motion pictures straight from the “Kingdom of Pop” for audiences of all ages, especially the manga and anime generation, in North America. Some titles include DEATH NOTE, GANTZ, KAMIKAZE GIRLS, and THE TASTE OF TEA.

Source: www.nt2099.com/J-ENT

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Model Shiho launches beauty book

Entertainment Jul. 12, 2011 - 05:43AM JST ( 4 )

TOKYO —



Fashion model Shiho this week launched her new book “Shiho’s Beauty Theory.” Shiho, who has been modeling since the age of 16, told the press she decided to condense the hints and tips she had accumulated over her 18 years in the industry into one easy to understand book.

Her husband, martial artist Yoshihiro Akiyama, 35, agreed that he thought the book
would sell and helped her get the project off the ground, she said.

Shiho, who is seven months pregnant, has decided not to inform the public of the gender of her child. When asked if she had thought of a name for the baby, she declined to answer, saying it would give the baby’s gender away.

However, she added: “Sometimes these things can be misinterpreted from scans. There are parts of the anatomy that can be missed, right?”

Source: www.japantoday.com